Match report March 26 2011

A rather end-of-term feel to most sides, especially the 1st XI who managed to lose to already relegated Trojans 2-4. The 2nd XI ended a miserable season with a loss to Sanderstead, the 4th XI were hammered 1-10 by league leaders Sunbury and Walton Hawks, and the Vets went down 0-3 to Tring, their second loss to the same oppoenents in six days. The only win came from the 3rd XI who had to wtice come back from two goals down to beat Sanderstead 4-3

Trojans 4-2 1st XI
This had something of a “last match of the season feel to it”. A lot of something. Trojans turned out to be dark horses (I see what you did there – ed.) who deserved more from the season than the table would suggest. And we turned out be hungover, or at least your correspondent did. I was in no fit state to be there, but I was there, if a few minutes late!

Anyway, the rest of the boys did a grand job in the opening ten or twenty minutes I am told. Well, they were only 1-0 down at that point in proceedings. But then came the first of two serious contenders for DOD, either of which would have won it on any other day of any other season. Goalkeeper (and I use the term loosely) Cooper contrived to allow a Trojans forward (dark horses those boys) to lob him from the edge of the D. Whilst standing on his line. The ball travelled further up in the air than it did in distance to goal. And his jump made him smaller. Top drawer.

And it inspired the rest of the team to try to outdo him. Nick Lewis came closest with three, yes three, air shots. In the end he was claiming mulligans.

So two down at half time (I think) and all to play for. Some time later we were 3-2 down after they scored again and we scored two. And then they scored another one.

Good spirit in the bar afterwards and still home in time for the football and a nice nap. Some would say the perfect end to an enjoyable season. Some might say a bit of a let down after a promising early season. But Knappy wasn’t there so let’s go with the perfect end angle.

Would be remiss not to take the opportunity to congratulate the ladies on their achievements this year. It has been great to see the way they have blossomed over the season with their play becoming ever easier on the eye. And while we’re at it, well done too to K80 Choi, in his case for joining the only club that really matters, although why he named his son after Nick Lewis will take a bit of explaining.

Thanks to everyone who has played for, umpired, watched, coached or thought about the 1st X1 this year. It was fun and even if we take it more seriously next year let’s not lose that. Gav Adair

In fairness to the author of this article, at the time of the meet in Hampshire he was in bed still tired and emotional from the night before. He set off at speed and when contacted 15 minutes later said he was in Oxshott ... heading for the M23. he was advised he actually needed the M3 and so changed direction, arriving shortly before half-time. After two appalling touches, he spent the interval throwing up and his second-half display was as good as his directional sense

2nd XI 0-5 Sanderstead

3rd XI 4-3 Sanderstead
Report to follow

Sunbury and Walton Hawks 10-1 4th XI
Report to follow

Tring 3-0 Veterans
Report to follow