Game of opinions…

The 2nd game of the season saw Roding take on Old Parms in the Essex Vets Prem League, after a chastening 3-0 defeat the week before at Harold Hill.

An unfamiliar 3pm kick off was matched by missing personnel, rejigged formation and a old friend as a new signing.

Football is all about opinions and options, particularly post-match post-mortems and in the week the Gaffer had to dig deep in his Dummies Guide to Management to find answers to the problems of the past week.

Holly was late due to the petrol pump pandemic, Woodsy was ill in bed getting a bed bath and the Reserves were supported by the Squad to ensure their game went ahead. Terry was busy with Frances, Dom away at a Spa weekend, Lux at family party, Steve Martin in Poland… the list went on. In came Ev after his round of golf, Dan made a welcome return and Lee “I’m younger than I look” Judges made his debut.

Employing video technology for the first time, Roding eased through the gears when the outstanding Dave Baird intercepted a through ball, laid it to Barno, to Johnny Deamer, who passed to the debutant before sprinting 50yards upfield. Judges ignored him, to thread an eye-of-the-needle pass to Splinters who slotted home from 22yards whilst ignoring the attention of 2 defenders and the Goalkeeper.

Controversy shortly followed when a Barno Howitzer was handled by the onrushing keeper a full 2 yards outside his area. The speed of the attack left the referee some distance away and the Lino didn’t flag. Protestations followed whilst Old Parms went down the other end to level up. Subsequent video footage proved the offence but by then it was too late.

Normal service was resumed before half time when new boy, AFTV and noW star of his own social media channel, Lee Judges swung in a corner for Holly to head home from 8 yards.

It was a comfortably-managed game, even if the heatmap data implied we were defensively-minded and in truth a series of spurned chances, poor decision making and keeper saves prevented us from wrapping up the game earlier, with then the freedom to flex the depth and strength of the whole Matchday squad.

With a few minutes remaining, Judges completed his hat-trick of assists and sent Holly free, racing from his own half to slot home for a 3-1 victory.

The downside to the day, was not every got game time. It’s a game based on opinions (none more so than after a North London Derby) and judgement calls have to be made whether to stick or twist. I stuck.

Well done to all involved and to our Reserves who notched up their first point as a new outfit

Deano

Sibbo

Babs

StepToe

Bairdy

Barno

Road Runner

Ev

Weathers

Judges

Holly (2)

Splinters (1)

Crocks

Bumble

Boorsy