As we have done on several occasions throughout the season, we have followed our Capt's orders. When he told us to get a point from fourth place Campomaiorense that`s just what we did. Had he had said three points I'm sure we would have done that as well, unless of course the ref was biased....

Playing on astro there was an anticipation of something special. It did not matter that the rain had turned to hail before the game, the fact that the surface was smooth seemed to give Vets 2 the added confidence to take the initiative, which is what we did to the skilful but vertically challenged Portuguese.

After the first ten minutes it was clear that the Vets 2 passing was "Special" with several give and goes that were actually to feet! The "Port and Cheese" boys did try to push along our right flank but the solid back row turned them away. Darren, Maser and the boys stopped each attack and threaded several very good passes up to the midfield, who in turn fed Chris and Ken, as well as Dermot and George. It didn't`t take long before the cocky Portuguese were on the back foot on the edge of their box. Finchy led the early attacks with some wide runs that allowed the forwards to press their defenders. However it was a throw in deep in enemy territory that proved to be the decisive strike. The ball was played back to a very svelte looking Riley, who using his built in range finder launched a cross that seemed to disappear in to the low ceiling before appearing on the far side of the goal to a waiting George. George initially wanted to take the cross on his head, as he always does but changed his mind and volleyed it passed a bewildered keeper, who was still trying to follow the ball's trajectory. The goal stunned "the Stunted", who immediately started to chirp at each other in as many languages as there are in the EU. On the other hand, George's strike seemed to galvanize the Vets team even more and the level of talk increased, with everyone sensing a victory.

"Fishing" for their own goal the smelly opponents did mange a few long range shots that "Bare Hands Williams" calmly turned away, or allowed to miss. With the wind at the short backs the Portuguese did press in the early stages of the second half but the back four simply forced them to make mistakes by winning all the 50/50 balls. In fact Kevin and Alex stepped into each tackle with enough forward momentum that the attackers were either stripped on the ball or ended up on the ground looking for their teeth. Much of the second half was played in the centre area where the "Rileynator" seemed to anticipate each through ball with leg in or shoulder out. His tackles and his cross earned him yet another MoM. Our confidence and desire frustrated the opponents whose port changed to whining and infighting that in turn resulted in shots and passes missing their targets. It was clear that Vets 2 was going to counter everything the home team could think of, except their 12th player.

In the dying minutes of the game, during a simple cross that Tony easily managed, a penalty was called to the surprise of everyone on the pitch and the sidelines. "He was pushed" said the ref, whose eyesight and attention span was that of a Greek tax collector. The penalty was taken and despite a valiant half dive by our keeper it was 1 -1 with minutes to go. Disappointed but not dejected Vets 2 soldiered on and closed down a frantic but unorganized attack by Campomaiorense, who knew they didn't deserve the tie no matter how much they paid the official. The game ended as a draw, just as the Capt ordered but it was a win for every member of Vets 2 both playing and for those (Phil and Hughie) that supported from the bench.

However, the point gained pales in comparison to the just reward of "Endless Wine" from "all you can drink Hughie", who had made a promise that anything over 27 points for the season would result in a wine tasting extraordinaire for all to enjoy.