well well well, amazing what happens when we have a full strength team out….

A full strength still unfit cotswool team began the new year as usual, smacking the ball at keeps/our right back/anyone stoopid enough to stand in-between the sticks !!!

Spirits were high as we all realised that playing top of the table after a month lay off could’ve been the best thing to happen to us, and it nearly was….

The game started brightly with some early shots on the Sneyd goal and pretty much an onslaught of possession and much of the ball until half time came too early and we went in with no goals either side.

A rallying pep talk involving lots of “no names mentioned but some of us are losing their man too easy” meant we went into the 2nd half full of dreams of our 1st 3 points in far too long on the board…which meant of course that 20 mins later we were 1 nil down, some quick work from the sneyd winger put through their striker who had far too much time to turn and fire a shot across smiler into the corner, yes we stood of him and yes he had too much space but still we were up for this today.

Sneyd had the better chances in the 2nd half as their fitness began to show and we were limited to the odd half chance until nima (now moved into the hole after the gaffer had the option of changing things around) stormed down the left and whipped in a cross which the defender could only divert into his own net, with only 6 minutes left we even pushed for the win until the referee (who by the way is the worst referee in the history of tiny little Hitler wannabees) blew for full time, a deserved draw and a good start to the new year and a springboard for our push for a champions league place!!!

Smiler - 9 - Nearly man of the match after some truly top drawer saves and if he’s not careful could be our 1st choice keeper!

Berridge - 8.5 - Solid performance from mr kicky and picked up his usual yellow although get this…it was a real card that he took to stop a full on attack (no booting their man in his nether regions for no reason this time)

Danny - 8.5 - Becoming an almost shoe in for centre back in the 1st’s, growing in confidence and becoming our mr reliable

Craig - 8.5 - Covered ground like a man possessed, still the fittest man on that green stuff up there they call a pitch

Elf - 8.5 - Mr motivator kept everyone on their toes and even his unusual shouting at certain people for no reason didn’t diminish his display

Nima - 8.5 - Great positioning in front of the back 4, looked comfortable all game and even had some energy left to get forward for the equaliser.

Duds - 9.1 - Well here goes…deep breath….MAN OF THE MATCH. All round awesome captains display, epitomises what we should all strive towards for the team.

Stu - 8.5 - Up & down all game, usual skills maybe not yet out of the winter hibernation but we need this boy fit to make a real push towards the top

Paul C - 8.5 - Still working his way back to full fitness but still shows the signs of being the marauding winger that he is and we need

Rob K - 8.5 - Played just behind Eddie in that lovely “hole” position and played alright until steve took me off due to my inability to last the full 90!

Eddie - 8.5 - Seemed overjoyed to have someone to help with the burden up top & ran their back 4 ragged all game, i guarantee at least another 10 goals from this man before the season is out.

subs- paul & ricky -

paul shored things up when steve took rob k off and ricky realised he wasn’t going to get a game due to the intensity of the match so buggered off to watch the last bits of the ressies game (good team man though)

bring on the next game boys, lets get into them…….

Whilst the Ice Age appears to have receded, there was no chance of playing last weekend, so instead here’s an opportunity to relive a controversial outing against Lawes. This game was the first one back after Christmas in the 2007/08 season. As is the norm for games against Lawes, they were able to influence the referee to give a crucial decision in their favour and I would imagine they ran around celebrating their goals in an undignified fashion as well: grow up. There’s also a nice aside at the end which showcases the classic Cotswool organisation that we all know and love.

Cotswool vs Lawes Juniors

Team: Jamie, Craig, Duds, Danny Burke, Danny Rout, Stuart, Ross, Tom, Scan, Steve, Ed

Subs: G, Gordon

Cotswool’s first game back after Christmas was not going to be a gentle run out to blow away the cobwebs. Facing Lawes Juniors, who are just about still in the championship race, it was an opportunity to admire the oppositions fancy hairdo’s but also to try and upset any remaining title ambitions they had.  

As the immaculately coiffured Lawes are not on the Cotswool Christmas card list, the ‘Wool were keen go out with all guns blazing on a blustery, shower ridden day on the downs. Having narrowly lost out 3-2 to their opponents earlier in the season, with a dodgy offside decision to boot, the ‘Wool felt they had it in them to get something from the game.

Whilst the hairdo’s preened, Cotswool got fired up and started the game forcefully. Taking no prisoners, they put themselves about in a bid to ruffle the feathers (or beautiful hair) of the Law men. This worked to good effect, with Cotswool having at the least the equal of the opening exchanges. It was Lawes however, who struck first. With most of them having managed to get a quick look in the mirror they keep with their bucket and sponge and restore their barnet’s to a satisfactory state after being surprised by the ‘Wool’s bright start, they launched a long ball which caught out the Cotswool back line. One of the Juniors snuck through and his finish grubbed it’s way into the back of the net.

Cotswool would not allow themselves to be bowed at this set back however, and continued to get in amongst things. Playing well on the break they created a number of openings against a flat Lawes back line. However, with no one able to apply the finishing touches, the cry went out: ‘Send for Dudley’. Earlier in his career he was the proud owner of a good goal scoring record for a centre half, but for the past three years the goal cupboard had been bare. Not any longer. With a corner won from another good counter attack, Duds strode up to join the set piece. The delivery came in and amidst some six yard line scuffling, the ball was cleared to the edge of the eighteen yard box. There, lying in wait like a panther eyeing it’s prey, was Duds.

As the ball dropped from above, Duds sized up his options. Adjusting his body position, he played a sidefooted volley off his right boot, which arced up and over the keeper and grazed the underside of the bar as it flew in. A brilliant strike to reopen his Cotswool account and delivered perfectly on time as far as the ‘Wool were concerned.

Right back in the game, Cotswool held their own through to half time. Plenty of fouls were traded, prompting Lawes to keep up a constant stream of complaining to the referee. As they were giving as good as they got, you can only assume they were getting so upset because the rain was washing all the wax and gel out of their hair, making it look ever so sodden and not spiky at all.

Turning round after the half time break, Cotswool had every chance of picking up their first three points of 2008 if they could continue in the same vain. Unfortunately for the ‘Wool, the Christmas break had obviously been a very good one as they struggled to maintain the same tempo to their play. Lawes, on the other hand, had clearly not enjoyed the festivities so much and without any expanded waistlines, they were able to apply more pressure on the ‘Wool all over the pitch. Whilst Cotswool had opening’s, notably a close range effort that Ed couldn’t hook in, Lawes started to control more of the possession and their superior post-Christmas fitness was beginning to show. Cotswool are not without spirit and determination though, and they held Lawes at bay, one outstanding one on one save from Jimmer keeping them in the game and plenty of heroic tackling, fouling and taunting of the opposition thrown in for good measure.

With the game drawing to a close, Lawes became more desperate – a solitary point would surely have signalled the end of their title ambitions. Santa had obviously kept something reserve for them, as with a couple of minutes to go they somehow found the winner. After a bit of a goalmouth scramble (possibly from a throw or a corner, I can’t remember), a shot at goal dribbled towards the post. Lawes followed up the rebound and stuck it in the back of the net. Cotswool were keen to point out to the ref that their reliable linesman, Tommy Button, had his flag raised. As the shot had come in, two of the Lawes attackers were in an offside position, one of them followed up and put away the rebound. In consultation with Tom, the ref had apparently mentioned something about the rebound being a new phase of play and they were therefore not offside… not too sure about that myself, but the referee’s word is final.

