I'Ve Got Kids!

Last day in a rainy February, Battersea Park still flooded that bit by bandstand. [Quiz question: How many times has BoC played on a Thursday Feb 29th over the 40 years? Can't be many].

Broomwood turned up with the usual old English shit-housers, but also a new strong contingent of younger Latin American players.

Initially, we traded a couple of disallowed offside goals, Broomwood were probably more vociferous about their protests, but 0-0 it remained.

For once, we had 5-a-side ringer Paul on our side, not running at me at pace for 60 minutes! He started the scoring as well here and we were passing it around nicely, good play form Edu, Cesar, George, Charlie, Ben and we added two more before half time through Ben and Cesar. The third in particular a great team goal.

3-0 at half time and we were reasonably comfortable, even if a few sturdy challenges flying in and Broomwood trying to take advantage of every decision, as per usual. Andy or George, I forget which, tackled one of their players, who exclaimed "I've got kids!", as if the tackle was nearly murderous, which I am sure it was not.

Early 2nd half, Broomwood's pacey number 17 sprang our offside trap and tucked past Tyson for 3-1.

Tyson launched a huge goal kick, which Cesar took round the keeper and finished nicely to restore our 3 goal lead. 4-1 and we couldn't blow it from here, surely?

We conceded from a corner, 4-2 and then another for the #17 via a long ball over the top which was contentious with half the defence claiming offside but it was tight. The problem with offside calls is: of course you have to claim everything vs Broomwood, because they do the same, but on the other hand there is a tendency for the defence to stop if offside has been called even if it is not ultimately given as offside.

The pressure was really on now and unfortunately we crumbled right at the end - another corner and this time an oggy with a miscued clearance by the unlucky Luke.

Boo. We had played well enough to deserve the win. But with a glass half-full I suppose at least the unbeaten run continues.

MotM - an excellent display from "captain fantastic" George, full of encouragement and work rate and "put your laces through it". Honourable mention for Andy "3 pints" Flash Jackson.

Ringer A - Paul