Latymer Old Boys Vets @ home to Polytechnic Vets. WON 3-1

And so we're back.

Finally...

The importance of getting our season off on a good foot meant that we were determined to have at least one friendly match in the close season. Going in cold did us no favours last season when we were thumped 6-2 away to Maccabi Lions and so it was pleasing to actually end up playing two warm-up games this time round.

I had hoped to publish a little pre-season report but it has been busy at work so I'll briefly bring everyone up to speed. Both games were against non-vets teams and although we lost the matches, both were very worthwhile run-outs. The first game against a team I organised called Thundridge United, saw me pitted against an old foe of mine in the form of their number ten - a guy called Gary. My former team used to play against Thundridge in the East Herts League and it was Gary who infamously did me from the halfway line, which in turn led to the title of this blog (see my very first post for more...) A super striker to be fair and he always scores and did so in the friendly which we lost 5-0. Sounds bad but we actually played some great football at times and as the cob-webs were being shaken off and that first touch came back to the lads I think we all realised how much we'd missed playing.

Our second friendly against Hazlewood saw us go down 3-2 with Nippereli dazzling us all with another stunning left-footed strike. Lots of regulars were unavailable for this fixture so it gave the gaffer a chance to have a look at a few new signings, including (finally) my pal Damien. He'd toyed with the idea of playing all last season so it was good to get him involved.

The first round of the AFA London Vets Cup was our first competitive fixture of the season and this is a competition that is played on a Saturday. I'll go straight to the punch-line...WE WON!!!

Yes Constant Reader, last season you had to wait for about twenty-odd blog posts before you read those immortal words, but this time round there you go - BANG! Our first win already. Superb.

I subtitled this blog 'The Highs & Lows of a Sunday Morning Vets Goalkeeper' a year ago thinking that that would be what I could write about. Well, yes,  there were plenty of highs for me personally last season but in terms of results, far too many lows. It's two days since the game passed on Saturday and yep I'm still fucking floating. I'm gonna ride that crest of a victory wave all chuffing week if I can and hell, I'll even drag it into next week too.

The game itself showed to me and anybody involved or watching just how good a team the Vets can be. Make no mistake, we have that shoot-ourselves-in-the-foot gene still, but on Saturday I thought my name was Julio Cesar because I thought I was playing for bloody Brazil!

A strong line-up to start the game looked like this:

Yours Truly

Adam          Codz         Swailsey        Wrexy

Pete     Jonesy    Meakin    Damien

Reuben  Sully

So as you can see, adopting the old 4-4-2 with Swailsey dropping back to act as the Sweeper. I know he really doesn't want the job and was doing it as Mark Nicol had to arrive late, but unsurprisingly, he was flaming great in this role. I've got used to looking for him to drop the ball to as soon as I pick it up and having that outlet for us makes a massive difference. His link-up play across the back four meant that we kept the ball so well that Polytechnic hardly had any possession for the first twenty minutes. Coupled with Jonesy and Meakin operating in the middle of the park we had three outstanding players who not only played off each other but who bought others in the game as much as possible meaning that Pete and Damien on the flanks were getting involved and the ball was going forwards a lot to our front two. 

I think most of lads already know Tony Meakin but as he wasn't around at all last season I had no idea who he was when we met at the Thundridge game. I think every good side has to have a token Scouser to even stand a chance of doing well and I think all the lads would agree that Tony has made a really positive impact on the team already. Nippy, chirpy and great on the ball, I look forward to the games ahead and seeing more from him.

On a personal note, I was really pleased that Damien got a start on Saturday. We go back nearly thirty years and were Best Man at each others wedding so, of course, I want him to do well. What I should have done though was introduce him to the team under his usual nickname of Macca. We've always called him Macca and Macca is easier on the pitch than Damien so from now on I think it's gotta be Macca. Having said that he went through a few years of being called Scholesy cos he's small and ginger and played centre midfield - just like Paul Scholes...

Up top Reuben was seeing a lot of the ball and got in behind there back four with relative ease on a couple of occasions early on. Again, another new face for me as Reuben also wasn't around last season, but again, what a good player he is too! All these hidden gems have thankfully come out of the woodwork - fingers crossed we can reap the benefits.

It was good to see Wrexy again. Wrex wasn't around for any of the friendlies but Mr. Dependable was back  to his cavalier best. 

So lots of possession and loads of neat one and two touch passes. I was feeling really confident going into the game and for most of the opening spell I was more of a spectator. 

One part of my game that really needed to improve from last season is my kicking. I reminded myself during pre-season that I actually have operated more as an outfield player between the ages of 13 and 30 playing for several teams as a centre-back or centre-midfielder and, for fucks sake - I can actually play football!! The way we play means that if I pull my finger out and become more of a Sweeper/Keeper when we have the ball then that safety pass back to me should be more of an option in our efforts to keep hold of the football. Too many times last year I didn't want it, stayed just far enough back so the pass back wasn't a good option and so stayed out of trouble. Well, I can't promise I'll be brilliant but my aim is to be more available this season for a simple pass back when someone is under pressure. AND to chuffing kick it properly.

I think that on Saturday I did all of the above well and certainly I was confident to come looking for the ball from any of the lads where appropriate. Not perfect but better than many previous games. Goal Kicks are still a bit of a no-no. I'll get there but in Adam and Wrexy we've got a couple of launchers so I'll leave it to them...

All we were missing was a goal. It came after a delicious cross was lofted over from the left to find Sully storming into the six yard box to nod home. Sully had been working hard all game and had not taken a couple of other half chances earlier in the game so it was good to see him rewarded. 

Five minutes later and it was 2-0. A good cross field ball was played right left which landed just in front of their player in the middle of their half. Macca came into the tackle strong and won the ball really well and it just broke to his right perfectly. I instantly thought to myself just fucking hit it, and he did just that, unleashing a superb arrow strike from at least twenty five yards. It seemed like slow-motion had kicked in as the ball flew to the Keepers left and as the ball smacked the back of the net Macca turned and ran off, arm in the air, with a look of pure delight. It was a brilliant strike and I was well chuffed for him.