Whilst being understandably sore about losing out to a controversial decision, Cotswool could have won the game if they had taken their chances and the attitude and application of the team were a good omen for the rest of the season. Lawes were no doubt heading straight to the hairdressers for a celebratory trim and then off to book a sunbed to top up the tan for next week.

Back in the changing rooms, Steve ‘Fingers’ Freeman was called on to enact a break in. Cotswool, in a bid to improve security that admittedly lacked foresight, had locked their padlock key in the dressing room. This required Steve and his crowbar to force entry. Clearly the best entertainment to be had that day, quite a large crowd gathered from neighbouring changing rooms to watch the criminal act. A heart warming cheer went round when the lock was broken and this did something to brighten the ‘Wool’s outlook after a good, but ultimately disheartening first game of the New Year. 

Crowd: Jim, Outlaws and Inlaws

Author: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Seeing as the coming of a third ice age has put a stop to Downs League football, seemingly for good, I thought that, a bit like showing reruns when rain stops play during a test match, it might be fun for everyone to take a look back at some classic Cotswool match reports from seasons past. First up I’ve chosen a personal favourite, which captures all the action from Cotswool vs Bristol Barcelona, probably three seasons ago by my reckoning. It provides an excellent snapshot on how life was for Cotswool back then, featuring a number of players who have since moved on, but also some Cotswool characteristics that any current player will be familiar with, for instance not being able to defend at corners. The keen eyed observers amongst you will note that there are no ratings provided - these were a new feature that appeared in the following season, so it was just a traditional retelling of the ebbs and flows of the game as it unfolded. Enjoy.

Bristol Barcelona vs Cotswool 

Team: Jimmer, Gordon, Chris, Duds, Scanner, Stuart, Ross, Danny Burke, G, Steve, Ed

Sub: Nima

When I was a youngster, I went to school with a farmer’s son by the name of William. We became quite good friends and he invited me to visit his farm. I gladly accepted his offer, being keen to see what mischief we could get into, and arrived, wellied up, on the appointed day. Following a spin round a field on his motorbike, his father commissioned us to take charge of pigeon control. Whilst taking an interest in agriculture, I had never understood the impact that pigeons have on a farmer’s life. Eating all the grain in their barns, flapping about the place, toileting everywhere - what I had thought to be a pleasant, if stupid, bird were in fact vermin of the first order and had to be treated as such. So it was that, armed with an air rifle and a tin of pellets, we set off to the barns to exterminate all remaining pigeon life forms.

Now this may sound a little bit harsh on the poor old pigeon, but the farmer had to protect his livelihood and the pigeon’s were expendable. Patrolling the draughty outhouses, we took potshots up into the eaves at the merest hint of a flap or a coo, but lacking precision in our shooting, we drew a blank. With disappointment looming large, a pigeon pecked its way through the open doors right in front of us.

Being a rough farm boy, William declared that he could catch the pigeon with his bare hands. I doubted this (pigeons can fly), but he was not deterred. As the pigeon turned its back on us, William crept up behind, made a lunge and, to my and the pigeons surprise, he managed to grab it with both hands. Still being a rough farm boy and wanting something to show for his afternoons work, he decided to ring its neck. Which he proceeded to do. However, little realising his own strength, he rung too hard and the unfortunate pigeon’s head came off in his hand. Startled, William threw the decapitated bird to the floor and we both watched in horror as it rose to its feet and tottered across the barn for several seconds before collapsing, finally defeated, to the floor. Now, we’ve all heard of and understand the phrase ‘headless chickens’, but to see the living (or should I say dying?) embodiment of this came as quite a shock to a young boy. The image of the pigeon, staggering around like a headless drunkard, will live with me to my dying day.

Which is not something you could say about Cotswool’s game against Bristol Barcelona on Saturday. Indeed, most of it hasn’t even lived with me until Monday, which is why I had to waste half a report on something a bit gruesome and totally irrelevant. The first half was noteworthy only for Ross bringing a brilliant save out of the Barcelona keeper with a deflected shot from the edge of the area and Cotswool’s inability to take advantage of the wind going their way (mirroring Sneyd Park’s struggles the previous week). Turning around at half time, as Tony Blair would have sung ten years ago, things could only get better. And they did, but really only for Barcelona, not the ‘Wool.

It is fair to say that the second half might have provided more entertainment than the first. But that was not much of a recommendation. The first memorable moment did not favour the ‘Wool. With G clearing the Cotswool lines, the ref bizarrely gave a corner to Barcelona when it as was plain as the nose on his face that the ball hadn’t crossed the line. Naturally this was the one delivery that Cotswool couldn’t quite defend and one of the onrushing Barcelona attackers crashed the ball in from a yard or two out.

Second up on the memorable moment’s list was G hitting the post. Coming in from the right wing after some good interplay out wide, he struck a fierce shot which the Barcelona keeper just got a fingertip to as it flew past him. That was enough to turn it on to the post and out, leaving the ‘Wool confounded.

And thirdly, when all seemed lost in the final moments of the game, Cotswool put together one last attack resulting in a handball in the area. Stuart smashed home a volley as the ball dropped to the ground, but the referee’s whistle had gone and a spot kick was awarded. Ed stepped up to dispatch the penalty and with a minute to go, the game petered out to a draw.

Sounds like it might have been a good game when you look at it like that, but really it wasn’t.

Crowd: Jim and many travelling Barcelona supporters who surely felt like they had wasted their money.

Author: Dick Dastardly and Mutley

NH Cup: Cotswool Ressies 2 - 6 Clifton Rockets

WARNING: Honesty alert. I am not a popular summariser but you lot are just going to have to lump it, like you did on Saturday.

A rather nice day, for once, on the Downs brought a rather flat and uninspired performance from the Ressies on Saturday.

There were moments of quality - 2 in fact, both goals - but overall Rockets were the better team. Whilst they spent the majority of the game passing and moving, our lot were punting aimlessly and lumbering about looking unfit.

I’m not going to go into detail about their goals, bar to say that the defending from open play was pretty good from the back four considering the incessant waves of unopposed attacks, but set-piece defending was shambolic, disorganised, half-arsed and the work of men who are waiting for someone else to sort things out.

The shape of the team was nominally 442 - the problem being a gap the size of the Panama Canal between the defence and midfield, meaning from a defensive point of view a 406 formation. The opposition quickly twigged that all they need do to win the game was to wait until we punted the ball out of play/straight to them, before steaming en-mass towards our goal with gleeful expressions on their mugs.

Combined with that was a mind-blowingly poor display of tackling - not so much ‘after you’ as ‘here is all my money and the keys to my car’ - the weakest I have ever seen from people in a Cotswool shirt, even taking into account the girlfriends’ game in the 2003 tour of Devon.

The attacking play was disjointed, lacking any sort of coherent passing or movement. There were countless occasions when players with the ball had zero options, due to team-mates being too lazy or unfit to get into a decent position.

Now I know that this year’s crop of players has left the squad somewhat thin, but it really is time for the current lot to start taking games by the scruff of the neck - to shout at each other, communicate, tackle - or if out of position, FOUL. Take some responsibility - if your team-mate is struggling, encourage them, bollock them, help them, MOVE.

