Scorers: Cedrick & Robbie (1st ever League goal!!)
Assists: Ahmed & Cedrick
Man of the Match: William - barnstorming centre forward display - particularly in the first half.
When your no.1 goalkeeper gets run over by a bike and a day later your no.2 keeper comes down with flu like symptoms you know it's going to be a difficult weekend. Probably not the best of times to introduce a new formation but it had to be done sometime.
...For the first 5 minutes we looked like a bunch of losers. You could have been forgiven for thinking that our lads were auditioning for roles in an old folks sitcom with the pathetic excuse they were offering up for tackling. 1-0 down I feared another avalanche. But in the face of adversity some of our players decided to stand up and be counted. We discovered that Kirk is a good goalkeeper and Anupam can play at right back. As for William at centre forward he was seriously scary - at one point I'm sure I saw the opposition subs hiding in the team kit bag.
By half time we'd gone into a deserved 2-1 lead. Cedrick's goal was the stuff manager's dream of - 4 passes and through the offside trap to the on rushing Cedrick. Cedrick was so excited that he forgot to do his Usain Bolt goal celebration but you could have lit up the National Grid with the smile on his face. Robbie's telescopic leg converted the second in one of those weird moments when everything goes into slow motion and you try and blow the ball into the goal.
Sadly the lads wilted a bit in the sun in the second half but there was much encouragement from this match. With Matthew and Josh looking to pass the ball out of defence we were (at times) a pleasure to watch but 1 mistake by each player led to 2 of the opposition goals. This was cruel - for the other 59 minutes they were 2 of the best players on the pitch, time and again getting the team moving forward.
Anupam and Sajid did enough to suggest that they can become part of our defensive unit and Robbie showed again what an improved player he is. Aurel enjoyed his run in the sun. His control was good but we'll have to come him a pair of shades the next time the sun is out so he can spot a pass! Kieron had a frustrating afternoon but if he can respond to a bit of coaching input there's no reason why he shouldn't become as good outside the box as he is in it.
Special mention to James who volunteered for the goalie duties in the second half. And it was also good to have Club Captain, Ahmed, back at the party.
I think the lads who played today have earnt the right to have another go and I am considering starting with the same 11 (give or take a goalie change) in next week's match.
Well done lads and thank you Duffield for being sporting opponents.
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