Two minutes later and he nearly bloody did it again!! This time Macca was on the left flank and when the ball was laid back to him he just hit a powerful, high looping effort that just flew over the stranded Keeper's head and crashed back off the bar. I think he would have exploded if that had gone in!

We definitely should have grabbed more goals in the first half and we were approaching half time when I had my own moment of glory. I had already done pretty well minutes before to palm away a deflected cross that had hit Swailsey and sailed in on my goal and so I knew I had my alert button firmly on.

This time, my goal was under a bit of pressure as Polytechnic probed down their left flank and attempted to get the ball into the box. It got headed clear only to find one of their lads who to be fair teed up his mate perfectly. I knew he was gonna smash it and that it was probably going to be on target. The ball flew to my top right corner and was definitely going just inside the post. A rather spectacular dive and finger tip turn around the upright would be a highlight of any Goal Keeper's game and while it was one for the cameras, I felt great. It's great to contribute if called upon so I'll make no apologies for being pleased with that one.

Macca pulled up with a calf problem so was replaced by Mim on left just before half time and as the second half got under way Mark arrived to go to left back meaning Wrexy slid across into the middle and Swailsey pushed into midfield and Meakin went out to the right.

We certainly found the second half tougher as Polytechnic stepped their game right up. Even so the chances we had on their goal should have seen us go out of sight but again we struggled to finish. I even managed to kick it long a few times seeing Reuben lose his man and go one on one with the Keeper who did well to get several saving blocks in.

I had my eye on my first Vets clean sheet but sadly it wasn't to be. I'd done really well to come out and claim and catch a few high balls or crosses through the second half but when their man floated a free kick over from my right it seemed as if the ball was going to land plum on Codz head for him to clear. Out of nowhere their striker popped up inside the six yard box to score an easy header at the far post and it was 2-1.

More pressure from Polytechnic saw a superb header from their big man cleared off the line by Meakin and all of a sudden extra time looked likely.

Frustratingly there were several rows and arguments that crept in as we felt the pressure. I won't comment too much but surely being positive to each other rather than digging someone out is the better option isn't it?

Thankfully, our endless string of chances finally gained us a third and decisive goal when Jonesy swept in a right footed strike and our nerves settled enough for us to see the game out.

It was a well deserved win, and in the club house after the beer tasted that bit sweeter.

I hope that this blog is as well received this season as it was through the last. I'd like to say thank you to everyone who offered thanks and encouragement and I promise to try to keep it a bit shorter where possible (I know I can go on a bit!)

I'll attempt to continue the look-a-like section this season so to get us started I'll pick an easy one.

My mate Macca, scorer of a super goal - one that Paul Scholes would definitely have been proud of!

Belstone 6-a-side Vets Tournament - Hammered.

I must admit I'm a little out of practice - it seems so long since my last post! 

The season ended a couple of months ago and while it's been a bit dull with no football, plenty seems to have happened. The end of season presentation bash came and went and congratulations to Paul was named the Vet's Player of the Season. Thoroughly deserved after some brilliant goals last term and I was delighted just to even be nominated. It was quite touching to see Lev being honoured with an award for his long service to Latymer. As a 'newbie' to the club I found it fascinating to look through the evening's programme to find the names of lots of the current Vets side who have picked up numerous awards for the 1st XI and so on over the past twenty five years or more! Lev's name popped up in the archives several times so his award was a mark of his commitment and passion for the club over so many years. Well done mate!

The timing for me personally for the season to be over was actually quite perfect as rather out of the blue Ewelina and I had just bought out first house. With the move and the amount of to-ing and fro-ing I needed to do I doubt I could have been available for any matches! We're still getting settled but it feels great to be in our own home.

And of course we've had the Euro's in Poland and Ukraine. Ewelina's parents were visiting as the tournament  got under way so our house was very much a Polish fortress for the opening match against Greece. I thought the tournament on the whole was excellent but of course I can still taste the disappointment in England's performance. Yes it was great to see us so solid at the back but I found our play extremely cautious and ultimately quite negative. For me, getting out of the group should be a 'given' and an absolute minimum expectation but the way we played against Italy was actually quite embarrassing. We were properly schooled that night. 

With the new season still weeks away it was great to look forward to a wee 6-a-side tournament that Lev had mentioned to me at the awards night. Apparently this was quite a good, well-organised affair and would feature some strong teams including the likes of Garston and the Met Police who play in our league and several other teams who we don't know. 

Everyone knows just how crap the weather has been over the last three months with so much rain falling so I wouldn't have been surprised if the whole thing had been called off. As it was, the club that were hosting the event opted for a rather inventive way of avoiding their main pitch getting fucked...

Belstone FC is a proper club. I was impressed by their set-up which included excellent changing rooms, a comfortable club-house and a superb-looking, flat, carpet-like pitch. Usually they split the pitch in two and play the 6-a-side matches across with two matches running side by side. I could see why they would want to preserve the lush surface though and so they had clearly thought about how to still host the event.

Next to the main pitch and behind the dug-outs is an area of land that, I'm told, has always been over-grown and generally ignored. The whole area was now completely flat and Belstone had marked out two good-sized 6-a-side pitches next to each other, complete with nets and flags. It looked great. The only problem was that in essence this area was really just a field- nay in fact it was probably more like a meadow! Alas, the grass hadn't quite been cut short enough and if a couple of cows had ambled over they'd have been like pigs in shit. The rain had been falling again and we all had visions of how the pitches would end up like mud-baths. 

It was great to see the lads again. We were looking healthy in terms of personnel with a squad of Nick, Codz, Luffy, Swailsey, Lev, Greg Goumal, Phibsey and yours truly. Standard rules applied with roll-on/roll-off changes throughout; each match played would be a straight fifteen minutes (no half-times) and no pass-backs at all to the goalie.

There were five teams in both groups with the top two going through to the semi finals, the next two going through to 'The Plate' semis and the bottom team in each group due to meet in the 'beer match.' 