In the meantime, some sort of fulcrum player is needed in the middle, to sit in and make sure the shape of the team isn’t lost every time the ball is punted upfield and everyone runs after it like giddy 7 year-olds.

Also - individuals now need to take action to improve their very poor fitness. Too many were standing around looking knackered just after half-time, and frankly, we’re not good enough to get away with being unfit - it leads to mistakes and a lack of communication - fair enough when you are returning after injury or enforced absence, but not if you have been playing regularly.

Right. The goals - first one an effective move culminating in a good shot from Lynchy that Heron followed up and buried in the roof of the net, the second a good header across the keeper from a lovely floated freekick from Rob.

The ebb and flow of the game is irrelevant. A solid team shape is needed, ALL players need to start being more vocal than they have ever been before, commit more fouls than ever before, risk injury, put some bloody work in, and then, THEN, we might stand a chance of feeling good about playing for Cotswool again.

Ratings:

Jimmer: 7. Didn’t do much wrong - they didn’t have many shots but the ones they had were either unmissable or unstoppable from a keeper’s point of view.

Rich: 6. Some solid covering and heading undone by some pretty feeble tackling I’m afraid.

Berridge: 7. Scored a goal and put some decent tackles in, but made a mistake to give away a goal. On the comeback trail after returning from paternity leave.

Adam: 7. Played through injury and did pretty well considering. Needs to get goal-side of his man consistently. Was marking their tricky forward and should possibly taken him out rather earlier in his dribbles but maybe that’s just what I would have done and then got sent off.

Rob: 7.5. Made a couple of mistakes but on the whole was our most creative outlet at right back. Should take all free-kicks. *** STAR MAN *** (It’s all relative - he wasn’t that good.)

Lynch: 6. Good assist for the first goal but relentlessly gave the ball away after that. More movement and communication needed.

Heron: 6.5. As always, much hard work put in, but not one of the best days in terms of passing and tracking back. Needs to play with a more defensive player in midfield otherwise the midfield is too flat and offers no cover or options.

Lee: 6. Played ok in the first half, winning key headers, but faded hugely after half time. Needs to either sit much deeper, or play in behind the strikers, as his days as a Roy Keane-style box-to-box midfielder may be over..

Rikky: 6. Not a good day for the Rikster. Passing was well off, and the challenges were pretty namby for a tough lad - needs to start getting physical.

Zain: 7. Didn’t see the ball until he dropped deeper into midfield to get it, but was composed and actually showed flashes of footballing intelligence when he did. Not that many of his passes connected, but then nobody was in a position to be passed to in the first place.

Luke: 6. Put some hard work in, but received no service whatsoever. Didn’t make much of possession when he managed to get hold of it - looks slightly out of form but that will return. Needs to be more vocal as has good presence.

Subs: Mo, Nick & Graeme.

Sounds like a time for a fresh appraisal of our approach to the game lads. Lets make sure we’re focused, enthusiastic and ready for some hard work and hard tackles on Saturday.

Right, I am bored watching the beginning of Valencia/Real Madrid so i thought i would do the write up for todays match comprising not only of my thoughts but also mixed with comments from other players, the manager and generally how things are going.

Cotswool have now been in decline for about 8 games, both the firsts and the reserves and despite missing players we should not be losing to Easton Cowboys.

Eddie gave us a good bollocking at half time that has long been needed. If we carry on playing like we are then we WILL get relegated. FACT. And this is what some people dont seem to understand. We have to seriously up our levels of effort if we want to carry on playing first division football.

Eddie also said it right that we are watching our season go down the drain, week in, week out and only a fraction of players seem up for the fight. The worst thing about this is that we PAY to do this?!?!?!?!?

Losing to Easton Cowboys after everyone giving 110% can be forgiven but we are too quiet, we dont challenge enough and we dont want to win enough to put the effort in.

Ratings (be prepared)

Smiler: Stood in for Jimmer with a bad groin (still) should have done much better for the first two goals but made a few saves after that. Kicking was good though. 6.5

Will: No major mistakes and no faults for the goals, good performance but maybe a bit more talking in a quiet side. 6.5

Danny: In the first team again at CB, one of the only voices heard throughout the match. A couple of mix ups with Smiler when it needed a voice by one of them but it didnt result in a goal. Battled well for 90 mins. 7

Duds: We really needed his drive and voice in midfield and it showed when he moved back to midfield in the second half when Paul was injured. Another voice that was heard throughout the match when it was needed. Needs to not let the ball run out for a needless corner though, he was the only one who thought it was a goal kick! 7

Craig: His usual self, didn’t let his man beat him but can always be a bit more vocal. Showed his class when he moved into the middle and Duds moved to CM, we need his calmness there week in, week out. 7

Stu: Worked his socks off, he was winning the ball in CM, attacking out wide and was one of the very few players that played with the desire to win out there today. Had a few shots that didnt really trouble the keeper but he was up for it on a day when most others weren’t. 8 **STAR MAN**

Paul: Not in his usual position of out on the wing but chased the opponents down and worked hard. As a CM we need much much more talking in the middle of the park. Went off injured after getting fouled. 7

Gee: Not his greatest game, was out of position more than usual but didnt give the ball away too much when he did win it. Was a bit more vocal than usual which was good amongst our very very quiet team today. 6.5

Andre: A good first ten mins but then went missing for big parts of the game. He is a luxury player and if he plays then we need to find a way to focus the team around how he plays, not just chuck him in and expect him to do it by himself. Could be alot more vocal and for his size needs to win more in the air. Scored a nice free kick with pretty much the last kick of the game. 7

Chris: Another quiet player who tried hard, ran his socks off but it just didnt click too well today. Like Andre, needs to win more in the air although he did win his fair share of tackles today. Just needs to talk throughout the match too. 7

Eddie: Gave us the bollocking we needed at half time and ran his socks off up top. Still missed a couple of chances that any other time he would have put away. 7.5

Subs:

Rich: Came on at LB when Paul went off injured (another injury) and done ok. Needed to come to the ball when it was heading his way but cleared his lines when needed. 7

Overall a bloody rubbish performance. We need to take a long hard look at ourselves this week. We pay to do this every week and it’s not on.  If we want to play in the second division and send our reserves down aswell then carry on as we are.

We are too quiet throughout matches, we lacked that bite in midfield today and we need players to step up in the future and be counted. One thing that was generally agreed is that in future matches we need the spine of the team to be strong. We need a decent keeper (Moxy when fit or Jimmer when he is not, not a stand in).

We also need Craig at CB and Duds in CM as in the second half when this happend we controlled the game alot more. Shortages can be made up in the other positions but we need this spine, including Rob when fit as we lacked his fighting spirit and voice today too (bloody groins).

There is no doubt that when Moxy is fit, Duds, Paul and Craig in best positions, Steve E, Smiler, Rob, Nima and Chris B also back that we will do better but that facts are these players were missing and we have to stand up and perform when we havent got a full team.

We need a kick up the arse again (after Eddies word) and it has to happen next week against Kris Akabusi and his bunch of twatty gobby mates. We NEED a win next week to get things back on track. Confidence is low yes, players are missing, yes but we can change that in ONE match by putting the effort in that is required and getting a win.

Let’s get the job done next week and turn this season around. This time last season we were TOP. And NO players have left the club since then. You do the maths.

