It was fitting that the SAL Senior First Division title would be decided by the result of Saturday’s game at Corkscrew Hill between League leaders West Wickham and second placed Nottsborough. The visitors needed all three points but the Bluebloods only needed a draw. So, the two best clubs in the League over more than the last 5 years did battle on a dry uneven pitch before a huge crowd for an amateur match.

The Nottsborough match report said the crowd was the biggest they had ever seen and my “counters” (3 of them) came up with roughly the same statistics numbering the crowd at 436. This is the first time that I have used my degree in Economics and Statistics since 1964 for useful statistical purposes and it would have been much more accurate if the fans had stood still for 15 minutes. Impossible -- as the occasion was mega exciting and scores of families were out in force with the Junior Club providing massive support to Andy Foster’s First team squad.

This was Fozzie’s last game in charge after 14 years managing West Wickham teams and 8 years managing the first team, and we were all dreading the “wrong result” as Nottsborough have been very successful against us in the last couple of seasons. Both proven goal scoring strikers (Charlie Kallas and Sam Murray) were unavailable – midfielders Alfie Airey and Oli Clarke, skipper Jack Doyle and centre back Connor Byrne were also away or injured so The Big Man had to get his tactics right.

He brought in veteran Adam Freeman, George Maw and Henry Burt and gave the captain’s armband to Ruan De Silva. There was a bit more physicality about the squad which suited the tactical plan that Fozzie was going to use.

Thanks to our Social Media team for drumming up the support and making this the biggest occasion in the Club’s history and to Ruan for winning the toss and electing to attack down the slope. It’s always easier playing towards the Clubhouse in the second half as the ball holds up and you can control the flow of the attack better.

Notts proved the point by taking an early lead when they were correctly awarded a penalty following a mistimed tackle – and here the drama really started.
The penalty was converted but the referee had spotted encroachment into the box by a Notts players so a re-take was ordered. Keeper, John Chisholm got his hand to the kick but it squirmed over his prostrate body into the net.

O Me Miserum – as they say in Latin.

I really wished that the ball hadn’t squirmed because there’s too much squirming going on in GB at the moment – mainly by irresponsible politicians.

The Bluebloods were undeterred by this setback and were soon on top as Johnny White started to link up well with the indefatigable Josh Tutt.
Just before half time we were on level terms via the rampant Joe Kelly – this was a picture book goal worthy of the beaches of Brazil as Ruan de Silva found Obeng-Twum who headed the ball to White who cushioned it to Kelly to score on the volley. The ball did not bounce once prior to Kelly’s shot which took a slight deflection before finding the net and the scores were level at half time. Another huge goal from Kells who has been instrumental in all things good for the club on the pitch since joining 7 years ago.

I then realised that I had forgotten to bring the half time oranges but luckily Mrs Sullivan had prepared well and the boys soaked up some vitamin c in the sun.

The crowd were urging the Bluebloods on and the Notts boys were being reminded of any mistake however slight. Tutt and White kept the visitors defence at full stretch but they are a strong unit and they absorbed the pressure denying us shooting opportunities. It always felt that one more goal would settle the title but both defences were resolute and, although, the game was end to end neither side created clear cut chances.

The Bluebloods were playing with growing confidence but needed a magnificent one handed save by Chissy to deny the visitors the lead – the header was destined for the top right hand corner before JC tipped it over the crossbar. Nottsborough continued to play direct football and bombarded the Wickham defence with long goal kicks and huge throw ins but this played into our hands as Fozzie had anticipated these strategies.
The defensive wall of Adam Freeman, Ben Linter, Zack Warne and Ruan De Silva are all good in the air so clearing our lines was pretty much routine. Jack Sullivan was immense in screening the back four. Even Charlie Hackshall was winning headers and we knew something special was brewing.

Freeo was outstanding with his anticipation and aerial ability – I remember when he was skipper when I managed the First team he headed a pigeon away at Civil Service only for Cuzza to head it back into the area – luckily it died midflight.

Akin Lawal came on to add more pace to the attack after much of the attacking hard work was done by Obeng-Twum, Hackshall, Tutt and White went unrewarded. Tutty, for once didn’t score, but will carry off the Golden Boot with 23 goals this term.

This was a dramatic game as both sides knew that glory was in the offing -- it was nail biting stuff. Both sides hit the woodwork -- the crowd wanted the final whistle but excellent Referee Lawrence Opoku was enjoying the game and prolonged it until the 97th minute. The officials did well with Paul Martins and Kevin Gosnell assisting Lawrence.
You can easily imagine the scenes at full time when Fozzie bagged his fourth title (sixth if you include the Covid years) – it was mayhem. The Nottsborough boys congratulated the Bluebloods and dealt with their disappointment like gentlemen (they have the consolation of winning the Surrey Cup and SAL Cup).

Nobody on either side scored less than 8/10 but Adam Freeman was clearly the Man of the Match playing for the First team for the first time in 4 years at the age of 42. Ben Linter, Zack Warne, Jack Sullivan and Ruan De Silva defended doggedly and intelligently carrying out the Manager’s tactics to the letter.

Substitutes George Maw and Henry Burt didn’t feature but played a vital supporting role from The Judy (Judy Dench -- remember her?).

The celebrations went on late into the night / Sunday morning / afternoon / evening, and I think are still ongoing. Thanks to Anita for all the pizza.

Another hugely successful season for the first team draws to a close as Fozzie bows out leaving us champions once more.

And the Fours won the DFDS Junior C Cup at Chatham's Ground -- 4 - 0 whilst the Fives secured promotion with a last minute Josh Dowding goal in a 3 - 3 draw. I wrote an article on both of these games but it got lost on the web or the SAL site. Will try to find it.