It's fair to say that it wasn't quite our day. First up we faced Garston. We were the very first match and probably benefited from the meadow being in it's least fucked state. We played some OK football and carved out some half-decent chances. The lads rotated well enough and as the heavens opened and the rain lashed down we were heading towards a good point. That was of course until Mr. Marseille popped up and struck home for Gartson to make it 1-0. That little fucker always scores!! I popped up with a couple of decent stops to keep the score down and their Keeper did well at the other end to deny a couple of our lads. Finding it hard to score would be the theme for us for the whole day...

So a bit of a break before our next match and the opportunity to have a look at some of the other teams on show. On the whole, they all looked fairly decent but I was sure we could pick up a win somewhere...!

Alas, we were hammered 4-0 in the second game where we failed to show up completely and poor Luffy managed to rip his hamstring or something again. It was  a wonder to see as he found this burst of energy to fly past a couple of their lads but it was always going to end in tears as that wee burst proved to much and he literally broke down. It was gutting to see cos he's had no luck whatsoever with injuries. I'm gonna order a massive wad of cotton wool and wrap him in it before the season starts properly! Our boys did manage to regain some sort of pride in the third game which ended 0-0. A solid display which we controlled the game for once. Just couldn't finish and nearly threw away totally when we let their lad in only for him to hit the bar!

Funnily enough, if we could get a point in our last match (I forget the names of the other teams) then we actually would progress in fourth place to the plate semis...

We lost 3-0. Bollocks.

So it was the beer match for us but then it turned out that the bottom team from the other group had had enough and had trudged off to have a shower. Ever the 'Keeno', I would've preferred to play - especially when I found out it was going to be a penalty shoot-out!

Yes, Constant Reader, we failed to score any goals. A bit disappointing but truly, we were unlucky as we did create plenty of opportunities. If anything else, it was useful for us to shake of a bit of rust in readiness for the new season ahead. 

Nipper and I had a good chat at the awards evening where he revealed his own past as a bit of a writer. The reaction to this blog has been really positive, for which I am grateful, and it was during a conversation about this that Nipper told me that he had actually written and published a book! I was mega impressed with this and demanded a copy as soon as possible. Well, after the tournament finished, Nipper caught me in the car-park and offered a copy of 'Dear Alan, Dear Harry', his book that we'd spoken about. The book charts a series of letters and correspondence between Nipper himself and Alan Sugar/Tottenham Hostpur FC & a reporter for The Mirror newspaper called Harry Harris, as well as the back-story about the inept running of spurs during the Sugar years. To date, I'm about half way through the book and I have to say it is a good read. It's interesting and revealing and really well-written. I guess it makes it more so because it's by someone I know but I think most football fans would enjoy it and I'd recommend it to anyone.

It has inspired me to finally do what I've wanted to do for a long time which is to write a book of my own so watch this space...

Time for a look-a-like methinks...

Those pitches really did look like they were in the meadow!

Latymer Old Boys Vets @ home to Atlas Vets - Drew 2-2

The season is all but over with just one friendly fixture remaining.

I've really enjoyed this season - probably more so than any other season for ages. I always really miss playing during the break so thankfully, there's quite a bit going on this summer with England at the Euro's in Poland & Ukraine, as well as the much anticipated London Olympics featuring a Great Britain football team for the first time.

I was praying that England would get drawn into Group A at the Euro's as this is Poland's group meaning that we'd have played our group games in Warsaw. Ewelina's brother lives about twenty minutes from the stadium so I was all set to fly out and have somewhere to stay and hopefully get to a game! Of course sod's law - we get drawn not only in an entirely different group but also in an entirely different country with chuffing Ukraine so that's that idea gone.

As to team GB, I have to say I'm looking forward to having a bit of vested interest in the football tournament at the Olympics. I think we should have a GB team at every Olympics - a bit like the Rugby Lions. Just once every four years. I'm all for it.

To be honest I didn't expect us to have any games this late into April so I agreed a few weeks ago to go out with the wife and a load of pals on Saturday night into London. I don't really like getting smashed the night before a game - been there and done that too many times in the past! Kisstory wasn't all it was cracked up to be so stopping drinking early wasn't a great hardship but even so we ended up getting in at about 3am! Still, six hours sleep seemed enough and I was up - just...

So our last league game of the season and a home tie against Atlas. Memories of their last gasp winner at their place a few months back sprang to mind as I drove to Donkey Lane. It had been a tough, tight game and we had defended superbly only to concede right at the death to lose 2-1. I hoped that we could end the league campaign on a high and take a bit of sweet revenge. I was also wondering if 'Dobbie' (remember him?) was going to play up front for them. Codz properly wound him up last time so I was looking forward to more of the same.

In spite of a lack of sleep and leaving the house later than usual, I still managed to be the first to arrive behind Lev. The team had taken a bit of a change since his initial email had gone out in the week and there were to be a few new faces (for me anyway) for this game. Jeff Goumal (the other Greg's brother) was to finally make his first appearance of the season along with a couple of other chaps, John & Dan.

AK arrived into the changing rooms complete with bag all ready to play having answered the call from Lev who thought we would need him. Lev had already started getting changed so there began a quite comical exchange between the pair of them;

Lev: "Oh you're here..."

AK: "Er, yeah. I only caught your text message as I've just arrived."

Lev: "Well you might as well play now you're here."

AK: "No no it's fine - I don't have to. It's OK."

Lev: "No, it's fine you play. You haven't had a run out recently."

AK: "Honestly, it's fine. Besides you're already half changed."

Lev: "I don't have to play - it's fine."

AK: "No go on you play."

Lev: "It's OK, you play - besides I haven't even oiled up yet..!"

Priceless.

So we lined up with Jeff joining Codz, Mark and Wrexy across the back four, a midfield of Luffy, Nick, Swailsey and Dan with Jonesy playing in the hole behind Matty. John, Nipper and AK would join in the fun from the bench.

