A trip to the home of the North Wembley Eagles is always going to be an eerie experience, and so it proved on a rather chilly November morning trip to face the league leaders.
The short drive from the Mumbai Junction saw us arrive in plenty of time and the graffiti coated changing rooms provided a pleasant surprise as their bleak, yet artistic, exterior hid some spacious changing rooms. A dormant radiator proved no match for a team with three plumbers and thanks to Darren we were soon getting changed in relative comfort.
Following a morale boosting win seven days earlier and a strong performance against the NWE in the Cup the week before that, AC Carrera were confident that they'd be able to put in a strong showing despite being down to the bare bones.
After a delayed warm up - the slope on the pitch had everyone running back to their cars to make sure the hand brake was on - we were underway.
The absence of a number of regular players meant that it took us a few minutes to get our bearings. Carlo stepped in again for Clint in goal with gaffer De Angelis and defensive rock Fabio Carnevale also missing from the back four. The midfield was stripped of skipper Suergiu who was away starring in a photoshoot for Andrex and showpony Pomaro who was at a Shellsuit and Hubcap symposium. Up front we had to do without Andre Ansah as he was bench pressing Ford Transits.
A managerial instruction to add some Razzle Dazzle to the midfield resulted in the veteran sweeper partnering our very own Robbie Savage in the middle of the park with the talented Pomaro on the right and Frank 'I just wanna talk to you' Belinga at left midfield.
At the back, Carlo was protected by Marco Carnevale, Tony 'the only left footed player in the squad' Vullo with Angelo and Dwayne 'Bring the Pain' in the centre.
With Italy being a nation that prides itself on its defensive prowess the striking positions were taken up by the Anglo/Franco/Hispano mix of Jordi and Anthony.
Despite the changes and playing up the hill we gave a good account of ourselves and had a couple of opportunites to score. A through ball hit Anthony on the back and fell kindly allowing him to take the ball round the keeper but unfortunately his shot from a tight angle was blocked on the line.
A ball from 'Talk to Frank' found Jordi sprinting slowly down the left from his cross was smashed onto the bar by his Gallic strike partner. A similar move gave Jordi the chance to cut in and his shot into the near post was turned behind by the keeper, while from the right Fabio Pomaro sent a rasping shot just over the bar.
NWE also had chances though they were kept to a minimum by sterling work at the back and feline agility from Sammarco. Defensively we were strong at corners and when we forced some of our own Pasq was unlucky with a glancing header and Dwayne and Angelo provided plenty of aerial threat.
As the half was drawing to a close a dubious looking throw in was allowed to pass by the ref, the ball was crossed in and after a scramble the NWE striker Callender outjumped Vullo to nod into the empty net. If only he'd spiked his hair he might have deflected it over.
And so it was that we went in at 0-1 when really a draw would have been fairer.
The second half was much the same as the first with both teams enjoying possession but without really creating any clear cut opportunities.
The midfield was strong and the defence wasn't making silly mistakes.
Up front, Connor shot just wide from the edge of the box as he was closed down and later a ball to the striker after a jinking run from Gravesande was stopped by the defenders arm. From the resulting free kick Pomaro Jr smashed a freekick against the wall. Ten minutes later Connor showed why he is now officially on free kick duty after his powerful low effort was just blocked by the keeper with the rebound going just wide.
With regular number 10 Toresi away in Hollywood, Mr Galmagnet came on from the bench for Anthony to cause chaos in the NWE defence and he could have had a penalty had he gone down under a late challenge in the area. Shortly after skipper Rasile made way for Adam who moved onto the right wing.
Then an innocuous through ball forced Sammarco to come out of his area to clear. The ball fell at the feet of NWE midfielder Lee who controlled it and chipped it into the unguarded net from about 30 yards. A great finish on a very bobbly pitch.
Carnevale who had been trodden on in the first half went down again after a heavy challenge and required treatment. As the medicine bag wasn't available, liquid from a mysterious bottle was poured on his gashed leg. It transpires that the liquid was from the swimming pool in the 80's classic film Cocoon and its powers soon saw the right back bomb down the wing, running 60 yards past several defenders before playing a one-two with Jordi and shooting just wide.
On another day we might have got something out of the game. However given the number of players we had out and that we were up against one of the strongest teams in the league we should take heart and make sure we secure fourth place in the league starting next week against our old friends from Hatch End.
