What wood work...

Whether you talk about Elite-level football or SuperVets Soccer, since the CoVid curfew was brought in mid-March, "Unpredictability" would best sum up the performances and results - and I write this the morning after the night before my other team lost 7-2 to Aston Villa. On Saturday we travelled down to Blackmore for a late kick-off in our 2nd league game and our last before our first Cup Final in White Roding Vets' history. Injuries to Fraser and Brutey had already been pencilled into the Gaffer's planning, but losing a prolific scoring threat in Holly, Sonic & Splinters in the build-up were not - precautionary measures for our trip to Aveley were front-of-mind.

Nevertheless we have a squad will experience and expertise. Welcoming back Lux. Steptoe and Molty were a welcome sight, except the former broke down after 15 minutes. Worse was to come on the undulating damp downs when a routine cross should have been dealt with to leave us 1-0 down. Response was immediate, with Weathers selflessly leading the line and offering the opposition defence a torrid time. Ev pulled strings from midfield and Barno stood tall at the back. Crocks was the first to hit the woodwork from a cheeky freekick 25 yards out that cannoned of the inside of the post before a mad scramble inside the 6 yard box saw it booted to safety. Ev then larupped the left-hand upright with a trademark screamer. Chances and half-chances went begging before John Deamer popped up with his 2nd in 2 games to level the score. Some robust challenges and out-of-sorts performances led to some changes in the 2nd half, but still the bar and post was hit again and chances came & went. Somewhat against the run of play, Blackmore broke and went 2-1 up. A communication breakdown led to their third. A combination of factors played against us on Saturday but it has also cemented in the Gaffer's plan what would work on October 13th and also in the league beyond. We have all the necessary tools to make amends. 2 unexpected defeats does not constitute a crisis. Our next game before the lockdown was supposed to be the original date for our Final. Our next game is the re-scheduled date. Our season (re) starts then.