So we kicked off and right from the off it became apparent that this was going to be a tight affair. Atlas are a good passing team and the ball was spending a lot of time in the midfield. I noticed a few loose passes from both sides and there wasn't anything particularly clear cut in any of the play.

I had a few early touches, parrying one or two shots from distance that were comfortable and easy to deal with.

At the other end carving out opportunities to get a strike in weren't coming easy either.

I was feeling OK but at the same time wasn't perhaps fully at the races. In truth, I was just waiting for the kind of shot at me that should be relatively easy to deal but would probably cause me a bit of a problem. And of course it came...

I was only saying to myself earlier in the week that this is possibly the first season that I can remember where   I have got through without any one single major stupid goalkeeping gaff. Sure, there have been goals that on reflection I could and should have done better with and saved but there hadn't been any real cock-ups of real magnitude. Till now of course.

It came out of the blue - which is probably why I got done - but I was so fucking embarrassed. Their lad hit it rather 'speculatively' from their right flank and about thirty yards out. It was a bit of a grass-cutter and while it was hit with a good bit of pace I should have either flown straight down to get an easy block on it or at least kicked it - it was that close to me. As it was I did neither and stood kind of rooted to the spot and watched it travel towards me in slow-motion. The rather late flop to my right looked more of a token gesture than anything else. The ball went straight into the bottom corner and I cringed in agony at such a glaring mistake. To be fair, all the lads were great. I'm sure everyone inside their own minds was screaming at me but no one did aloud. Just words of encouragement and support. I'd let them down but was determined to put it right.

Sadly we lost Nick to injury as he seemed to do his ankle again. Nick's been brilliant this season - even when he couldn't play due to injury. A real battler who always gives 100%. Nipper slotted into the midfield to get us through to the break.

The rest of the first half passed without serious incident although I did rather flap at a ball that bounced into my box. I pushed it away to safety rather than take any sort of risk with a dodgy catch - I was still a bit shaky and just needed to get to half time.

I was expecting someone to say something and wanted to apologise as soon as possible but the team talk was more of a tactical chat and my stupid mistake and any apology was on the back burner. Getting back on level terms was all we cared about.

So we got under way. Jeff had been having a colossal game at centre-back. Really dominant and great on the ball. Our boys had the bit between their teeth and were doing all of the pushing.  Jonesy had switched with Nipper, coming into the centre of midfield and this seemed to offer us a bit more creativity and allow Nipper to become more involved at the top of the pitch. And was these two who were instrumental in the move that saw us draw level.

We gained a free kick on the edge of our box and as Jeff stood ready to take it he screamed to Jonesy, "Push up ten more yards, Jonesy - you'll get on to this.." 

Now I'm not sure if Jeff has psychic powers or had travelled into the future that morning for a sneaky look at things to come, but after the fact it seemed as if he just knew what was going to happen. Jonesy did as he was asked and pushed right up. Jeff launched the ball forwards and it found Matty mid-way into their half. His first touch was brilliant and he held it up long enough to lay it off to Nipper on our right hand side. Jonesy had kept running as Nipper first took it superbly away from their left-back into the box and then even better, dummied the Keeper who had come out to narrow the angle. Nipper looked up and fed a slide-rule pass across the six yard box for a grateful Jonesy to slot home from a few yards out. What a goal. I actually thought for a second I was watching Brazil. It was that good. 

We were right up for it but I was worried we'd do our usual and concede straight away. We didn't. 

No, not this time. Instead we scored a second goal for ourselves. And what a goal too. After some good play down their right, the ball found its way to Nipper who was about thirty yards out from their goal. As the ball dropped to him he shifted it onto his left side. We could all see him shaping up to smash it and boy did he do just that. The ball flew past the Keeper and under the bar. It was a stunning strike. Nipper, take a bow son, take a bow!

Sadly not long after that we lost Jeff to another injury. He had been immense all morning and launched himself across to clear the ball as it came through the middle. I heard his hamstring go from ten yards away. Not a tear or slight rip - this was a proper twang as it snapped. He was in agony. AK came on and was able to bring a calm head to the last thirty minutes.

Sure there was a little bit of pressure on my goal. I dealt with a low drive to my left that was straight forward enough but after my first half gaff, I was taking nothing for granted. AK shielded the ball as I grabbed it at the second attempt.

Another foray from Atlas into my box saw the ball cut loose to their striker who hit it from about eight yards out. I was able to get a diving right hand on it to keep it out. A bit of redemption. After that, I managed to race out and close down another attack as the ball sprung between their two strikers. I looked like a bit of a head-less chicken racing between the pair of them but it was enough for one of our lot to get behind me and then clear the ball away.

Atlas did manage finally to score again to draw level. It was a good goal to be fair. The ball was crossed over from their right and poor Wrexy was back-pedalling to desperately get his head on it. Their lad popped up and managed to get his head on it to send it looping high into the air, over me to fall just inside my left upright. I could do nothing to stop it. 

Time was running out and we were hanging on a bit. A draw would be a fair result but there was time for one last corner from Atlas. As we tried to clear it their player latched on to the ball and slid it back to his mate on the edge of the box. I knew straight away he was going to hit it. This was it. Time to make a difference. He caught it perfectly and the ball flew towards my bottom left corner. Thankfully, I reacted quickly and got across to get my full body behind it to parry it wide with a strong left wrist. 

Lasty blew the whistle instantly and the game ended.

We'd worked damn hard for a share of the spoils and although it wasn't a win, we were well chuffed to end our league campaign on a positive note.

I made my apology for my first half mistake but AK gave me a proper gee up offering kind words about the saves I had made in the second half making a real difference. So thanks to all the lads for going gently on me!

So just one friendly game left and that's it. 

Time for a look a like. This week in honour of such a superb strike I'll slot in one that I've been waiting to do for a while. Ladies & Gentlemen I give you "Nipperelli"

Latymer Old Boys Vets @ home to Kingsbury Vets (double header) Lost 1-0 & Lost 4-3

Yet again it's ages since my last post - purely as we haven't had a game for a couple of weeks. I've never known a season like it with so many spare weeks off. I think we were let down by a team for a friendly fixture so have ended up with no game since our last run out, which as I'm sure everyone remembers was my first win of the season (had to slip that in there again!)

