Despite a much improved second half performance and a mini-fightback, a large Boots squad could never recover from a poor first half against Fat Cat at an extremely misty Victoria Embankment. Under the watchful gaze of the paparazzi (Rowan and Patto) and tweeting press (the Spencer brothers), Boots began extremely slowly and after having one goal disallowed for offside inside the first few seconds, Fat Cat began to besiege Phil’s goals with huge throws and some excellent crossing, leading to a steady flow of goals. Fat Cat were a mature but mobile team, and their first goal was a well-worked header from a left wing cross, before Brett sliced down their winger in the box for one of the easiest penalty decisions. Once Fat Cat had scored their second header (from a right wing throw) after 20 minutes, Boots began to compete much better and Griff, Ash and Justin all came close with long range efforts and Bally and Luke both saw low shots drift wide, while debutant Adam Brown (on the right wing) and Simon began to get stuck in with some big challenges. A fourth goal just before half time was a bitter pill to swallow (as the match was becoming more evenly matched) as Simon’s attempted clearance was blocked three times before Sicky found himself alone against two attackers, and they finished extremely coolly beyond Phil.
Pete made some big decisions at half time with Simon, Bally and Griff coming off for Pete, Tom Samuels and another debutant Dan Fowler, and the changes made an instant impact when a long ball from Justin curled behind the Fat Cat defence, and although Pete couldn’t quite reach the ball, it landed in front of Tom who hit an excellent left-footed first time shot across the keeper into the bottom right corner. Fat Cat were suddenly on the back foot as Sicky and Justin began to see more of the ball and find the wingers, and it wasn’t long before Boots had their second; Matt played a low pass through the centre to Pete, and with his back to goal he looped a 30 yard shot over the keeper and into the top right corner (neither photographer captured the moment as we were far too gobsmacked!) Unfortunately Boots couldn’t capitalise on their newfound momentum as the Fat Cat forward somehow bundled his way down the left wing before finishing over Phil through a sea of challenges, but Boots never gave up and still created plenty of chances in the final 30 minutes. Daz and Frumpy came on for Adam and Pete and both could’ve scored, but Daz’s screaming half volley soared centimetres over the bar, while Frumpy saw one shot go straight at the keeper, and he also went around the keeper but couldn’t keep his volley down. Brett and Dan marshalled the Boots defence well as the opposition began to tire, while at the other end Luke and Tom saw efforts cleared off the line as Daz and Frumpy continued to find space behind the defence, but time eventually ran out for the improving Boots as Fat Cat held on to their lead.
Pete awarded Man of the Match to Matt Prescott for a solid game, who linked up play well and was a positive influence throughout the game.