Lets move on a get a solid win next week.

Attendance:2 (Steve and Rich, ie. manager and sub, we didnt even deserve that.)

5.12.09 Ressies 0 Hydez 4

After an 8-1, pants-down and take it up the Gary humiliation at the hands of Hydez in our all-too-recent previous meeting, it was imperative the Ressies did all we could to ready ourselves for this game. Our strongest squad was needed and preparations had to be meticulously organised. Unfortunately, this is Cotswool and that was never going to happen was it?

The tone was set when Rob sent a Saturday morning text confirming the game’s were on and asked anyone who couldn’t make it to let him know. Within seconds, his phone was bleeping like R2D2 having a stroke. The upshot of this was we started the game with 10 men and a lineo- Nick deciding against starting because Mo was hotfooting it from Easton and due to arrive any second. He didn’t.

Maybe being a man down and massive underdogs galvanized us, because the first half-hour saw some of our best play of the season. We marked well, tracked and hassled and closed ‘em down all over the pitch- sterling defensive work, complemented with some neat passing moves as we tried to get the newly-fit(ish) Luke in on goal. Nick’s attentive flagging meant we could play offside with confidence too.

Before the half-hour mark Nick decided we could wait no longer for Mo and brought himself on. Obviously, our AWOL striker turned up within seconds of this happening. Handed the flag instead, he did his best to be excused ever having to run the line again by variously ignoring the action/following the action all the way into the wrong half. Nice try, Mo… much better contribution once he came on for a disgruntled Ricky in the second.

Best ball control of the half was when Dibs took one right in the knackers and after some unseemly writhing and crotch-clutching spent the rest of the game waiting for a teste to descend from his lungs.

Goalless at half time and we’d given ourselves a great chance to push on and maybe sneak a memorable win.

Except…except…we don’t fucking do that at Cotswool any more do we? Whether it’s a fitness issue, a mentality issue or both (I’m discounting tactics cos they rarely get a mention) , we’ve spent the last few games coming out for the second half and getting steamrollered- sloppy goals, misplaced passes, poor marking, loss of rhythm… same old story against Hydez. Once they’d got their opener- high ball controlled well, striker played in behind for a smart finish- you could see them get their confidence back after a shaky first 45. All of a sudden we couldn’t deal with them. We huffed and puffed but couldn’t get Mo or Luke into the game. Three more goals I’m too depressed to describe and we trudged off with a 4-0 defeat to chew over on the 6-mile walk trudge from the sea walls.

Ratings

Smiler 7.5  Played well, especially after aggravating his delicate groin (oo-er) in the warm-up. Couldn’t do a lot for the goals, although was a statue for the second. Gave us all an excellent bollocking in the second half too.

Chris A 6.5 Out of position at rightback- few good touches but didn’t seem to enjoy it there

Lee 7.5 Excellent first half, deserted his post a little in the second as he tried to get things happening further forward.

Dibs-   Enjoyed the scrap at the back with Lee and got stuck in. Tricked too easily by the striker’s control and turn for their second goal.

Rob- 7.5 Tidy and solid in the first, helped push us forward in the second but all too often lacked an outlet.

Rik- 6.5 Stretched them down the wing in the first half, saw little of the ball in the second (like the rest of us). A little unlucky to subbed early.

Rich- 8* Another impressive performance- dynamic and busy with good close control. Maybe got a little greedy as the match slipped away from us but I’m being harsh with that one. *Star Man.*

Heron 7.5 Awkward bugger to play against, as always. Hardworking and handy but not his best game. Has       high standards to meet

Lynch 7.5 Kept them occupied down his flank with well-timed runs and pressured the defence into mistakes. Faded a little but encouraging performance.

Luke 7 Good to have him back, glimpses of sharpness which we’ll see more of once fully match fit. Needed us to play him in more.

Spending Friday night wondering if the games were on, there a suprise on Saturday morning that the games were on, despite all the rain. More rain was forecasted for the day so we were in for a treat.

We were on the pitch that stands right in the middle of a hill so big that the silky deft hoofing that is often seen could actually been seen as a defence splitting through ball. Happy days.

A last minute change with first Jimmer going in goal, then he had to dash off so Smiler stepped up. Then Jimmer was back in goal, then Smiler again and Jimmer was getting an early xmas present from Rob/Nick and let loose on the left wing.

We started brightly, playing up the hill but with the wind (and rain) behind us. We were getting in to their box often and took the lead when Mo hit a volley into the top corner from distance. A cracking goal, taken well and we had the upper hand.

They pushed forward but didn’t really threaten too much, with Adam and Dibs clearing up well in the middle and Rich and Rob not letting any crosses coming over.

We went 2-0 (i think) when good work from Rik meant he had a good shot, the keeper saved and Zain was on hand to tap in the rebound.

St Andrews pulled one back when a throughball wasnt ruled out for offside although everyone stopped because they were convinced he was. Smiler should have dived all over the ball instead of trying to stretch to control it because a dodgy groin and no warm up meant the ball rolled right into the path of their striker who tapped into an empty net.

Quick feet from Zain in the box upset their defenders and they brought him down to earn a penalty. Rob hit it low to the keepers left and he dived the wrong way. 3-1 HT.

The message at half time was to keep doing what we were doing, work hard, pressure them and keep it simple.

In the second half St Andrews just played long ball really. Hoofing it with the wind and rain behind them they got through a few times. They pulled one back with a shot to Smilers left that he got a hand too but not enough to stop it going in.

We had a bit of lack of support in the second half for the front two. We didnt have the ball in their box on the floor too much and it was mostly crosses that St Andrews kept clearing. We had the rain in our faces which made things harder and then another ball over the top of our centre backs was chased down by their striker. Rob came across to cover and was about to stick his foot in on the edge of the box when Smiler shouted “keepers”, then gets nut-megged as their striker puts it into an empty net. Twat.

Jimmer almost scored a last minute winner but their keeper saved, then launched the ball upfield when a slight slip by Adam in the mud pit enabled their striker to hit a 25yard volley over the stranded Smiler and that was the final whistle. A defeat which was horrible. Fitness showed in the end I think and as we tired against the onslaught of St Andrews players, long balls, wind and rain it got the better of us this time.

Smiler: No warm up and dodgy groin meant in took until the second half to get into the game. Got to most of the balls first but still should have done better for two of the goals. 7

Rich C: Didn’t let any crosses come in from his side, battled well. Could have maybe got forward a bit more when he had the chance but a solid performance nonetheless. 7.5

Adam: Stopped everything in the first half with Dibs, the onslaught in the second half was a bit too much over the 45 mins. Unlucky slip on the last goal. 7.5

Dibs: Same as Adam really, nothing got past in the first half, some crunching tackles and made no mistakes. Stood up to the onslaught well in the second half. 7.5

Rob: Like Rich, no crosses came in from his side either. Cleared well, took the goal kicks to save my groin and scored a penalty as cool as Jermain Defoe banging 5 past Wigan, perhaps that could be Rob’s new nickname?  8

Rik: Didn’t see too much of the ball in the first half as the wind kept it away from him when out wide. Good shot saved for Zain to score and got some quality crosses in when he did have it. Didn’t see that much in the second half either before being replaced. 7.5

