BoC fielded an unfamiliar side bolstered by with the welcome return of Alessandro, king ringer Conrad and a pair of Burnishers.
But what was really missing was Hoffs. We've been spoiled for Hoffs for a number of years but especially recently. Ben has not missed a game since the 3rd August and recently he has been joined by his younger, funnier, better looking, faster, more skilful and well hung brother.
The team looked tentative early on as we struggled to cope without a suitable hassle of Hoffs .
The oppo were GLActicos - once stalwarts but who had struggled for the past year. This culminated in a match abandoned in May (the only blemish on what is scheduled to be a 50 fixture season (wow who organises that - I bet he deserves to come second in the clubman of the year award behind the guy who sorts out all the finances behind the scenes rather than they person who picks the team out of position)).
So it was welcome that Jonathan (or Simon to Mr Burt) has found someone willing to organise their side.
They were pretty good (especially at centre back!) but struggled to adjust to the pitch and tired towards the end.
BoC gradually took control. It was not clear if it was the opposition or BoC were in good form. The passing was crisp with some swift interplay a marked contrast to some of the ball hogging/shite passing rubbish we have served at times (especially in the August slump).
The first two goals were scored by Kiko (a very modern footballing name) who was a bit fortunate in the first after a whiff of offside and then getting the rebound to his own shot to scuff over the line. His second was a great finish curled top corner after a good ball from Tom.
2:0 at half time.
Kiko had a groin twinge early in the second half (rumours that someone got inappropriately handsy with him at half time are unfounded - Mole-A was merely trying to explain some tactical nuance and there was no ketchup/salt/pepper dispensers to hand) and had to withdraw.
A fantastic cross by Burnisher big Tom from the right led to a well timed volley from all of 4 inches (10.16cm) from Latch - 3:0.
After thrashing Zonders Wonders to a degree that they may never come back there was cocky pre-game chat about not winning by too much. Sadly we were unable to deliver this - starting with a goal of the season contender from Mole A.
It is widely understood that shooting from 40 yards out is selfish and unacceptable - especially if you are the sort of person that will have a moan at people for not making an easy pass after a they burst forward from midfield on their decrepit limbs.
This did not stop Mr Burt who windmilled his chubby digits for extra momentum as he struck the ball in from 42 yards (38.4m).
Yes Tyson would have saved it and you could argue that it was the best strategy if we didn't want to score more but it was an audacious effort that stayed hit. Described later as the sort of goal Neil scores but from 20 yards (13.7m) further back (because Neil is too polite to shoot from that range).
The oppo pulled it back to 4:1 after Big Burnisher Tom introduced a throw in across our own box for their slight but strong centre midfielder to smash home just inside the far post (not needed given GK Conrad was still not between the sticks).
Sheedy had a tidy finish disallowed due to allegations of a Latch offside. Sheedy and Puntz did a better job of keeping the score down with some skyed efforts but Alessandro couldn't help himself with two great finishes (tight angle and curled from edge of box) adding a dose of humiliation to the scoreline.
MotM to Mole-A who’s made the greatest comeback since Lazarus in the Indian Summer of his footballing life. Once thought to be on the football scrapheap he has roared back with 31 appearances so far (team best is 32) and even unseated Stu as manager to take full control of BoC. Like Putin but with big hands.
9 in the Latchmere including Tom's bro (not that one another one) and BBZ kept himself company in the Duke.
