So the unbeaten run is over, following a hard fought 3-1 defeat at home to Farley Vets. The game really was a story of missed chances and injures from the STC perspective in a battling display on a sticky pitch is South East London against a very young looking opposition.
STC, after having 15 the night before, turned out with 12 men, Jordan between the sticks, Rob (I don’t shower) right back, Statler and Waldorf in the middle and Bilbo at left back, after he finally stopped running from Hooky. Sheggs on the left, pinky and perky in the middle, Gok on the right, Roberts and the masterful and majestic Mr Robinson up top. (Yes Gav, there is some bias towards certain individuals) with Deano warming the bench.
The opening exchanges clearly showed how the game would progress, Farley enjoying possession without creating much and STC looking dangerous on the break and creating chances. STC should have taken the lead on a number of occasions with Lee hitting wide following a flick on from Slim & Sheggs really should have buried a header following a great cross from Lee. However, it was Farley who took the lead, After a few neat passes, a cross came in from the left, which Statler could only divert, away from his Balcony partner Waldorf, into the path of the Farley forward (who at 16 years old must really ask himself, why is he playing VETS football: SAD), who tapped in from close range. 1-0
STC then produced the move of the game, culminating in a Roberts back heel to Bilbo who put in a great cross which Slim beat his man at the front post, but couldn’t keep the header down. Slim, you should have scored.
So at half time STC trailed, but really should have been leading but poor finishing let the side down, Gav putting in a tireless display on the right and Sheggs, a different player from the previous week terrorising the right back.
The second half started with STC pushing for the equaliser. Slim put in a great cross into the 6 yard box for Roberts who could not quite make contact when all it needed was a touch. 5 minutes later the game was to change. The 50 year old fireman’s constant need to slide up and down poles caught up with him and pulled up lame with the recurring hamstring niggle finally catching up on him. With his partner in crime struggling with his own hamstring niggle, Statler re-shuffled, bringing Slim back into defence, pushing Rob into left midfield and Sheggs up top.
And what a master stroke it proved to be, Slim, being a classy ball playing centre half (see Gok poetic license once again), spotted the run of Rob coming in from the left and put in pin point 40 yard ball onto the chest of the Rob arriving on the edge of the box. Rob took it down like a pro, and stabbed beyond the on rushing keeper. 1-1
The next period of the game was taken over by injuries. First the Farley keeper slid out and clattered into Lee, coming off worse and having to be replaced. Next Sheggs pulled up with his own hamstring injury and so STC were left with 10.
Farley started to enjoy possession and made their number (AND AGE) advantage count and were soon 2-1 up, a nothing cross was flapped at by Jordan who failed to make contact over the top of Slim. Slim’s header dropped to the edge of the box where the Farley midfielder hit a first time shot through a number of bodies to find the net, rolling through the legs of Big Scott along the way.
STC still had energy and Lee was causing troubles every time he broke through, pace and power, but his final touch and shooting let him down. 2 was soon 3 and game over, Jordan could only divert a shot into the path of the striker who tapped in from a yard out.
So a 3-1 defeat in a game that really was a story of missed chances, hamstrings and a very young, yet strong opposition. A good game and a result which STC will be confident of turning around in the return fixture.
This writer must give credit where it is due and that is to all the STC players who put in a real shift and without the injuries would have ran out winners, well if Lee could shoot straight J Sorry Lee, but finishing aside, you had a great game. Rob was voted man of the match in a split vote, with this writer thinking Gav, bit Rob got the nod, and also celebrated his first ever goal for the STC, well probably in his life, as even the wife texted, ‘you can stay for a drink, but you don’t need to lie about scoring to do so’
Quote of the day is from the self-styled Gok, who at one stage made the call of ‘Bundle him’ when trying to encourage his team mates to tackle. Errr not sure the ref would appreciate a real BUNDLE Gav, but hey Gary wouldn’t play an advantage for that either.
A close second was from STC only supporter Mick, in the bar after when referring to Sheggs ‘He’s a midget in’t he, glove wearing pussy’
Next week is the Xmas doo lads, and we may be struggling for numbers so let Lee know early your availability.
1 final point this week is to remind everyone to wear flip flops in the shower if you want to avoid Hookys piss, although that still wouldn’t have helped Lee and his leg.
