I’ve got 99 problems, but a pitch ain’t one of them...

On a day when we scored our 99th goal and ate a 99-style post-match meal is was good to be back to normal. Normal means for White Roding Supervets, playing at Home, a return to changing room use, a small crowd of proud parents (yes you did read that right), interested onlookers from around the Essex Vets League family, post-match hospitality and bar full of chat for a couple of hours after.

When I was asked to help out and take charge 2 years ago there were many problems that needed to be faced and matters “on the pitch” fell into 2 camps; Performances and Playing Surface. The year before, the team had leaked 99 goals in a single season and the clay-based Home ground often fell foul of the weather. Today was a far cry from that calamity. The biblical rain of recent days left the hallowed turf at Mark Hall Lane in almost perfect condition. The pitch inspection was carried out in white trainers that remained unsoiled.

Back to our pomp and swagger, on a surface that hardly left a blade of grass on your boots, we could and should have been 3-0 up inside of 10 minutes. With a Matchday squad brimming with ability, the deadlock was broke by Holly just before the quarter hour mark. A few moments of mishearing and poor co-ordination (not uncommon with old age) led to some half-chances for the visitors before Barno found Holly and Holly‘s one-touch lob found the back of the net in a similar fashion to a glorious goal vs Stansted in a pre-season friendly. Still we pressed. chances went begging, before John Deamer was taken down 25yards out. Up stepped Barno to unleash a shot that if it had not hit the net, would still be travelling today. At the other end, Molty was immense, despite his 9lb weight loss in a week after a suspect curry last Sunday.

Half-time 3-0.

On came Lux, Si Copper and Weathers. Within 5 minutes, it was 5-0. Holly completed his hat-trick and Weathers rose like a salmon to score - surely a statue of the cup-winning hero has to be a certainty now? Arguably the goal of the game from John Deamer, who slalomed his way through the defence before slotting home in a style reminiscent of John Barnes in Brazil.

More changes were made, positions tweaked and still we kept up the pressure. How we did not score more is beyond me. A momentary lapse of concentration led to a late breakaway goal, but it was job (almost) done.

Many men at our age use football as a comfort blank and a crutch. After being locked down for 4 months, the need to socialise, share stories and see old friends is more important that the match... although winning well helps with the spirits. Stood behind the bar, I get to witness the true transformation of a team firsthand, friends and followers... talking to each other. Life will always be beset by issues, but the support network shown and shared amongst the squad means the problems we all face away from football, get aired and assisted with after the final whistle.

Squad

Deano

Babs

Crocks

Woods

James

Lux

Holly

Splinters

Sonic

Barno

Too Tall Tel

Deamer

Bumble

Weathers

Si Copper

Molty