Lee: Got a foot or head on nearly everything in the first half, breaking up their play and starting attacks. Disappeared a bit in the second half as St Andrews came through the middle alot. Looked like he had played 120 mins just before kick off due to the effort even put in during his warm up. 7.5

Rich E: Great going forward with little turns and twists that they couldn’t handle. Admitted himself he could have defended better throughout the 2nd half but was dangerous going forward still and with the wind starving the wingers of the ball he was our main creative force going forward. 8.5 **STAR MAN**

Jimmer: Rare outfield role for Jimmer, playing left wing for the first time since Smiler was last in goal for the firsts with a dodgy groin again! Nearly scored the winner and worked hard, putting himself about. 8

Mo: Cracking goal, ran his socks off chasing every ball down. Was starved of the ball a bit in the 2nd half and therefore wasn’t as dangerous as the game wore on. 7.5

Zain: Worked hard again, chasing balls down. Reacted quickly to score his goal and got brought down for the penalty. Pipped to the star man because like Mo, he didn’t see much of the ball throughout the second half as we were on the back foot. 8

Luke: Came on for Ricky and battled well. Tried to feed the strikers but crossing into the wind made it hard. Chased back well. 7.5

Overall a good first half and a poor second half. Perhaps if we were all a bit fitter we could have done slightly better but it was always going to be hard in those conditions. Needless to say a two goal lead slipped away and i’m sure that won’t happen again. Bring on next week!

All games on Saturday 14th Nov are OFF due to waterlogged pitches. See you in the Clyde at 4:30pm for England v Brazil.

If you wanna watch the silky footballing skills of Cotswool then watch the Inside Out West show on the BBC IPlayer, We’re in the backgroud playing Barcelona in the first game of the season. Mr Bellingham displaying some nice control from an Elford pass and a rampaging run from Smiler are just some highlights, there’s even a scary close up of the Freeman .

Well on paper, this was a banker. Playing against a team at the bottom of the table with no wins all season. Easy. No problems. Walkover. Or was it?

As a team we never really got going, they played better than us, had more possession, seemed to be more up for it and generally deserved to win. It was probably the worst performance of the season, characterised by poor passing and general play. The fact that they won the game with the last kick of the game after being 2-0 down just made it even worse.

The first half was slightly deceiving and although we were not playing badly we soon found ourselves 2-0 up. The first was through a 25 yard Andre free kick that deflected off the wall and into the net after some relatively neat build up play through the middle and the second I could not make out from my position between the sticks, although I believe it was a ball centred in from out wide and turned in by Stu (although I have a suspicion that I could be wrong, so apologies to whoever did score if it was not Stu).

Despite racing into a lead, Bell found themselves back in the game by ½ time having pulled a goal back with about 10 minutes remaining in the half. To be fair, although their player should not have had a free header from about 10 yards out, he finished strongly into the top corner.

The second half was similar to the first, with Bell dominating for long periods. They found themselves level mid way through the half, after an initial save by Moxey was then turned into the net by the Bell player. Moxey’s goal was pretty much under siege for the remainder of the game and they should have had it wrapped up before they did. However, the final blow was that they scored their goal with a finish into the bottom corner with the last kick of them game. Personally, I thought it was a legitimate goal but Graham as the lino and Elford (who were both much closer than I was) were both convinced that the ball had crossed the goal line before he passed it and that it should have been disallowed. After much protestation, the ref did not change his mind and the goal stood.

Moxey 7.5 – Did not do anything wrong, made some good saves.

Graham 6 – Was troubled by their left winger on a regular basis

Smiler 7 – Did not really shine, but equally did not have a bad game

Craig 8* – Star Man. Found himself doing 2 jobs, as was covering for Graham quite a bit, thus leaving gaps in the centre. Won everything in the air again.

Elford 7 – Did ok in the general scheme of things. Made some good tackles and plenty of running

Nima 6 – Not one of his better games. Have seen Nima play a lot lot better. Unplayable on his day and the most skillful player we have but did not really notice him today, which just shows how little we actually had of the ball.

Gee 7 – Same as smiler. Did ok.

Kenward 6 – Limped off injured and we missed his aggression

Stu 7 – Contributed in places

Andre 7.5 - Full of running and energy, a real find. Scored a free kick but had little service thereafter so found it hard to impose his game. Moved to left back to combat their right winger.

Ed 6 – Much like Andre – had little service so could do little in the game.

Steve Freeman 6 – came on to shore up the defence and bravely put himself up against their tricky right winger.

Sabri 6 – Made little impression on the game

Cots res Vs Sneyd Res 31.10.09

Sneyd : 2nd in the legue, played 9, won 7, drawn 1, lost 1.

Cotswool : On a run of 4 straight defeats, squad depleted from injuries and first team requirements.

The odds weren’t brilliant but we had a decent side out so lets give this one a go.

The odds were made worse however as Cots slowly realised that Sneyd had an extra player - a silver fox with a strange black kit and a whistle. Our keeper Ian tried to make a connection by turning up sporting a similar white barnett but it didn’t work. Sneyd were whinging, going in studs up, pushing in the back etc mostly getting away with the lot. But every time a cots player went up for a header or in for a challenge their mysterious player in black seemed to make a whistling noise and Sneyd would get a free kick. Maybe playing on the dons for 50 years earns you this treatment, so maybe in around 30 years time we may get some decisions go our way also. Much complaining from Danny, Chopper and Lee seemed to falling on deaf ears, so on with the game.

The first 5 mins Sneyd controlled possession and looked dangerous, then cots started to settle. Sneyd continued pushing for another 20 mins and were looking to take the lead, but were mainly restricted to half chances. As they pushed forward a few breakaways from Cots had sneyd stretched at the back so the first goal would be crucial. It came from a corner for sneyd their striker pushing Danny away so early that the ref was still looking at the corner flag. The striker was so overjoyed at getting away with this that he mis-cued his header and nodded it down into the floor. The ball bounced up off a downs divet right into the top corner. 1-0

Going down kickstarted cots into action. Rob, Rich Evans and Lee started linking up with Heron and together, and Chris Lynch and Richy Crowder had a few runs down the flanks. The equiliser came after Heron peeed off his marker making a run down the right flank. Rich E found him with a slotted pass from the middle, great ball whipped to the back post from Herons right boot. In steams Richy C from the wing to bundle the ball home with a combination of head/chest/leg - they all count! 1-1

Half time approaching and the game was in the balance. Sneyd cross the ball from the byline leading to a controversial penalty. The ball hits the raised arm of Lee after ricocheting up off his thigh. Dont know what the rulebook says about that, but Lee was off the pitch as the ball hit his arm so I dont think it should have counted. The ref was only ever going to give it one way - penalty. 2-1. Cots finally get players and the ball around their box and the ref blows his whistle - half time. Thanks ref.

Half time brought the usual habit of chatting about being unlucky to be down, keeping it tight and getting something from the 2nd half. Kick off brought the usual habit of undoing all the good talk and conceding in the first 3 minutes of the second half.

Another 3 goals followed in quick succession. Cant remember the order but they involved their left winger getting in behind chopper to score, their striker peeling off Adam for a free header, and Dibble passing in the box instead of hoofing it. Needless to say a shambles at the back undoing a fairly solid first half defensive performance.  6-1. Thank god for Danny or it may have been more,

It could have turned into an ass whooping, but impressivly heads didn’t drop and cots kept playing.  Synd were pushing on for more goals when they should have been shutting up shop.  This stretched the game allowing cotswool space to play some nice football and own the last 20 mins.  Willsey replaced lee and slotted in at left back moving Dibble to holding midfield.  Can’t remember how he recieved it, but as the ball came to Lynchie he controlled it on his thigh and smashed it near post into the top corner.