I think it was probably more frustrating to not have had a game as I'm sure we would have wanted to carry-on with a bit of momentum following the victory. It seems a distant memory now...

A nice bit of news filtered through though from the club. Our yearly awards evening is taking place in a few weeks time and all the players were asked to put forward their nomination for the Player of the Season. I had to look twice when the email came through from Lev  - I was both pleasantly surprised and a little taken aback to find that along with Paul Matthews and Andrew Gittens, my name was on the short-list for the Vets! I have to be honest, I don't really know what to write about it. I feel great to be put forward as a candidate, especially as this is my first season with the team. But I also feel a little sheepish. I mean, I've let in so many bloody goals this season! One person commented, "Ah, but there's also quite a few that you haven't." This is true, but still, I hope folk don't think I'm now strutting around like Billy Big-Bollocks with delusions of grandeur. I'm not like that. I am just genuinely extremely honoured to be nominated and whoever wins, I'm sure will agree, will feel really quite proud.

The next thought that popped into my head was "Who the fuck is Andrew Gittens?!"

It occurred to me that I didn't have a clue who this person was. I mean he must have had a good season because he too was being nominated. I racked my brain and went through the team in my head. Nothing. It bugged me for hours.

Eventually, it hit me. Wrexy. I'd had a conversation with him in the bar after the Winchmore Hill game a few weeks before where I had said to him: "Wrexy, I'm not being funny, but what actually is your real name?"

He smiled wryly as he sipped his pint and said, "Andrew Gittens" The nickname 'Wrexy' was baptised upon him at university apparently as young Andrew is of course from Wrexham. I guess it's better than 'Gittsy' or even just 'Git'...

Wrexy has been brilliant this season, mainly at Centre Back but also at Right Back and once on Right Midfield and Paul has been superb scoring some terrific goals all through the season. I'm looking forward to a good night!

Yet again, we had to play a double-header which meant that one game was dealt with in the first 40 mins and then the second game was essentially, the second half. It all seems a bit short  - I'm used to playing two 30 mins-each-way games on double-headers. I think at Vets level the feeling is that two hours of football might be a bit much...

Lots of people were available again which meant that Lev had to leave people out. I know from experience how difficult it is picking a side and telling people that they won't be needed - especially if they've been around at the times when you've been really desperate for players. Someone is always going to feel pissed off. It's a catch-22 situation because you want to put out what you feel is the best team to go for a win but dropping people can result in losing them full-stop. I don't envy Lev. Everyone wants to play if they're available. I always found a phone-call across to individuals helped soften the blow and while trying to explain the situation isn't always easy, that personal touch makes a bit of a difference. There are lots of games in a season and experience tells us that there will be plenty of opportunity for everyone to be involved through the season. It isn't often that Lev has had to not include people because there have been weeks when we've been proper short. I guess those that have been there when we have been short feel a little snubbed to asked to step aside. Even so, when we've been losing nearly every game, any manager will want to and have to make those tough decisions to try and get 4 points. 

So yes were were looking pretty strong in terms of personnel with a back four of Adam, Codz, Wrexy & Mark, a midfield of Nipper, Jonesy, Nick-the-skipper & Swailsey who were behind the strike duo of Paul & Matt. Luffy, Dino  and Lev made up the rest of the squad - guaranteed at least a half.

We started the first game brightly. Kingsbury were actually down at the bottom of the table with us but had had an excellent result the week before when they beat Winchmore Hill. So we knew they were no mugs. The ball was being played around in the midfield quite a bit early on with a few loose passes from both sides meaning neither team could get a foothold on the game. Even so, we created a few little openings on goal with Jonesy flashing a shot wide.

I was feeling well up for it as usual and wasn't really troubled in the first twenty minutes except for clearing up a few back passes. 

A little more pressure from them forced a few corners one of which was half cleared to one of them. He chipped it back to one of his team mates who smashed it on the volley from the edge of the area. The ball flew straight at me but was going in all the way just under my bar. I managed to flip up and get the merest flick of a glove on it to put it over. The ball had plenty of pace on it so I was well chuffed to save that one.

Other moments for me included a fairly easy save round my left post and then another decent save when their striker was put through one-on-one. He thought I was going to go to ground so tried a little chip over. I read it well though and stopped it with my left hand. There was even a couple of nice takes out of the air from crosses and corners so my confidence was sky high. 

Our best move of the game should have seen us score to take the lead. The ball was worked down our left and Nipper and Jonesy combined and worked the ball through to Matt and Paul. A neat pass across the box was slipped into the right channel inside their box to a charging Swailsey who found himself one on one with their Keeper. I was getting ready to celebrate and the shot was decent enough but the Keeper, to be fair, pulled of a great save to keep it out.

Minutes later we were carved open down our left hand side for their nippy winger to cross it from the by-line. The ball was whipped in at pace straight over my six yard line for their striker to smash home. Yet again, despite our positive play we found ourselves 1-0 down. 

We tried to conjour up something to nick the draw but time ran out and we'd lost the first game. We were unlucky because it was a close affair and I felt we'd deserved at least a share of the spoils. Anyway, we still had another game left to play and we were properly buoyed up.

Again we started well and remained clam when in possession of the ball. Swailsey was switched in the centre with Jonesy for this game and they were linking up well trying to push the ball either out wide to Nick or Dino or onto Paul or Matty. I always try and remember as much as possible from each game but it isn't always easy. 

We gave away a free kick right on the edge of my box. Our organisation has massively improved so my wall was built pretty quickly. I probably stood a bit too centrally, rather than over to the left as the wall was covering the right. I was just a bit worried that if I was too far left then a simple deft chip would be enough to beat me on the right. Codz told me later that their player had a wee smile on his face as he stepped up. Apparently he'd seen a gap and then just smashed it. The ball flashed past my left and into the net before I could even fart let alone move. It was at a decent height to stop but was too quick and I'd got my position all wrong. I was proper fucked off.

