Last time we played Harretons (the silver spooned hybrid of Harrow and Eton) it was in the wave of post-Brexit euphoria as driven as ever by political events the plebs again rose up from a goal down to smash the elite 5:1. Our overlords had a new found vulnerability and everyone knew it.
After the game they complained about our new young players (the same as usual) and admitted to being third best, promising to get a stronger team out next time.
And so the seen was set for the re-match. BoC desperate to assert the new order and Harretons desperate to quash the rebellion.
However, in the wake of Trumpageddon everyone was confused. The insurgents not sure about what they started and missing the certainty of serfdom and the remorse of the masters - insecure about what they had done so wrong.
Harretons didn't get a good side out (missing their excellent centre back and Zlat impersonator) while no-show Nick and other late drop-outs left BoC with 9 at kick-off. Tom arrived ten minutes in and we were lucky enough to get Ringer Conrad join from the previous 5-a-side game.
Not sure if he is good at pretending but Conrad really does seem a lovely guy. He is also unique amongst people to have played for BoC in that he is a good player and a decent bloke. Looking across the rest of BoC it is strictly either or. Last year's player of the season Phil is known as Dev because of his evil side (short for Devil not because he looks like that guy from Corrie as Ilyas suspects).
Anyway on to the game.
The squad was rich in full backs and defenders and pacy winger style players (and me) but there wasn't an obvious anchor in midfield. But never fear. The man for every occasion Charlie was there and volunteered to take the platform his talents deserve. With Jordan doing a couple more attacking runs, Charlie sat a bit deeper and sprayed balls around like Dan Marino.
Despite the control this gave us it was a fairly scrappy ungratifying game with neither team playing that well.
We took the lead when Junior whipped in a cross from the left that went beyond the backpost. It looked to be going harmless out of play before Latch, without the time to run past it and head it back across leapt like a salmon and used the outside of his right boot to knock it back across the goal and the defender could only help it into the net faster. Ben claims the assist (AAAYFP)
Harretons struck back with a thunderbastard as the toff charged onto a loose ball near the edge of the box to smash the ball past Hoof. Nothing he could do about that. I don't remember their next goal.
Our second came after Latchford turned his man 40 yards out before driving towards goal and shooting. It was straight at the keeper but just looped over him. Proper keeper would have saved it.
Their third went past the flailing Hoof from range. He might have been a bit disappointed with that but it did follow an amazing Banks-esque save so overall a good performance from the man who graciously agreed to play in goal.
Overall a bit anti-climactic and with Reays gone we'll be hoping this fixture gets some of its spice back.