Another re-jig going 4 4 2.  Rickie on for Dibble slotting in right midfield allowing Lynchie to push on up front with Heron in the hole.  The ball breaks to Richie C on the left who finishes tidily at the near post.  Then Lynchie chases a long ball to the edge of the box, nicks it off the keeper who can’t pick it up, and dribbles on for an easy tap in.  A shot from Rich E and general pressure had Cots looking more dangerous, and with Richie and Lynchie on a hat trick 6-6 was on the cards, but it wasn’t to be.

A commited performance against a good side.  A bit tighter at the back and we should be putting away teams below us.  Lets take the positive attitude and never say die mentality into the next game.

Ian - 7 - Maybe could have done more for the first goal but unlucky with the rest. Kicking much improved on last season, but needs to talk to the defense more.

Adam - 6.5 - Solid at times but unusually lost his man a few times. Could have been better with his head, too many bounces.

Danny Burke - 8.5 - *star man*  It may seem strange giving star man to a defender when we have conceded 7, but it would have been a lot more were it not for Danny. A captains performance, he led by example. Solid throughout and composed on the ball.

Dibble - 6.5 - Playing out of position he struggled at Left back. Made a few crunching tackles as usual, but caught out of position and done for pace a few times. Could have done with more cover in front of him, he found himself marking 2 players at times

Chopper - 6.5 - Playing out of position he struggled at Right back. Made a few crunching tackles as usual, but caught out of position and done for pace a few times. Needs to improve fitness, be more decisive in the challenge, and learn when to drop off.

Lee - 7.5 - Did well in holding midfield, breaking up play and making a nuisance of himself. Covered the defense, its a shame he had to come off with 30 mins to go.

Richy Crowder - 7 - second  start for the ressies and he grabs 2 goals! Looked composed with the ball at feet and passed well, but caught in possession a few times. Needs to work on positioning and defense as he left Dibble exposed too may times.

Rob F - 7 - A rare outing at centre mid. He linked up well in the 1st half with those around him, solid tackling to win possession and not giving it away. Became more anonymous 2nd half and found it harder to get in the mix.

Rich Evans - 8 - All action first performance from Rich. When on the ball he had good vision and looked like making things happen. But unfortunately he was restrited most of the game to scrapping, tackling, heading and putting his boot in - welcome to the downs league! More to come from the welsh wizard.

Chris Lynch - 7.5 - Took his goals well, the first a cracker. Had the running on their left back and had so much space he was almost playing as a striker. But didn’t see enough of the ball, needs to be more vocal and scream for it when in that much space.

Heron - 7.5 - Worked his socks off on his own up front causing a few problems for their defense. Grabbed a great assist, but could have done with a bit more support. For the first time in living memory he struggled to win his headers

Dave Wills - 7 - Slotted in left back with 30 mins left. Looked tidy and improved on his first performance. Didn’t waste possession and played some nice balls down the wing. Could have been stroner in the challenge electing to run them to the byline instead of tackling at times. Learning when to stand up and when to go through it will come with match experience.

Ricky - 7.5 - Played last 20 mins right midfield. Good performance, full off running, found the space well and utilised possession. Played a few nice crosses, looked keen to get going after returning from injury. Maybe he has cut back on the Moroccan woodbines?

Crowd - 6 - Luke A, Ben shouting alot, a couple of matey-boys, and about 20 of the sneyd fan club.

And the 1st team stats. Ed leading the goal tally with the Iron Sheik not far behind whilst last years top player Craig is once again hitting the highest ratings with Dudley closing in. Kenners with the only dismissal of the season but i’m told it was 7 yellow card offences in one game that lead to the camply coloured pink card being shown ~ much like one of his shirts he dons on a night out in sloanes. 1st-team-player-stats-09-10

A few early season stats for those keen on current form. First up the ressies. New stiker Luke banging the goals in with a few others chipping in. Ben seems to be setting the pace for the average ratings and hopefully Kev can pick up where he left off when he returns from injury before the end of the year. And of course chopper living up to his name with the only caution for the ressies so far this term. ressie-player-stats-09-10

Writing a review of an 8-1 defeat is not the most appealing prospect yet I don’t feel restricted by a lack of positives to take from the game which emphasises the strange position we found ourselves after 90 minutes when the reserves walked from the pitch having conceded twice as many goals as they have done in a single game all season.

The game was closely contested for the first 15 minutes or so with both teams playing pretty well, Cots playing good passing football in the middle of the park whilst Hydez looked dangerous going forward. Hydez took the lead after they picked up a freekick on the edge of the box and finished it by curling well in to the top right hand corner of the goal. Shortly after the second goal was conceded as both keeper and defender was beaten at the near post from a throw in and the ball was scrambled across the line for Hydez second.

Despite the frustration at the two relatively quick goals and with plenty of time to play in the first half Cots picked up their game and threatened with some probing balls forward in search of Sabri and Steve up front. The breakthrough came when Rob pressed forward from defence and placed a timed through ball in to the run of Steve who calmly passed the keeper with an assured finished which clipped the inside of the post to make the score 2-1 and bring Cots back in to the game.

The resurgence was short lived as Hydez quickly were back attacking and wer allowed through the defence to make it 3-1 to Hydez at Half Time.

Feeling aggrieved and that the team deserved more then to be 3-1 down at half time a positive team talk sent the Rezzies back on to the pitch with the firm belief that the game was there for the taking if we continued to play well and kept it tight at the back. This positive attitude was undone just after half time with a dreadful 10 minute spell of errors and poor organisation which sent the score from 3-1 to 7-1. Its a haze as to the order of the 4 goals as they went in so quickly one after the other but twice Cots were beaten by a staggered defence which left time and space for the opposition to finish. A dodgy call by the keeper from a long ball was left by Rob and this allowed the striker in to lift the ball over James. This goal was followed up by a fumble again from the keeper which allowed the ball to creep in under his body.

To take the piss further the 8^th goal was a spawny but decent shot/cross which dropped in the top corner at the far post. Gutted!

For the final 15 minutes Cots continued to try and play football with determination to create a few goals of their own but the flood of goals early in the second half clearly left the team frustrated and as the final whistle was blown everyone took a minute to digest to score line and to attempt to understand why we had taken such a beating despite a tightly contested game which involved spells or positive and creative play.

But for a number individual errors and a few moments of madness we all new that this was a game that we could have taken something out of. The positive attitude at half time was great and the belief throughout the 90 minutes is something that should be taken in to the next game on Saturday…

Heads up and we move on!

