From the first 7 games of the season, Vets2 collected a single point: from the following 8 games, 13 points. Given retirements, injuries and worse-than-usual problems of availability, the maintenance of the team’s current position(10th) should be regarded as a success. Last Saturday’s game against Chenois was fairly typical of the vagaries of the season so far. The opposition was lacking 6 first-choice players and had only 10 on the pitch. This would usually lead to a self-indulgent orgy of wildly ambitious passing and shooting and a cavalier disregard of team responsibilities.

This did not happen, largely because Currie, the Vets2 striker, is enjoying a white-hot streak of form. Twice he received the ball at his feet 15 yards from goal in the first half, and twice he clipped it firmly into the bottom left-hand corner to establish a 2-0 lead. Thus the team could relax and play some decent football. Intelligent running on both flanks - by Gaukroger and Tremant, in particular - was allied to perceptive and accurate passing through the midfield.

The game seemed won after just 20 minutes but an unfortunate combination of events conspired to bring Chenois back into it. Roosen needlessly tried to play his way out of trouble and lost the ball: his determined effort to win it back was adjudged unlawful; the low-lying winter sun meant that Anderson saw nothing of the resulting free kick and the ball drifted into the goal some inches from the goalkeeper’s raised but immobile hand. Chenois then began to resemble a team who were 10 points ahead in the table, but were unable to make another breakthrough.

Vets2 management took advantage of the half-time interval to reorganise the team. Gallagher H. dropped back to mark the very dangerous centre forward, the number of defenders was reduced to 3 and McKeeney, having come on as a substitute, was given a free role in midfield.

There were 2 more goals for the home side. Good work on the right ended with a pinpoint cross from Ffinch which was converted from close range by Currie and a cleverly angled pass by Knott was taken calmly round the opposition goalkeeper by McKeeney.

There was an excellent consolation goal by the Chenois centre forward who made a yard of space on the edge of the area and struck the ball clinically into the far corner of the net. The goal demonstrated the wisdom of the decision to allocate Gallagher H. to his marking role. If left alone, the Chenois striker might well have done serious damage. As it was, Vets2 maintained the lead comfortably enough throughout.

So, the team earned a happy beginning to the holiday period through sensible organisation, good passing and movement, and - above all - excellent striking by Currie. He has scored 7(yes, 7) goals in his last 2 games. Although the upcoming games will be more challenging, several players should soon return from injury and it is clear that after the Christmas break Vets2 will take to the field stronger, fitter(is that the right vowel?) and in an optimistic frame of mind.