So here it is, my last match report of the 2013-2014 Winter season, before you all start sobbing at the fact you won’t get my wise words of wisdom on a weekly basis for a while, please see below for the report on the Mixed 2s final game…..

After a postponed week, in which captain Amy went to Bristol, went to a spa, drunk a lot and lost the Grand National (well the horse I had in the sweepstake, not me, though I would also lose – my jumping skills are terrible), and the rest of the team played for the mixed 1s, it was time for Amy’s troop of mixed players to play their last game of the season.

A week of texts and emails with Ian and the opposition, we managed to get a time and pitch sorted (original plan of 1pm at Wapping was a slight problem, what with a small event called the London Marathon happening...you may have heard of it, if not Google it). Becoming the ‘home’ team for our ‘away’ game, it was time to take on the City Slickers again (not wearing suits though – disappointed – next year I’m suggesting all the Wapping teams play at least one game in fancy dress according to their team names). This time for the rematch, we had a goalie and they had their strongest team out all season… a warning was received about the strength of their team but Redbridge being Redbridge we were up for going out there and giving it our best shot.

And give it our best shot we did…yeah we didn’t score any goals, and yeah they scored 6, but they had male players who play 2 leagues above our men’s 1s, and we held our own throughout the game. We had lots of strong saves by Joe, defence held their own and cleared the ball at several vital moments, Salman who said he played midfield continued to play a solid game in defence, Ian, Sunny, Aneel, Aidie and Zollette (Zoe and Collette) pushed the attack and battled through midfield, and chances were taken in the D by the upfront line up of Steve, James and Kayleigh. With substitutes for both the men and women, Redbridge were able to keep the players fresh faced (ish) and we were all given time to shine.

The team this week consisted of: Amy, Katie, Max, Kayleigh, Collette, Zoe, Sunny, Aneel, Salman, Steve, Aidie, Ian, Joe and James.

MoM was awarded to – Aneel, Salman and Joe

DoD was awarded to – James

With the final result being 6-0, the score has seen Redbridge finish 3rd in the mixed league (I believe), a result I’m very happy with for a first time captain. While we may not have won the overall league, 5 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses isn’t too shabby and we should all be proud of ourselves. Winning the league would have been a cherry on top of a great season, but the main thing we can walk away is knowing that we have well and truly been a ‘mixed’ team, who have had a laugh and got along well, and frankly that’s what it’s all about.

On that note, I want to thank again everyone who has played for Mixed 2s this season, be it one game or all eight, and I want to thank Alex, Jim, Ali and Cheni who have all given up their Sunday’s to umpire for us. It’s been a fun season, so much fun, I may even be crazy enough to agree to be captain again next year.

Over and out chum, your captain Amy x