Line up Mazzza P.Wrigley, D.James, T.Williamson, D.Leigh T.White, G.Boyadjiev, F.Dehombreux, S.Macdonald C.Ffinch, D.Gallagher Subs: K.Francey, P.Antonicoli

A long and cold afternoon lay in wait for Vets2 VC Chapper. First up, doing Delegue for the 4ths, aided and abetted by Alex (Thx Alex). The 4ths played well enough to earn a 0-0 draw against top of the league, an auspicious start to proceedings thought Chapper, bearing in mind the Chiefs were lying second, I was optamistic we could get something from our game. After receiving the usual 20 affirmatives from the Vets2 squad, it was difficult to pick a side without offending too many people. Then one by one, my side began to fall apart – 1st was Alex(knee) , Kevin (Knee) Pete B (Back ((In the warm up)), Phil D (Calf), Chapper – dodgy Knee but I’ll see how it goes, and finally but not least – FF Calf again. So 4 out, and two walking wounded. Not deterred, Chapper Gives the team talk. The Welsh wizard was back from the Vallleeeezzz to shore up the defence, and partnered Chapper in central defence, with Dave Pangea Leigh filling in for Alex, and Riggers out on the right. Pete was due to start, before a dodgy back kicked in, so Freddy – you’re starting. Tony and GG on the Flanks, with Dermot and FF up front off we went. The game started at a quick pace. We saw that two Chiefs were playing in Central midfield, who we had trouble against before, quick, good sense of balance and willing to attack defenders. The back four had their work cut out from the off. A very hard fought 20 minutes saw RBBFC soak up a lot of pressure. Scott and Freddy commited in the middle, and trying to feed our widemen, and to some degree were successful, especially down our right flank. The first real shot of note came from the Chiefs, a fierce left foot shot, passed our defence, but Mazza made a great save lowdown to his left, and held the ball well, nothing for the opposition to pounce on. Both Darran and Chapper were getting stuck in to their front 2-3, conceeding a few freekicks along the way. I’m sure they got more than they deserved, like a screaming kid, their number 10 continually complained to the ref the close attention Chapper was giving him! Chapper got on with it, and with a few more diehard tackles, had truly wound up the Chiefs – who by the way we shall call Creche for the remainder of this report, not a football team – more of a bunch of kids who cried foul everytime they lost the ball to one of our guys. Halftime arrived and at 0-0 I thought we had played extemely well. We battled hard for every ball. We could see the Creche throwing water bottles around, or maybe it was rattles, not sure, but who gives!! Dermot came off, and was replaced by Kenny. More of the same asked Capitain Chapper, take the ball, then the man, and of course, Chapper led by example. A clear tackle on the No10 in midfield had him crying to the ref YET AGAIN. Chapper aimed some coloufull language in his direction, only to get it back, and find the ref booking No10 for Ungentlemanly!!! FF was subbed, after struggling with his calf, but fair play Chris to start. Patrizio moved upfront with Kenny. We had more posession in the 2nd half. The Creche were getting frustrated with a solid back line, and our midfield was starting to impose itself, especially Freddy, who mixing it with their Captain, and generally fighting for every ball, it was good to see. Kenny was winning 50/50 headers on the halfway line, but not dropping to GG or Tony on the flanks. Mazza was called into action a few more times and kept the chaps in the match. More blood and guts from Williamson and Dazza, we started to concede more freekicks around our box, and more corners to deal with, but with the presence of Scottty in the middle of the Penalty Area, was an imposing figure, and won all headers coming his way. One corner in particualr saw the Creche head just over the bar, close one thought Chapper, as it was my man, A cheeky comment from Dazza, looks like the back 4 had gone AWOL, but went into denial!!! 10 Minutes to go and the Creche were applying more pressure. After a scuffle in the corner, and big shriek from their Captain, he didn’t look very happy. An innoccuos challenge from Colonel Mustard saw the captain holding his back, and looking for Tony, only to be subsituted by their Manager. Yellow card for Mr White. On came another crybaby, this time the No11, maybe a twin with No10. It didn’t take long before he ran onto a through ball from midfield, when Chapper steamed in, taking the ball cleanly and the player afterwards. He sreamed like a little girl. Chapper says stay at home and play with Barbie, I didn’t think he liked that much. The resulting freekick was cleared. Their next attack resulted in a very iffy peno. The ball was chipped towards our far post with their big centre-forward sandwiched between Pangea and the Wizard, the ball apparently hitting Daves hand, must be ball-hand I said to the ref, but fell on deaf ears. Their guys despatched it to Mazzas right – 1 up to the Creche Still time for more entertainment – the ball went straight up their end, with Gorgeous playing a one-two with Kenny, but ending up winning a corner. The ball was delivered into their box, took a deflection and fell 5 or 6 yards out just waiting to be passed into the net. It’s a little hard to explain what I felt when he who shall be nameless but not shameless blasted over the bar. After the Creches’ toe-curling giggles and ner-ner-da ner-ner after their penno, would have been lovely to stick it right back up their ****, particually the Number 10 and 11 who got up my nose all afternoon, still, time for retribution and a yellow card, after another sliding tackle, with shouts of “That’s the best tackle of the day” from Vets No6, saw his name taken, and No11 promising to smash his face in!! Lovely eh??!! To recap, a great performance from my boys, and very proud. Shame I wont get to play them again, maybe I make a “special appearance” next season, who knows. Also a big thankyou to all the guys who stood and supported us from the touchline, it was appreciated. In the bar afterwards a deflated team, loosing by a single goal again, settled in to reflect what could have been. Mazza got MOM for a great display inbetween the sticks. With VC Chapper a close second (again). Also looking forward to collecting a small bet from Pete!! Just a small post script – Mazza suffered a broken rib on Saturday – I speak as the whole team when wishing him a speedy recovery. I hope you don’t laugh too much Mazza!!

Cheers – Chapper.