James  5.5        One to forget, some bad decisions and fumbles at the wrong time

Bruce    7.0        Slightly exposed positionally playing at right back but secure on the ball none the less

Dibs     6.5        First game of the season so was slightly off the pace at times but was solid for much of the game

Rob F   7.5        Comfortable on the ball and created Cots only goal

Rich      7.5        Took a while to get in to the game but grew as the game went on and finished the game solidly

Nick      7.0        Good on the ball and always looked to create openings for the strikers

Danny   7.5        Worked hard in the middle to break down the opposition

Ben      7.4        Back from injury and always looked to create openings for the strikers

Zain      6.5        Limited opportunities down the left wing

Sabri    6.0        Struggled to get in to the game, searched for the ball but lacked control in front of goal

Steve    7.6        MOM - Looked dangerous upfront, had a couple of chances denied by the keeper but picked up Cots only goal with a neat run and finish

Subs:

Chris Lynch       Some fresh legs required to lift the game, hard to make an impact when your 5-1 down

Dave Wills        Came on mid-way through the second half at center back, moved to right back late on

Grahame           Came on late in to the game at 7-1, a tough time to change the game     

RC

Lion FC 4 - 2 Cots (Res)

The original ‘Rumble in the Jungle’, had 2 heavyweights in the fight of the century, this had 2 teams, scrapping on the downs, pitch number who knows, who cares, just bloody miles away from anywhere and the jungle was the 2ft long grass, where football was trying to be played on!! Start of the game, team sheet as follows, 11 players, subs 0, so main aim of the game, win & don’t get injured as you’re playing 90 mins whether you like it or not! A cagey start with blows being traded from one box to another, then we received an upper cut from the school of Rory Delap, long throw, header, goal. Heads not dropping cots worked there way back in, with some good passing and possession, which led to a jab fest in the box, leading to Mr Ball hitting Mr Hand of a Lion……PENALTY!!

Cool as the Fonz, Rob tucked it away and the cots were level on points, even though the crowd told the keeper where it was going, the power and precision could not help the keeper. The Cots then seemed to start to play, Bruce and Luke linking well and causing trouble down the left, with Nick & Danny doing the same down the right. A Ball over the top from Danny allowed Luke to give chase, however, maybe with hindsight, going for a header against Desperate Dan at the back and the goalkeeper was not the best of ideas…Keepers knee in ribs, funny girl like yelp and Luke hit the deck like a lead balloon.

Second half started and the 11 cots players were still having a half time orange and drink, long throw, long hoof up front and we were 2-1 down. The game then crumbled into a game of hot potato, no one wanting to keep the ball for more than 2 passes. The game did start to calm down, when we went 3-1 down, some confusion in defence and Jamie was left with no chance, up to then had kept us in the game with some fine saves. Cots found there way a second time and a ball through from Luke T allowed Luke A to get the legs going up to ‘nippy’ pace and a LEFT foot tonk found the back of the net. Lions were dazed & confused and a moment later it could of been level, this time the ball was cut back from the by line, and it was just lifted over the bar from Luke T. Another few half chances came as Cots pushed to equalise, but then the sucker punch came and Lions got there fourth, unlucky headed clearance found wrong team and 4-2 was the score.    

A great effort from the Cots that deserved more, just lack of subs and first team action for some boys coming back from injury, prevented us from getting a result. 

The Ratings

Jamie -     7.5 Fine saves kept us in the game, had little chance with the goals.

Rich  -      6.0 Good innings, still  finding his feet in new position

Grahame - 6.0 solid in the air, had trouble with pacy forward 

Rob F     - 7.0 lead at the back, good pen, unlucky at the end.

Rich        - 6.0 Solid tackling throughout & support in attack

Nick        - 6.0 linked well in midfield, but 90 mins took its toll

Danny*     - 7.6 Star Man, god knows how many tackles, general in midfield

Bruce      - 7.2 Box to box running & support, started most moves. 

Luke T     - 6..4 Great ball through for goal, unlucky not to score

Zain        - 6.0 Played well for 1st game back, tired near the end

Luke A   -  6.5 upfront alone, scored, but broke main rule of game, don’t get injured!

Has anyone picked up a black Nike long sleeved top?

it’s the sort girls like me wear under the shirt when it’s a little bit nippy and i lost it Sat after the game (not in a pub this time)  !!!!

Rob K

Cotswool 2 - 3 Ashley

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Words can not describe how this match made me feel. But they’re going to have to. With a patchy start to the season behind us and a GFA Cup first round exit at the hands of Kris Akabusi and his Greyhounds the week before, what better a time to get things moving than by despatching the much loved Ashley from the Norman Hardy Cup and actually getting beyond the first round for a change

Well, there obviously must have been a better time, because we didn’t despatch Ashley and continued our miserable run of form in the cup(s). With a few regulars missing, the starting line up was rejigged a little. Moxey in goal, Duds dropped back to centre half with Craig as Chris was waiting for his wife to give birth, accompanied by Smiler and Steve at fullback. Midfield regulars Gee and Rob Kenward were accompanied by Stu on the left and the potentially incendiary Khajavi duo of Nima and Dan (Dan on the right, Nima in the attacking midfield/‘second striker’ role) with Ed up front.

A somewhat lacklustre warm up, initially featuring no footballs, set the tone for Cotswool. Once the balls (delayed in traffic) had arrived, some of the team engaged in an activity called ‘passing’ and there were simply not enough of the tried and tested long range pot shots on goal. The disappointing nature of the warm up was mirrored in Cotswool’s backward start to the game. Smiler got caught in possession on the right and saw his opposite number race into the penalty area where Duds pulled off a majestic tackle. Back on his feet, Duds then blocked a shot, but it looked like it was with his arm. The ref played on, Ashley missed a strike on goal and a penalty was awarded. 1-0. All the excitement of a whole game in under a minute. However, that clearly wasn’t enough and Cotswool continued to wave Ashley through with unreserved generosity. It wasn’t long before they’d scored another, with more indecision allowing matey to hook a speculative shot over his shoulder and in. Rob Kenward was trying to lead the resistance but only succeeded in committing a number of fouls which eventually the ref couldn’t ignore. After the 70th, he took Rob aside and booked him.  

Only after having all but given the game away did Cotswool decide they might get involved. Managing to stitch together some reasonable attacking play, Rob received a pass from Dan just inside the penalty area. An Ashley defender left his foot in where it shouldn’t have been as Rob tried to turn and there was little he could do but fall over it. Duds stroked the resulting penalty home calmly and Cotswool were back in the game. Or so you thought. A moment later the ball was launched forward by the Ashley ‘keeper, allowed to bounce to an Ashley forward who (some say) controlled it with his arm before finishing to make it 3-1.

B*gger. Ashley seemed to lose their way after this and Cotswool kept going at it. Chances weren’t spewing forth, but the game evened out as the ‘Wool created more pressure. A throw in deep behind enemy lines from Steve Elford was flicked on by Rob Kenward and somehow poked in by Ed from an acute angle. 3-2, there was hope in this game yet. Moments later Steve Elford popped up at the back post and struck a volley from a cross on the left, only to see it rebound off the post. Oh the agony. Not long after, the ref blew for half time and despite the sloppiest of starts Cotswool were still in the game whilst Ashley were no doubt a bit rattled.

For once Cotswool picked up were they left off in the opening moments of the second half. And, regrettably, so did Rob Kenward. One stunt tackle too many had the ref peeping away on his whistle like a boiling kettle and Rob was a goner. Second yellow followed inevitably by red (or a lurid fluorescent pink in this case - you couldn’t miss it either way). Curiously, Cotswool seemed unaffected by his departure, if anything, it heralded a redoubling of their efforts. The game was pretty open and Cotswool appeared to have the attacking edge but they just couldn’t make anything of it, numerous shots being sent high and wide and the Ashley goalkeeper just not having to earn his keep often enough.

