Dear Diary......

Monday 27th September Things are looking good for us this week, I've got a squad of 13 to choose from for my first league game in charge.

Tuesday 28th September Just found out that the first team are a bit short this week, but has been suggested that they'll only need a couple of players.

Thursday 29th September Just had it confirmed probably 2 has turned into definitely 4 players. Bugger.

Valley assume the position

Friday 30th September Some of the squad have (understandably) voiced extreme displeasure at the shooing we are about to take, but it's too late to cancel. I can't get any replacements. Bugger.

Saturday 1st October. 08:55 At the club, only to find that the gates are locked and the combination that we know isn't working. Bugger.

Kevin bags a consolation

09:50 I've managed to take a wrong turning and have ended up in Twickenham. I don't know Twickenham. Bugger.

09:55 Just had a phone call from Bacon, his car has broken down en-route, he's off home to get his spare and will be late. Bugger.

10:05 I've made it to the ground, still waiting on Bacon, but Sumit's not here. Bugger.

Chipfat about to save P Flick

10:15 We are starting with 7. Bugger.

10:25 Bacon has just arrived, but it's 3-0 already. Bugger.

10:30 Sumit has just arrived, but it's 5-0 already. Bugger.

10:55 First half is over, we have kept the score down, although it is 9-0. We are getting some good defending practise. Derek has earned a barrel of real ale between the sticks, Bacon's clearing is brilliant, Mike J looks really good, Sumit is playing well, Jono F is holding the ball well and Kevin looks handy too. We have had a few forays into their half, let's hope this continues.

11:05 We've scored!! Kit collected the ball on the wing, knocked it to Kevin, who knocked it to JC. He moved forward and was stick tackled at the 16. Sumit hit a fantastic ball into the D which Kevin finished with aplomb. Game on.

11:35 Tiredness has caught up with us and we've conceded another three goals under a lot of pressure. Mike J, Bidds, Bacon, Sumit and Derek have been great. Just as the final whistle is about to go, we concede a P Flick through bad luck. Derek saved it!

We lost the second half 3-1 and lead for about half of it before tiredness caught up with us. There are a lot of really good signs for us and the return game with a full team should be interesting.

Sunday 2nd October Just finished writing the match report, at least we know that we helped the 1st team do well in their game. Oh.... they lost 9-0.

Bugger.

Man of the Match: Derek for keeping the score respectable.

Thanks to Helen for umpiring

[Ed: Thanks to Jane Simms for the photographic skills ]