So another Sunny Sunday morning and STC welcomed Orpington in what words not to be a great day for the home side. For starters, there was no one on the tea hatch and we had Gary reffing again. Only messing mate. A new kit, perhaps a new era? Pah.
So STC lined up missing a number of regulars, the pacy pairing of Deano and Bob full backs, Twinkey and twerkey in the centre of defence, Mr I never shower right mid, Mr I never bring my own fags left mid, with captain round and the fashion icon in midfield leaving fat and even fatter up front. With the MULE warming the bench after being late AGAIN.
With an eye on next weeks trip to Portugal, the STC team never got going and the slow start resulted in a goal to Orpington inside 5 minutes. The opposition breaking down the left, and the left winger with a firm strike across the diving Jordan into the bottom right corner. Whilst Gav thought it a great strike, from where this writer was standing the keeper should have done better an appeared to dive OVER the ball. 1-0 and not undeserved.
STC responded well with Slim, Lee and Gav all going close, albeit Lee with another missed 1 on 1. Slim then hobbled off with a suspect calf injury, a worrying sight, with Portugal only days away.
5 mins later it was 2, and again, where was the keeper, and the left back come to think of it. A speculative long ball from the back found an absent left back and the Orpington number 10, who probe to be lively throughout, squared across the 6 yard box to me met with a firm header, 2-0. The inquest was on going, 1st, where did Bob go and also, where was the 6 foot 2 keeper, oh planted on his line like a f&@king oak tree. 2-0. Not good and STC struggling.
From the side, it was clear that STC lacked their usual bite in the tackle and width and struggled throughout the first half, bit with the break approaching a lifeline. Lee latched onto a through ball from Sheggs and finished well, it must be said, given his pseudo reputation as Mr 1 on 1. 2-1 and half time. Well half time after 55 minutes given the time the Oppo took to take throw ins, ably pointed out in very sportsmanlike terms by STC’s own Victor ‘Steve Cousins’ Meldrew.
So a dejected STC at half time, lacking fight and spirit in a poor first half showing and Slim hobbling off injured a worry for Portugal
ST started the 2nd half strongly and in a very scrappy first 20 mons looked the better side. Soon that upper hand paid dividend, Sheggsy meeting a through ball form Rob first time, Harry Kane style, to strike first time with the left peg into the bottom corner. 2-2 and game on.
2 minutes later, a moment to forget from the Headmaster. Josh tried a flick which didn’t work and couldn’t be bothered to track his man, as his ever willing to comment brother pointed out in the bar. Orpington broke and, well let’s just say Shaun made a mess of it and it was 3-2. To concede not a minute of getting level was disappointing to say the least.
The injured Slim came on for the last 15 minutes, stating he could goal hang but couldn’t run, errrr do you ever mate is this writers comment.
With time running out, Scott found Slim in space in the middle, who brought the ball down on his chest and then slipped a great ball through to Lee, putting him through 1 on 1. Shaun at the other end was thinking, go on Lee help me out here, but as has become standard practice, Lee missed the 1 on 1, firing into the side netting.
Again in the bar, Lee challenged the 1 on 1 classification, but sorry Lee, if you go through on goal 1 on 1 it is by definition a ONE ON ONE……
With 4 minutes left STC got the vital equaliser. A corner was not cleared by Orpington and Paulo Wanchope, whilst trying to control the ball, I hasten to add, managed to knee, yes knee the ball goal bound and saw it loop over the keeper. 3-3.
To be fair that should have been it and a fair reflection on the game, but Orpington had 1 last chance and should have won the game, a great cross into the penalty box and a free header was missed by the left winger. Oh dear, and he was reminded of it a few times in the bar after…
So 3-3 and a fair result on a closely fought match.
Not a classic STC performance, but the unbeaten season rolls on. MOM this week goes to Sheggs, another tireless display.
5 more days and it’s Portugal time….. Enough Said….
