A great turnout meant that I had 16 Players to pick from this week (with a few excused for family Christmas events). Knowing that with Dales impending Nuptials we might have to be a bit creative with the squad, I had a few ideas for this weeks game. Harpenden are always a test for us, though in the last two seasons, we have had the upper hand, something I had no intention of relinquishing! With this in mind, we started with the same 3-5-2 that served us so well the week before. Several of the senior players agreed, so thats the way we lined up. If Harpenden have any strengths to fear, possibly their midfield power and commitment. Step up Gregor Marshal. Can anyone remember the last time the big man played CM? Bet you will remember now, as this was a magnificent effort. I expected tenacity and if I’m honest maybe a yellow card! What I got was a compact, composed performance with excellent communication, motivation and dare I say it … some insightful passing?! Nolan has rightly had a bee in his bonnet about starting games, the evolution of three defenders a direct combat to this, giving us extra manpower in the middle and ability to dominate from the whistle. Whilst we arrived at half time nil nil, we were by far the better team, and bar some profligate finishing would have been in front. Defensively, we really weren’t troubled thanks to good protection from the midfield and strikers pressing. His mind full of next week, the Machine could have been out there until dark and not scored. Great work and chasing replaced his usual bag of goals. Having a perfectly good headed goal chalked off for a laughable offside, I guess the poor chap should have known it was not to be his day……and so it proved when Diego created a wonderful goal bound chip, beating the keeper which the machine somehow chased down and made Harpenden’s best defensive clearance of the match from two yard in front of an open goal! I joked in the pub afterwards that he only got an 8/10 from Potten, but was a 9.5/10 and MOM for Harpenden! Diego soon set us on our way, leaving nothing to chance he decided that continental flair was the only way forwards, and collecting Dale’s Pass, contrived to chip up, spin and volley the opener passed a dazed keeper and defence! Having run his giant sweaty socks off Greg was replaced at 60 minutes to unleash Christian back from his week away “injured”. Further introductions of The Family Hopkins aided the cause. There were a few quizzical looks from the massed ranks of the PESC when Kieran came on at 70 minutes to replace the Machine up top, though these were dispelled within two minutes when our boy stroked home via Diego for the second. For the most part the second half was one way traffic, but it was Alamo time now. With birthday celebrations planned for the evening, it was only fitting for the Dave cup to get in on the action. After winning a corner the delighted Dave planted home a very good edge of the area header from a Gav delivery. 3-0 game over. I don’t think this is a cure all by any means, and really good teams will adapt and find a way, but its a great option for us to start quickly with a five man midfield. Having a plan B to chase a game is also a bonus, and the way you chaps have adopted the system, and how well everyone is working recently is an absolute pleasure. Worth noting that our last two fixtures have produced two 3-0 wins, two clean sheets (our first since the Dave cup final) and a rotation of 17 players! M.O.M this week goes to the all action Alkie, who’s tireless running earned him the plaudits. A lesson here, as it didn’t really happen for him in the first 30 minutes, but jesus did he ever boss the last hour. To think he nearly never started as he was carrying a knock on his knee. I offered him sub at half time ….. he declined! W.O.M this week has to be the legendary Chloe Carrington. PESC’s glamour girl was front and centre making sure we were appropriately represented. Despite some understandable absences with Wedding pending, Chloe stood tall (well as tall as she can!!) and braved the elements to cheer us on. GO GIRL - Thank you Chloe! Keep it Rotten!
