Match Report

400 up, congratulations Tant

Referee: Mark Harrington
Supporters: Jumbo and family, The Moodys, The Champs.

Team: Gary Rosslee, Frank Pearce, Marcus Allen, Neil Pearce, James Clarke, Dean Murphy, Robin Moody, Jon Redman, Damien Preston, Alan Fines, Paul Tanton.
Subs: Sunil Phandey, Jon Gasson, Jez Mooney, Joe Champ.

In a team game you never want to single out one player for praise in the match report however, on this occasion we have to make an exception. In our local derby "cometh the 90 minutes cometh the Club man". Fresh from lashing out the huge sum of £9.50 on a not all-inclusive 'The Sun' family holiday Paul Tanton returned fresh from the cream teas and pasties of Cornwall to bag his 400th goal for the Guild. An amazing achievement for the one club man. With his unassuming manner you might think Paul would be more at home doing the football stats rather than making the net bulge and he is the least likely looking Millwall fan you will see (he still has 8 fingers and two thumbs) but his ability to time his runs to perfection and be in the right place at the right time are second to none. Well done Tant a magnificent achievement and you fully deserved the plaudits today and those 5 pints in the Woodman. We will not tell Mrs Tant where you were and will swear the game went into extra time!

On this occasion Tant has Jez Mooney to thank for setting him up with a chance that he really could not miss. Jez only arrived just before half-time after coming back from a family event to play. Dedication for you which paid off as Jez picked up the ball on the wing, skinned a couple of men and rolled the ball for Tant to side foot home in the 63rd minute. Jez provided great energy in the second half which helped stretch the oppo in what up to that point had been a really even and entertaining contest and this one moment of quality was the difference between the sides.

Whilst Paul and Jez grab the headlines there were terrific performances right through the team. Neil, Jon Gasson and Man of the Match Marcus Allen were excellent in defence and had great support from utility men James, Sunil and Frank. Joe came on to provide a calmness and cultured left foot at left back, Robin Moody, making his first start for the Guild, producing tackle after tackle and it was a real shame to lose him to injury just before half-time.

Deano spread the play on a number of occasions which allowed Jon Redman to torment the oppo left back with a tireless performance on the right of midfield, Damien Preston who pushed hard for Man of the Match, losing out by one vote, did the same on the left. Alan and Tant held the ball up to buy us time on what was a very hot day for September.

Special mention also to Gary Rosslee who has returned after a long injury and wedding bells (perhaps marriage was the injury - congrats mate) to keep a clean sheet for the first time since 12th March 2016. Two excellent stops in the match and one an absolute wonder save to keep the score 0-0.

It is pleasing to be able to report on such a positive performance and as much as I would like to say it's due to the players getting used to my methods, I have to be honest and say it is great credit to every man who left nothing out on the pitch, nor the buffet table. It's nice to return home after a second win on the trot, a clean sheet and a landmark goal for Tant. I returned home to relax and play Football Manager on my PC when I was offered the Liverpool job. I knew it was a poor squad with no future, so I declined the offer. I then put the phone down and got back to Football Manager. (sorry Scouse cannot resist!).

Thanks to all those players who ran the line without even being requested to and we thank Kirsty Redman for the post match scran. Home to Old Roan Vets next week for more of the same.

A final note of good wishes to Mark Johnson of the 1st Team who we understand suffered injury on Saturday. A speedy recovery from all of us Vets and we look forward to seeing you back in action very soon.