Our play had gotten a bit scrappy and a few words were being said. I snapped back at Swailsey who as ever had plenty to say but it didn't do us any favours to have us rowing. I can get a bit heated sometimes so I hope everyone leaves all that kind of stuff on the pitch, as I do.

Finally we got a bit of a reward for our persistence. A lovely move down our right channel saw Matty do really well to get to the byline. His cross was perfect. Paul rose like the proverbial salmon and headed the ball back across the face of the goal straight into the top corner. A really great goal and we were back in it!

However, we seem to have  a formula. We score - and then let them score within a minute.

We didn't deal with the ball properly as it fell between our midfield and back four and their lad was put through  their right into my box. I came out to narrow the angle but he placed his shot perfectly down past my right to find it scrape in, shaving the post as it nestled into the corner. Bollocks.

Nipper had sweet thirty yard volley that looked speculative at best. But he caught it perfectly and it only just flew wide of the upright.

We went 3-1 down when again we struggled to clear the ball. Their player worked his way into the box and was immediately surrounded by us. However he managed to get a shot off that I had covered - but it took a nick off of Wrexy's leg and looped around my left and. I had visions of us caving in. Gutted.

We picked ourselves up and pulled one back to make it 3-2. Matty did really well to get on the end of a looping ball forward and managed to slide in on the Keeper, beat him to it, and slip it past him.

Their two centre midfielders were identical in every way. Not just because they were twins but they were both extremely good players. Jonesy summed it up after: "One of them was superb and the other one was better!" They did play really well and were a bit of a handful for our boys. It was one of these twins that made it 4-2. It was a straight forward slot past me after he'd had the ball squared back to him inside the box. 

Time was nearly up and we were resigned to a second defeat on the day. There was time for us to add a third. Jonesy swept a lovely left footed strike into the top right hand corner that the Keeper had no chance with.

We were unlucky because in spite of shooting ourselves in the foot a few times we had battled and played well. It was very even throughout. The ref even said after that he thought we'd deserved at least a draw in the second game.

Poor Mark ended up injured on the day with a nasty cut across his top lip during the first game. Nothing a pint of Kronemburg couldn't aid which I was more than happy to get for him as Mark had been good enough to pick up my football boots after I'd left them in the changing room after our last game. I thought I'd lost them so thanks again for that buddy.

So just one league game left next week against Atlas at home and then hopefully a friendly to finish the season. We were upbeat after our double-header defeat because it had been enjoyable regardless.

I'll slot in a little look-a-like. It has to be our identical midfield twin opponents. Both superb players and pretty decent blokes to go with it. However I was reminded a little of Tweedle Dum & Tweedle Dee...

Latymer Vets @ home to North Greenford United - WON 3-1!!!!!!!!

Yes, Constant Reader, that day has finally arrived. I had my doubts, I thought it might not ever happen, I dreamed about it, I prayed for it - heck I even considered the odd bribe or two to get it -  but after nearly seven months I finally got my first win of the season!! Even better was that it was a Vets win as we cruised (OK we stuttered) to a 3-1 victory at home to North Greenford. Victory is sweet and it's been oh so long since the taste and smell of three points (four points in the Vets league - I know, strange...) could be savoured by this Sunday morning goalie.

The team went out on Friday and it seemed nearly everyone was available giving Lev a bit of a selection headache for probably the first time this season. It's hard to leave anybody out who makes themselves available, especially if they've been around alot in recent weeks, but as a club and team, I guess going for the victory will govern the team selection  - especially when we've only won one game all season (I was missing for that day remember).

So we looked in good shape and it was great to see Alex 'Hannibal' Barnes name listed on Lev's email. I've only met Alex a couple of times but I remembered that he's a useful player and a top bloke too, and living in Sweden clearly makes it impossible to play for us through the season, unless he's in the UK on business.

So as usual (being Mr. Keen) I was well up for Sunday's game and I must admit got a bit panicky with the clocks going forward that my alarm would fuck up and I'd get up late and miss the match!! The iphone cocked up with their alarms once before when the clocks changed but I convinced myself that they'd fixed that problem several updates ago. So the iphone automatically alters the time change at 1am - making it the new 2am meaning that if I set my alarm for my usual 8am then I should get woken up at the correct new 8am?! How the fuck was I supposed to sleep with all the worry!!

I must be ultra-psychic or something cos my body clock woke me up as usual,although it was strange because I woke up at the new, correct 7.59am...Weird.

The promised good weather seemed to have forgotten to wake up with me because it was chuffing cold as I took Jasper for his morning walk. I'd planned on shorts and flip-flops!!

I guess there was probably never any real risk of sleeping in as Ewelina is an early riser and wanted dropping of at the church in Enfield for 9am anyway, which of course meant that I arrived at Donkey Lane for about quarter past! Proper early, but that's me - I can't help it.

As I've said, we had a strong line-up for the day with a back four of Adam, Codz, Lev & Mark. Dino and Wrexy were on the flanks of a midfield centre pairing of Jonesy and Nick who were behind the strike duo of Paul and Matty. Scottish John, AK and Barnsy gave us great strength on the bench and we were all set.

The game against Greenford at their place earlier in the season had ended up a bit of a nightmare as we were crushed 10-4 after being 3-1 up at one stage, and I just hoped that we could play to our potential.

The sun finally came out and we definitely started the better team and were able to stroke the ball around confidently and press them back into their half a bit. Jonesy linked up well with everyone as ever, and Mark and Dino down the left were able to work together really well. Wrexy was getting a run out down the right wing and I had had a feeling he might get on the score sheet - especially as he'd donned the number 10 shirt! As it turned out he didn't score but he really should have done when he was released into their box in the first half. Wrexy did brilliantly to run on to a through ball and move between a couple of defenders but his powerful drive flew just wide of the upright.

Jonesy tested the Keeper from about twenty five yards out with a left foot shot that forced the goalie to push the ball wide, and indeed Jonesy had another coupld of efforts that on another day would have slammed home rather than over or wide.

