So a County Cup game half way across the globe in the herts Junior - in the county of …. essex?!! I don’t know either?! Its a long way granted, but we had a bit of a drip fed arrival (Diego, Dan, Keiran, Mikey, Alkie). It wasn’t helped by 13 confirmed replies by Thursday. I need to know earlier guys please?!!! In the end we had a squad of 18 with 16 available places? It came down to who didn’t get there in the end. A big shout to an incredibly mature Keiran Hopkins, who when presented with the one place for two players scenario, instantly gave it away to his mate (we all need some Keiran friends boys). Anyway on to the game. Oracle were clearly no mugs, though we set about them for the first 10 minutes, and probably were the better side. As promised I elected to rotate the squad and give players a chance to stake a claim. I relied on some old heads to apply the calm, so step forwards Messrs Gregor Marshal and Stephen Hewitt. The left hand side on the day was our strongest flank, and given his chance Stevie did exceptionally well, aided by the stoic resolve of Gregor behind him supplying a Man of the Match performance. I really couldn’t have hoped for a more commanding run out (all bit concerning GM when your gaffer plays there!). Christian, I love your enthusiasm and passion, but sometimes it needs a more positive channeling. Conceding the goal as we did against the run of play, was yes sloppy, but balling your fellow players out will not endear you or galvanise the reaction that you want. Substituting you two years ago would have produced an almighty strop, however, you took it and eventually calmed, making good when you got back on the pitch later in the game. That is the Christian we need, and your reaction is to your great credit. Juggling the pack with 20 to go first half, I would have made a left sided sub, but the solidity there ended with me plonking myself in the middle with Ben. I know that a few eyebrows were raised, but the idea wasn’t so daft. You all have looked at Ben during the season, and very few of you have any idea of the difference he makes in a game. Not the prettiest (and not just looks- sorry Ben!) footballer, but simple intelligent and full of running. My job then, to match his work rate and track the runners. We did this until half time, and had our best spell of the match. 0-1 became 2-1 with goals from Alkie, and a worldy form the Machine edging us in front. Annoyingly and stupidly we let them back in to 2-2 with the half just finishing. Perhaps we should have stayed as we were and tried to grind something out, but this was the CCup and I wanted to use it to play as many as I could. It ultimately cost us and the goals we conceded in the 7-2 defeat were a little hard to swallow. I’m going to say this boys, and some may not like it: Ask if you gave everything to stake a claim for a first team place (in the second half especially)? A big chance was on offer in this game. Getting beaten is Ok, but you need to grind it sometimes. Old faces like Nolan, Greg, myself and Gary have been beaten more times than we care to remember, but we will have a go and battle - its the Potten End way. Walking off Nolan and I chatted to some of the players that remembered he & I from seasons back, and they said we weren’t a 7-2 loosing side, that we gave them a scare, and that their captain had walked off mid match pissed off at the beating they were getting from us. Think on that for a moment - a Prem side in a hard league rattled by Potten End. Be proud of that and use it going forwards….. This weekend will see us travel away to Maple Cross in the league section of the Junior Charity Cup. Only a win will do, as we lost our first game. It’s very winnable too. Keep it Rotten always, Gaffer.
