Six players on the sidelines for a Wednesday mid-week fixture and a bare 11 on saturday. Ah the joys of Potten End management. Playing the top of the league side looking to wrap up the double, only the sunshine gave cause for optimism! Wriggle must have thought that the gods were smiling on them and that all their holidays had come at once. What they would’t have reckoned on: the deadly secret Potten End weapon 4-4-1-1. I only ever get this little fella out of the managerial cupboard on highdays and holidays. Its a great shape for us, but relies on 1-11 being disciplined, courageous and committed. The player in the hole up top is the key, as the shape changes to 4-5-1 when defending, and is the springboard when we move forwards. We’ve only ever deployed it twice with both times a Hopkins in the lead role! Ben and Jonny were carrying injuries, and so played shape rather than their natural hunting game. I have to say boys you were both magnificent working in bursts where necessary. Alkie and Danny providing wide cover and Kieran adding to numbers when required. you all carried out the instructions perfectly - very impressive. Every now and then the planets align and special things happen. Such an astrological, spiritual and mystical event took place on the 26th April 2014. Ladies and Gentlemen, PESC, purveyors of football around the world, sound the trumpets, strike up the band: I WAS THERE WHEN DAN ROSE SCORED (T-Shirts will be made available). Ten other lucky players, and of course the might PESC will never be the same again. Christian took a wild potshot from 35 yards out (a little ambitious Chris? - or did he just ‘know’), Dan seized on the loose ball and with the composure of a natural goalscorer passed into the top right of he goal! 1-0. Poor Jonny found his way onto my shoulder towards the end of the first half, dropping to the ground in what could have been a game destroying collision. Dazed he struggled on bravely to the half with his vision a bit compromised. I’m not sure if it was the knock down or his delayed shock at the Dan Rose goal?! My halftime team talk will take some beating, “Lads, were are one nil up against the top of the league side, I got to give Jonny a dig, the sun is shining and Dan Rose scored for Potten End - go back out there and keep doing what your doing!’ We defended and attacked on the break brilliantly throughout, and probably had the better chances. A 20 minute period in the first half half saw Diego conducting things like an orchestral maestro, involved in everything. Alkie nearly completed a memorable victory with a good run and chance. The defence was disciplined, and restricted the soon to be league champ’s and cup winners to very few chances. Mark back to his best with some great vocal instruction and composed keeping. Unfortunately Dan’s exuberance and desire to chase his runner wrong footed the back four who had stepped up leaving the striker on side for the equaliser. Harsh for Dan who knew what had happened, but is an intelligent boy and will be alive to this when it next happens. No blame on Dan here, as he had a great game. I’d rather have a runner chased than not every time. I haven’t awarded a man of the match, as the honesty and commitment of all eleven players would make it unfair to the other ten. Great character, commitment, discipline and desire boys. With nothing to play for, a bare 11 and a handful of games left, it was superb to play with you all. Well done to a man. Keep it Rotten.
