This was to be the toughest task yet to befall the intrepid guys of the Vets II team; an away clash against Goalois, the team sitting firmly at the top of the table. From the onset this particular task showed that it was going to be far from straightforward. A huge list of injuries and absentees had left the team more decimated than Frank Bruno after a few rounds with Mike Tyson. Despite all this, our illustrious leader Pete managed not only to assemble a starting 11, but a substitute as well. Even if half the team were in effect, walking wounded, we still had a team.

Arriving at the ground, there was a deep sense of trepidation and worry at what was about to confront us. Was it our imagination, or did all the opposition really look like they were in their mid 20s, 6"4 and as fit as fiddles. Such was our worry, that Alex Knott was prowling around the car park, waiting in hope that David Leigh would actually turn up; now that is desperation!

As we stood around for the team talk, it was plain for all to see that there was indeed a high degree of trepidation within the team, but all this was soon dispelled after a rousing team talk from Peter Brown. "No quarter was to be given, we were NOT ALLOWED to concede a goal and everyone was expected to give 150%". From the kick off, we knew things were not going to be easy, this team moved and passed the ball better than any opposition we had faced. Yet despite being permanently camped within our own half, we were holding them quite comfortably. David Leigh, started the game like a man possessed chasing everything that moved, Patrick Roosen was so comfortable on the ball, that he was only passing when he had 6 or more men on him. Chris Ffinch was also having a great game, chasing and winning every ball that strayed close to him. And as for the defence, once again a new defence with Matt Williams making his Vets debut, it was proving to be tighter than a Scotsman's wallet. Even when they did manage to beach the defence, they were faced by Colin Reynolds, who was in sublime form.

Yes it could be said, that things were going very well, but Vets II being Vets II, this situation could not be allowed to continue and before long, one of the proverbial wheels well and truly fell off the cart. After what looked to be an innocuous move, one of our star defenders Duncan pulled up and limped off with an achilles problem; we were down to 10 men, after only 15 minutes of play. Pete Brown then decided that, we were to continue playing with 10 men and not use our injured substitute. The team was reshuffled, with Patrick vacating his midfield role and adopting one of a sweeper; playing behind what was in effect a back three.

Despite the loss of one man, the team continued to hassle and chase every ball as though their life depended on it, in fact, if anything, they were finding it harder to play against the 10 men. The half progressed with them not seriously threatening the Vets II goal, while Vets II, always looked as if they might pinch a goal on the break, via the excellent unselfish work of our lone striker Simon Weaver or the supporting Alex Knott or Hughie.

At the half time whistle we went off with the satisfaction of knowing that we had comfortably held the top team with only 10 men. Pete proceeded to give the team the halftime talk, but in reality there was little he could say apart from, keep it up.

The second half kicked off and proceeded to follow much the same pattern as that of the first half; with Vets II holding the line. We were still playing well, but there were starting to be a few tired legs out there and passes were starting to go astray. Fifteen minutes into the half, they forced a corner which resulted in the smallest player in their team rising like a salmon (if truth be known, it was more like a kipper) and heading firmly onto the net via the shoulder of the unlucky Kevin Hyde. A shade unlucky, but unfortunately they all count!

Before long it was 2 - 0, again poor marking left them with a free header. Despite adopting a more offensive attitude, nothing could overcome the fact that we were still only ten men and half of those were carrying an injury. For the remaining 25 minutes Vets II battled for every ball and Colin in goal, who had obviously been eating his weetabix, stood tall and like Gandalf decreed "you shall not pass". At the final whistle, we had lost, but we had not gone down without a real fight. And that team that at the outset had looked like they were in their mid 20s and 6"4, looked just as shattered as us.

MOM was Colin "You shall not pass" Reynolds.