How you doing...?

So our last pre-season match drew to a close on Saturday evening, but not our last friendly game of the season (more details to follow), as we waved goodbye to Frenford with Guinness drunk and Shepherd's Pies eaten. We have played 7 matches since lockdown was lifted. 3 times we've played strong Div 1 45 teams, 2 against 35+ teams and twice against some of the best Premier Division SuperVets teams in the County. We have won 3 , lost 3 and as of yesterday evening, one result was shared.

Again featuring a full and strong squad, albeit with 4 absences and an injury, formations were tinkered with in both halves to provide options for the first 4 weeks of the season and problems for the Gaffer's team selection. Welcoming Steve "Tiny" Allen back between the sticks, with Woodsy, Barno & Brutey returning after a week missing to accompany James in the back line, we unusually kicked down the ever so slight gradient in the first half against our Premier Division opponents. it was a battle from the start with robust challenges, half chances and frenetic football. Bumble and Spencer providing the width and service to Weathers and Holly. Flashed crosses. missed by an inch headers and a Gazza-style "If only his studs were a little longer" slide in front of goal by Holly meant that we were goalless by the time a breakdown in communication at the back led to the opposition sneaking between keeper and defender to slot home. unbowed, we kept pressing and John Deamer should have opened his Roding account from 12 yards out following a slick move down the left.

Half time came and changes were rung to accommodate a change in formation, Full backs were refreshed, little Paul came into midfield, complemented by an new attack line up.

Building on the progression of the first 45 mins, we settled back into our stride and it was not long before the intelligence, running and selflessness of Sonic and Splinters started to tell. Finding himself in half a yard of space 18 yards out, Splinters arrowed his shot round the keeper into the billowing net. Parity restored and that is how it remained for the remainder.

There are 2 or 3 injury scares that will need checking up on before the first league game next week vs Chelmer. Difficult decisions will have to be made over who makes the 16 from the squad of 22. We already have 4 missing. We also have a Cup Final coming up in early October and only those registered last season are eligible to play, so I have to take into account this, protecting players for such a prestigious game balanced with a winning games and fitness - more friendlies are likely in mid-weeks. At our age, resting a game is often needed to help the body recover (particularly on hard surfaces), as well as fulfilling personal commitments at home. We will play more games this year than we did last year... even if we get knocked out of the Cups in the 1st Round, so playing time will not be an issue for those that recognise this is a squad sport. How are we doing? As a collective, we are in good shape, with good players competing for places and supporting each other, whilst being constructively critical when needed, We look forward to the season ahead with expectations of doing better than we did last year. The new WotW trophy returns next week