We were the better team, but I was called into action when their big striker was played in by a ball that sliced through our centre backs. I managed to rush out and block the shot from point blank range to send the ball away to safety. A bit of a let off.

We finally went 1-0 up when Dino, who'd been having a good spell with the ball, turned a couple of their lads inside out and played a lovely ball straight down the middle for Paul to latch onto while staying ON-SIDE! Their Keeper rushed out of his box as their wasn't a defender in sight. Paul cooly took it round him and side footed the ball in to the empty net.

This should have really been the start of us carving them open and scoring more goals especially as they only had ten men! It took most of about half an hour to realize that they were an man short and also had no subs! If we couldn't win this then we might as well jack it in there and then.

The Scots Man and Barnsy came on for Lev and Matty respectively as we looked to keep things fresh after the half hour mark but despite having the majority of the ball, got to half time without adding to our tally.

We agreed during the break that we needed to take a bit more time when we had the ball, look to get it out wide at all times, and not over-do things when going forward.

In fairness to Greenford, they didn't read the script and ignored the part where they were supposed to lie down and get thumped 5-0. We just seemd to switch off and lsot all our fluidity and passing game. They were properly up for it in the second half and started brightly and asked all the questions without really getting a decent opportunity on my goal. I mean it was probably the quietest game I've had in a long term in terms of being called into action, but I had to stay alert becuase Greenford were definitely in the ascendency.

There was alot of niggling and crunching tackles and they had a little tubby feller (who was not a bad player to be fair) who was doing his best to wind Codz up. Codz towered over him (like he does even normal sized blokes) and it made me laugh to observe their exchanges. Codz is a bit of a wind-up merchant himself and the fat lad was starting to bite a bit as Codz got in his ear.

Scottish John put in a proper challenge or two and one of their blokes and he were also going for it a bit. John ended up with a fat lip from a 'clash of heads' and I thought he was going to lose it for a second. Memories of taking on a bunch of locals back-to-back outside a bar in Berwick from about twelve years ago came flooding back and I saw that angry vein pop out of his forhead as he squared up in the middle of the pitch. He's a lot calmer these days so any potentila fracas quickly evaporated.

I was dreaming not only of my first win of the season but also the glory of a clean sheet but I guess you don't alwys get everything you wish for. I think someone slipped somewhere, and someone else switched off because all of a sudden one of their blokes was clean through down their left wing. He arrived on the edge of my box and just smashed it. The ball flew across my right and I saw it in plenty of time and managed to get down to get my hand on it. The Gods weren't on my side as the ball ricoched off the top of my palm and instead of flying off to safety, looped upwards and backwards, spinning all of the time to bounce despairingly just inside my left post. It was an odd goal to concede and I think it has to go down as a mixture of goalkeeping error because I should have got a cleaner hand on it, and bad luck because on another day it would have looped away and clear of danger.

Greenford were delirious as they celebrated and if I'd had access to my Paddy Power account I'd have bet on them to grab the win. Oh yee of little faith I hear you cry. Well, yes maybe, but I've played every game except two this season so I've seen the bad and the ugly and the jury was still out on whether the good actually even existed.

As it turns out, the good was just about to make a rather belated entrance from stage left...

We had started to claw ourselves back into the half and the game itself and once again found our range. Matty had come back on to replace Wrexy down the right and we enjoyed the benefit of his long throws. Mark was charging forwards  down our left trying to get in amongst it in their box and AK had come on to the left of midfield replacing Dino.

Its hard to remember every detail, especially as I'm often away from alot of the action by some distance, but the ball seemd to ping pong into their box involving Jonesy (as ever), Adam and Mark. I think eventually it was a cross from the right by Adam that was sort of helped on its way by Mark who managed to loft it to Paul who had made a bit of space for himself left of centre and just outside the six yard box. It was rather good to watch as Paul instantly controlled the ball with his chest, turned and smashed the sweetest left foot volley straight in to the right hand corner. A superb finish!

Greenford were convinced he was offside and ranted and raved at the Ref. They weren't happy at all and were screaming and shouting. But it was to no avail, and we were back in front. 2-1!

We needed a third to settle out nerves and thankfully we didn;t have to wait long. A lovely move down the right involving Matty and Jonesy realeased Paul down the right hand side who this time turned provider to umleash a superb cross straight along the six yard line for a charging Alex Barnes  to smash home from a few feet. It was great to see Barnsy score but ironic shouts of 'OFF-SIDE' rang out  as our lads took the piss out of the Greenford moaners. I think Jonesy actually led the claims for off-side as I'm not sure he wanted to live with Barnsy after he'd scored!

There was time for Greenford to put a couple of minutes of pressure on my goal but we defended well from a few corners with strong a clearence from AK on one occassion, and some of our lads had their hearts in their mouths as their little tubby feller tried a twenty five yard chip that I didn't move an inch for. The ball just went over, and I had it covered all the way knowing full well it wasn't going in - but our lot weren't so sure. I'd have looked a right twat if it had crept under so I'm grateful I got that one right!

The final whistle was like a trumpted fanfare of glory and delight and it felt brilliant to not lose!! It was almost a little strange to be able to say we'd won but it felt great.

Greenford kept moaning about the off-sides that were in fact on-side and their Keeper wouldn't stop. Sore loser?

The banter and laughing in the changing room after had that air of victory around it and we deserved our moment in the sun. It isn't easy losing every week. In fact I hate it. We all do. It makes it hard to remain positive. But I got my first Vets win and the team have their second of the season.

I guess I'd better slip in a look-a-like.

The first Vet that I met (apart from Lev) was actually Mark. He played in a pre-season friendly for the 5's that I was involved in as well. Straight away, I thought he was a great bloke and was very welcoming. But he also reminded me of a bit of a cool rock star that belonged in the Rolling Stones....!

Latymer Vets home to Southgate (Walkers) lost 5-0

Basically in a nut-shell - we were rubbish.

