| Sunday 18th Jan - 2009 Midlife Caledonian 2 - 3 Chobham AC Recent freezing weather prompted concerns that the pitch might be unplayable for the return leg of the game against Chobham AC (Age Concern) but on the day we were greeted by glorious sunshine and blue. almost cloudless, skies - albeit with an icy, biting wind. The 15 man Caledonian squad was without the Scots born Graeme C. due to touch of the 'flu and as we took to the field in the shadow of Box Hill against an 11 man Chobham, one of whom was their 13 year old winger, I was a tad optimistic that the result might well go in our favour. However, we are not nearing the birthday of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, for nothing. For as Rabbie himself once wrote "There is no such uncertainty as a sure thing" and so it was that we were soon 2 goals down despite some neat passing and stout defending. The second half saw us pull the score back to 2 - 2 and as we entered the final quarter I fancied we might just have enough in reserve to win the game, but I should have heeded the words of Robert Burns: "Hope springs exulting on triumphant wing". After the final round of Caledonian substitutions late pressure from Chobham saw them break into the box on several occassions and shave the post on more than one occassion. This ultimately led to them bagging the winner with about 10 minutes from the final whistle which caused me to reflect that : "The best laid schemes of mice and men can often go awry" (R. Burns). Midlife Caledonian had their chances as well and the game could have gone either way but all in all it was an excellent game played in the best possible spirit as evidenced by the way nobody tackled the kid on their wing. And although the likes of our striker Gordon Mc was on the receiving end of some 'strong' challenges there were one or two Caledonian players who were 'putting it about' just a wee bit themselves. Everybody retired to the bar for much beer and cameraderie and a good time was had by all as we were served pints of foaming ale by the petite, blonde barmaid who brought to mind the words of Roberty Burns: "What signifies the life of man if it were not for the lasses?" A big thank you to the 15 man squad for making my manager's job easier by volunteering to ref or run the line as I tried to juggle the four subs on the bench with maintaining a strong team whilst at the same time trying to avoid a flurry of late substitutions. The squad: Adrian, (GK) John, Keith S, Fausto, Rick, Andy, Paul, |Fit Neil, Simon C, Gordon, Dave, Simon Eye, Alex, Keith W, Jocky. Man of the Match: Adrian for a clearance that landed well in the opposition half where Dave lobbed the keeper with his first touch. 'Route One' or what? |
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