So the day arrived when we would all get the chance to kick ten barrels out of one of our own. The place Ivor Grove, the weather, a sunny day although a little breezy, the pitch HORRENDOUS once again, not just suitable for under 5’s but with tractor tracks and puddles supporting their own ecosystems, it was not surprising that free flowing football did not follow.
So STC lined up with Jordan in goal, Hookys special little friend at right back, the balcony boys in the middle with Bilbo at left back. Roberts started out wide right, without moaning, pinky and perky in the middle Mike out wide left, with Slim and Crabby up top, leaving Deano and Omelette in the line.
STC started the brighter against Gok’s Catford side, playing their first game in a couple of years and it showed, with a lack of shape and organisation not surprising after such a long break. After some sustained pressure, STC took the lead, albeit from a surprising source. Fresh from defeating Smaug and saving Erebor, Bilbo turned up out wide, advanced and stuck a rifle into the bottom corner, 1-0 and fully deserved. STC continued to dominate the early stages creating a number of half chances, Crabby shooting wide from distance and Medium Scott blasting into the face of the Catford centre half after a slick interchange with Slim inside the box. A great block in actual fact preventing what was a certain goal.
So with STC dominating, Roberts got ribbed inside his own half after pissing about with the ball, The forward simply then ran through on goal and finished well, beating Jordan at his near post. Roberts did put his hand up to that one.
So with score at 1-1, Catford started to find life in their legs and the shape started to return, STC dominance of the early stages was over. Soon Catford took the lead, a mix up is all it can be described as between the headmaster and Mike allowed the forward to simple nip in to score. 2-1. Dodgy bounce apparently as stated by the headmaster.
The jokey approach to the game was now grating STC who lacked commitment and running in all areas and looked shaky at the back, but STC were soon level. Roberts swung in a corner, which hit the bar, assisted by the gale force winds, the rebound fell to Scott who scrambled it over the line, which Slim followed up on just to make sure. 2-2.
STC though they had the lead just before half time, Steve put in a great cross from deep which Slim met with a strong header from the edge of the box which was headed straight for the top corner. Out of nowhere, the rotund keeper at best somehow leapt like a salmon and clawed it away. Top top save, and a broken finger to show for his troubles, but what a way to go.
So 2-2 at half time and what was to follow in the next 20 minutes was downright shambolic. STC simply did not come out for the second half and were penned back in their own half for the 1st 20 minutes, looking an old and tiring side. Chance after chance was made by Catford and at 1 stage Steve was seen screaming at Jordan for not coming off his line, well the fireman did have a point as he was stood on the 6 yard line when doing so. In the blink of an eye, STC found themselves 4-2 down, 2 quick breaks, poor defending and that was all she wrote.
Injuries started to pile up now, with both Steve and Mike going off, Scott hurting his back and Slim being taken out twice on the same ankle, but STC started to come back into it, finally showing some pride and fight.
Slim was through on goal but was pulled back for an foul on the edge of our own box when advantage shoudl have been played (Change due to censorship)
STC were back in it with 10 mins left, Slim picking the ball up in midfield and playing a defence splitting ball into Crabby, who ran through and beat the keeper well.
STC continued to push for the equaliser, Roberts was denied by the keeper when 1 on 1, a chance he made himself to be fair cutting in from the right. Hooky drew a worldy save from the keeper after a fine Roberts cross, Slim and Crabby both hit over when they should have done better.
With time running out, Slim was played in by Roberts and when about to pull the trigger on the edge of the box (a certain goal according to Slim in the bar) Slim was totalled from behind, professional foul if there ever was one. With Slim protesting it was a pen, sanity prevailed and a free kick was awarded on the edge of the box. 1 last chance, which Crabby hit the target but could not beat the inform Catford replacement keeper.
So a disappointing 4-3 defeat and a poor STC performance. Not many shout outs this week lads, but well played Medium Scott and the man of the match Hooky, poor defensive display and a lack of running and energy throughout.
1 upside, was that Gok was ineffectual and did not score, and the drinking after was impressive. Talks are underway for a return fixture where STC will want to exact their revenge.