It's hard to keep finding the positive words week in week out when defeats keep occuring so I'm not going to pretend we were anything other than below average. Southgate aren't a great side but are and were better than us on this miserable morning.

Their burly centre forward who smacked AK was still banned so there was no risk of a repeat, but we nearly had our own inter-team moment when Nipper & Sully got a bit 'heated.'....
We just didn't really get going but it was only 2-0 at half time - the second of which was a penalty. I decided to do a Joe Hart and had a bit of a scream at their Skipper as he stepped up to take it: "You won't beat me!" I cried.
He promptly swept it to my left as I hopped right and deserved the smirk as he turned to celebrate.

I should have done better with their third - not a great shot down to my right that I think I'd usually get to and their fourth was a tragedy for me as I was beaten along the floor at my near post. The ball leaped over my foot as I lazily defended my goal. Pissed off doesn't cover it.
Sure, there were a couple of standard blocks - but nothing to write home about - or on this blog about!

We even missed our own penalty! Sully decided he was the man for the job but I think he'll be the first to agree, it wasn't a great effort! Maybe Sully was still getting over nearly coming to blows with Nipper! Both had 'had words' in the first half and I think it summed up our whole morning seeing them having a bit of a go at each other. It's funny now, but we could probably have done without it.

Another pal of mine, Mim, was involved as we'd come up up short of players for the second game against Winchmore Hill and also for this game. Mim is funny little Italian chap who is a neighbour of my best mate, Damien, and I've known him for a few years now. He played in the team I managed over the last couple of seasons and is essentially a striker but will literally play anywhere he is asked to, and do a solid job. It was great to get him along to play for Latymer and it's good to know we can call on him if needed.

I'm going to leave it there because I'm playing catch-up - I just wanted to log the game for timeline purposes.

Surely I wasn't going to go the whole season without at least one win under my belt?!!

Latymer Vets v Winchmore Hill Vets - LOST 5-1 & LOST 6-2

It's ages since I was able to give the time required to sit down and plonk through a post or two for my blog and I have to say there's quite a bit to catch up on! Work has been manic but here we go!

I'm gonna have to keep it concise and brief in places (cue mass cheers all round), or I'll be here all day...

So since my last outing back at the start of February, there were two games scheduled that I was always going to unavailable for as me and wifey were off to Poland to visit my inlaws. It was around the time that we had that bit of snow so rather selfishly, I was quite please that the game against Atlas was actually postponed. So that would mean missing just the one game against Rayners Lane... which of course ended up becoming a double-bloody-header! So yes, I did miss two games and of course it had to happen....the boys won out first game of the season without me!!

OK, so in the land of double-headers (where in Vets football one game = one x 40 minutes match!!) the opportunity to get a win is a tad easier but it still chuffing counts and I missed out! Don't get me wrong, I was mega please that we had finally won but had a revisit of that thought that the common denominator to a season long losing run in any team I've played for (1XI, 2XI, 3XI & 5XI to date) is fucking me! I text Lev from the airport as we waited to board our flight back to Blighty for the results: we won the first game 2-1 but lost the second 4-0. Lev had donned the gloves again in my stead, but he's a good lad and wasn't smug at all.

So was back and literally chomping at the bit to get back playing again. And the next two games featured consequetive ties against one of the top teams in the division, Winchmore Hill.

We played them at their ground on both occasions (those that know it will know why) and tried to give a good account of ourselves. Jonesy was absent for both (skiing) but for the first game We did have Swailsey running the show in the middle of the park. Nick the super skipper was finally back playing after ages on the sideline with an ankle problem and it was great to see Paul who had just become a father again only a few days before.

As I said I've not had the time to sit down and write in ages  so my usual memory recall is a bit lacking but we did start quite brightly. Swailsey thought we in a karate tournament as he double dragon kicked one of their lads and was duly sin-binned. Any other game and it was a straight red all day long. It was nice to see Scottish John as I hadn't seen him for ages it seemed.

We lost the game 5-1 but I had a decent enough game. A flying dive to my right in the first half to finger tip the ball round the top corner received a fees oohs and aahhs from the group of ten year olds on the pitch behind my goal but the best for me personally was in the second half. The ball was crossed over to their centre forward who was level with the penalty spot (and who was on a hat-trick by the way). I could see he was going to hit it first time so did a Schmeical and came flying out all star jumpy and keen. His effort, goal wards bound, smashed against my knee and looped up and wide and over to safety. More oohs and more ahhs from small group of more kids behind the goal and I was thought I was ready for the Euros!

I should have stopped their fourth goal - the shot seemed to go straight thru me but I was really pleased to have blocked at least 5 really decent one on ones with their players who were clean through.

Paul scored our goal - a rebound from a Matty free kick fell for him just outside the box and he rammed it home through a crowd of players. Sweet. We actually played pretty well despite the scoreline and had our chances. Nick is true battler and does make a difference at the back, and I was really pleased to have him back.

So the second game and it was a bit of a similar story really. We played well again, I pulled off a ream of one on one blocks again, we had our chances - again, and of course we lost the game- again! 6-2 this time featuring more crosses into our box than than on buns at Easter. Winchmore Hill have this bloke who plays for them who is admittedly extremely good and the rumour is that he used to play for Marseille! Now I don't know if this is true but boy he can put the ball on a flaming sixpence. He hadn't played in the first game and Wrexy had taken me through what to expect before the second game kicked off as he'd had a bit of previous experience. He told me the ball would land on the Six yard line without fail, finding the head of their striker to nod home. Well I think that's how they scored half their goals so Wrexy ended up being right. Their first goal was literally exactly how Wrexy had said it would be.  I think he must have a crystal ball up his sleeve somewhere Both of our goals were sort of bundled over the line either side of half time and we were never really going to have enough to get any points of this lot. But both games were really really great to play in and on a personal note I felt I'd put in my two best performances of the season for the vets.

Their striker found me after the final whistle and said:

"It's not often that someone can let ten or eleven goals in over the course of two games and can say they've had a couple of blinders but you have been superb - well done.".

I'll take that all day long.