Match Report

At last a win and a vital one as well, our first since October and against traditionally one of our bogey sides.

With several of the team enjoying the 2nds end of season festivities I was never sure how strong a side we could field until everyone turned up healthy and alive at the ground at 10am. I was very impressed that everyone was there well before kick off. My only casualty was stuck in Fulham, I''m sure Jumbo will tell you all about it as he did me at 1am Sunday morning.

We kicked off and for the first 15 minutes we were totally second best as Defiance started much stronger and passed the ball better. Defiance were awarded a controversial penalty which they scored and this seemed to wake us up. Our passing and movement improved 100% and looked like the team I know we are when everyone is fit and up for the game. Ray Perkins scored shortly afterwards, seizing on a rebound from Dawson''s shot. I think we hit the post and had several other chances before half time.

I was hoping we would continue our excellent display in the second half and we did just that. Halfway through the second half Matti Wright made our pressure tell by scoring what proved to be the winner. Pester had another goal disallowed by a dodgy linesman''s flag and Harrigan hit the post and we missed several other chances. The last ten minutes admittedly we were holding on a bit the usual few hair raising moments but we did play really well and got a deserved victory.

Our defence picked up the majority of the votes in a game where everyone played well with Matti Wright picking up man of the match for scoring the winner and marking Defiance''s answer to Neil Armstrong closely followed by Daragh and Judgie.

Thanks to Sam Small for making himself available on Saturday night and played very well second half and Bodge and Andy Cobham for being sub and not getting on.

It’s the last game this week and it''s against Goldsmiths who are always up for a game against us. It would be great if we can have a repeat of the attitude, workrate and footballing ability we showed against Defiance, a win will see us climb to a respectable mid-table position. This will be followed by a couple of beers afterwards, Dave Harrigan and Adam Dawson have promised me to actually stay for a drink (we shall see).