A frantic finale arrived, with a last minute Cotswool corner being only cleared to Steve Elford on the left wing. His first cross was blocked by an Ashley defender, in the penalty area, seemingly with his arm: ‘Penalty?!?!’ ‘No’ said the ref. The ball rebounded straight to Steve, who tried again. His second cross was blocked by the same Ashley defender, definitely with his arm. ‘Penalty?! Surely?! Come on?!’ ‘No’. Argghhhh!!!!! Cue apoplexy in the Cotswool ranks, a hurried clearance and not long after, full time. The first one was debatable, the second one not, a clear penalty and a number of Ashley players were heard to admit as much returning to the changing rooms.  

So Cotswool left ruing the referee’s refusal to dole out enough penalties for a second week running, but the truth is that the game was lost with a sorry opening twenty minutes and an inability to take the chances that were forthcoming in the remainder of the match. Having said that, with only ten men we battled like nobody’s business and could, arguably should, have come out on top. A little bit more of that agression and passion for the game every week might turn this into a season to remember yet. 

The Ratings

Moxey - 8 - His performances have been excellent in the past few weeks. People look scared of him when he comes calling for crosses and they just get out of the way. Hats off.

Steve - 8 - Keeps adapting to life at left back and good energy to get up and down in the second half. Said he’d score and he almost did. If only he had.

Duds - 8 - Stepped back to centre half. Unlucky to give away a penalty after a goal saving tackle, but a good game all round.

Craig - 8 - Peerless as usual. Piled forward with some Beckanbauer style attacking as the game drew to a close.

Smiler - 7.5 - Smiler suffered in the first few minutes but he recovered well to battle it out as always.

Stu - 8 - Accompanied Steve in defence and always an outlet in attack.

Gee - 8 - Never misses a beat in midfield and took up the attacking role so beloved by Nima in the second half as they swapped places.

Rob - 6.5 - Poor Rob. He was flying about from the start (unlike the rest of us) but the ref was on his back from the word go. He didn’t need to make the tackle that got him sent off and he has to lose marks for that, but his contribution whilst on the pitch was there for all to see, wins a penalty and provides the flick on for the other goal…

Nima - 8.5 - *STARMAN* Somehow swapped with Gee as the holding midfielder in the second half. He says this was because he knows if he runs forward he ain’t coming back, I think it’s his unswerving commitment to the team cause. Either way he triggered numerous Cotswool attacks and annoyed Ashley with the ball at his feet. I’m sure we’d all agree this is a good thing.

Dan - 7.5 - Provided the pass to Rob to win the penalty, good with the ball at his feet. Probably needs some fitness work but a worthy debut nonetheless.

Ed - 8 - Snaffled Cotswool’s second and put in a good shift of running around up front.

Sabri - 7.5 - Came on for Dan, ran around a good bit but couldn’t affect the game.

Crowd - Cameraman, dog and the usual suspects.

congratulations to chris and sarah on the birth yesterday of cotswool’s newest youth team member- william beau berridge. expect him to be pulling extravagant turns in his own box and getting booked on a weekly basis in the 2025-26 season.

Lots of photos of the first team huffing and puffing against Ashley on the BBC website. No pictures of Kenward’s dismissal though - surely that was a highlight???

Right, let’s get this over and done with.

We played like an average side and lost 3-1 in the GFA Cup to an average side. The very average GFA cup where the average 1^st team haven’t been past the 1^st round, on average, for over a decade. To be fair to us we were marginally the better average side given the fact that our average football strangely suits playing, on average, into the wind. If only we’d kept it on the deck in the 1^st half we’d of out averaged them. We’ll do them in the league and teach that Scottish handballing fat Kris Akabusi a lesson.

Given our collective frustrations on Saturday I’ve decided to take a different approach to the ratings this week and the comments are based on Sporting Greyhounds initial’s – S G.

Moxey - 7.5– Solid Goalkeeping

Smiler – 7 – Sleepy Goblin

Berridge – 7.5 – Sweaty Git

Craig – 7.5 - Speedy Gnat

Elford – 7.5 - Spongy Girth

Duds – 7.5 - Secret Ginger

Gee – 8.0 *Star Man* - Seriously Good

Andre – 7.5 - Stitched Gash

Nima – 7.5 - Subdued Genius

Kenward 7.5 – Sprawling Golfer

Ed – 7.5 – Slick Gunner

Subs

Stu – 7.5 – Special Gravy

Sabri – 7.5 – Speechless Gypsy

Average score 7.5 – very average.

Average attendance - 3

Right, let’s get this over and done with.

We played like an average side and lost 3-1 in the GFA Cup to an average side. The very average GFA cup where the average 1^st team haven’t been past the 1^st round, on average, for over a decade. To be fair to us we were marginally the better average side given the fact that our average football strangely suits playing, on average, into the wind. If only we’d kept it on the deck in the 1^st half we’d of out averaged them. We’ll do them in the league and teach that Scottish handballing fat Kris Akabusi a lesson.

Given our collective frustrations on Saturday I’ve decided to take a different approach to the ratings this week and the comments are based on Sporting Greyhounds initial’s – S G.

Moxey - 7.5– Solid Goalkeeping

Smiler – 7 – Sleepy Goblin

Berridge – 7.5 – Sweaty Git

Craig – 7.5 - Speedy Gnat

Elford – 7.5 - Spongy Girth

Duds – 7.5 - Secret Ginger

Gee – 8.0 *Star Man* - Seriously Good

Andre – 7.5 - Stitched Gash

Nima – 7.5 - Subdued Genius

Kenward 7.5 – Sprawling Golfer

Ed – 7.5 – Slick Gunner

Subs

Stu – 7.5 – Special Gravy

Sabri – 7.5 – Speechless Gypsy

Average score 7.5 – very average.

Average attendance - 3

For me, the sight of seeing Tristian laughing, and enjoying the game/impending victory was an image that will haunt me for all eternity. Never again must the pedo’s be allowed such an easy victory- even in a mickey mouse cup game.

All the pre match talk about matching the old enemy for effort and commitment was quickly forgotten as no one bothered turning up to play the evil Orangemen.

2^nd to every ball, header or tackle ressies still managed to create a few chances in the first half and should have taken the lead before conceding 2 sloppy (probably) goals. A fine tackle on the keeper by Burke just before the break pulled a goal back and 2-1 down at H-T we were still in the match. Unfortunately, h-t consisted of too much moaning and not enough motivation and the next 25 mins were spent wandering around with heads down, treating the ball like some red headed step child, with whom we had no desire to be associated. We did improve marginally for the last 20mins, creating chances again but by this stage we were 4-1 down. Still, at least we can concentrate on the league and other cup now, and will go back to playing properly next week.

Ratings.

Jamie- 7. No chance with the goals, some good saves (plenty of practice), but communication with inexperienced defence might have been better.

Luke. 6 Difficult task at right back against a powerful torps forward line. Should have had more support from team mates.

Rich. 6 Difficult task at left back against a powerful torps forward line. Should have had more support from team mates.

Chopper. 6. Left exposed to lots of attacks by lack of action in front of him so struggled.

Rob. 6. Left exposed to lots of attacks by lack of action in front of him so struggled.

Heron.5.  Poor game. Lost the midfield battle, gave the ball away too much.

Danny 6.2. