The Wars succumb in epic battle

This Saturday we found ourselves in the leafy wonderland of Caterham to take on RH123. We had a great game against RH at home and managed a magnificent win, I knew they would be out for revenge and that was worrying because I knew what a good side they were. Tim had deserted the team to go to Ireland, he was hoping to give the blarney stone a big kiss and get his wish granted of being as good looking as me. What a waste of a plane fare!!!

Anyway, the pitch was in pretty good condition and the weather was not too hideous, the only bad result for the afternoon was me having to be linesman. We had 14 including Mr Griffiths who was wearing me down with his incessant gob, I had made it quite clear that he would only come on if absolutely desperate (he is recovering from a shoulder injury). The ref was going to be quite strict so we would have to remain composed and keep our mouths under control, lucky Tim wasn't here!!! We kicked off and exploded into the game with an absolute flyer, a cross came in from the left and Joe Shadenburg met it beautifully to make the back of the net balloon with goalden glory. Bloody fantastic,
1 0 up and only 2 minutes on the clock. Unfortunately I knew that would spark a response and I wasn't disappointed. RH reacted strongly and they were winning the battle in the middle of the park, our defence however were continually frustrating them with a superb performance. We had a minute to half time and I was all ready for a really positive team talk, however RH hadn't read that script. They broke through into our penalty area and Mark did well to force them wide, in doing so he gave a nudge to the striker and the ref rather surprisingly gave a penalty! To be honest we didn't really have any complaints about it. The goalkeeper stepped up, who was slightly bigger than Goliaths big brother, and hit an absolute power driver into our net. The ref immediately blew the whistle for half term and the jubilant team talk was now a bit deflated!!

We put Rich in the middle of the park for the second half as Davey Cocksedge had chipped a nail in the first half, we needed to come out fighting and put in a very strong performance. RH were very up for the battle and were putting some good football together, defensively we were still playing really well but we weren't creating much up front which was a problem. After 20 minutes RH put a ball through the middle and Jack F slipped as he was about to clear which left the RH striker right through and he lifted the ball brilliantly over the Dungster to break our hearts!!! Good goal and I think we were a bit unlucky but that's what footballs all about. We picked ourselves up again and continued to battle well but RH were managing to contain us and we only had a couple more chances which the RH keeper did well to keep out. Unfortunately that's how it ended, we had fought well but RH had won fair and square. The game was played in a great spirit and all the best to RH for the rest of the season.

Man of the match: Dave Rolfe, obviously he's my nephew but as well as his classic Rolfe good looks he is also a legend in the centre of the defence.

All subs need to be paid next week otherwise drinks start to become very expensive and text become scarce. The rule on match fees is knock once and that's an oversight, twice is no text the following week. Be warned :o)