5th team - 1st game of the season

Well it was the first game of the season and Brooklands made the short journey across to Altrincham Grammar school. 

Upon arriving I was greeted by my Vice Captain, Simpson on the pitch with ' Bod, I've done f### all fitness over the summer, best put me in defence' marvellous.....

Onto the warm up, I thought there was no need in changing our Pre-game ritual of 13 players striking the ball as hard as we could at Scooper, it always helps to build the strikers confidence. 
Upon taking my turn to shoot I notice out of the corner of my eye Guy Makin running laps around the pitch to warm up. I felt it it was duty to address this misunderstanding with him Immediately. Guy, 6th team next week..... 

Onto the game, Brooklands won the toss and strategically selected for push back, position is the key, a good start would be helpful. Unfortunately it wasn't until the start that I realised friendly games proceedings started with a gentlemanly pass to the opposition. We got the ball back eventually.....

Brooklands started well, retention, short passes, great passages of play, the first goal soon game with some excellent work from Joe D'Souza and Adam Barratt with Adam converting a cross. 

Brooklands 1-0 

As the game approached half time, Bowden pulled level through an individual effort, a poor goal to concede. 

Half time speech

'let's keep it tight lads, start the second half as we did the first, let's not do anything stupid.' 

41st minute, Sav fouls a guy by tackling his foot and removing his trainer. He umpir awards a short, Sav drills the loose boot 40 yards down the field into Adam Barratt's path( without doubt the best pass he made all day). The umpire calls Sav over and asks him to explain himself. Sav " I thought it was my trainer umpire" yellow card was shown, I believe it was for stupidity rather than the act itself. 

Short corner converted 2-1. 

We battled with ten men, eventually conceding the 3rd. 

Towards the end of the game we played some great stuff and matched a higher Bowden team. All in all a good solid performance. 

Mike Andrews enquired after the game if I had attended the gymnasium over the summer months, subsequently he has been selected for the 6ths this weekend. 

Result 3-1 loss
MOM - Matthew D'Souza, he didn't give the ball away all game. 
DOTD - Savidge. 2 reasons, for thinking he had smashed his own trainer up the pitch, surely you notice a trainer missing? And secondly for finding a team mate with the pass. 

Next week, we entertain Timperley, a local derby which will be full of action!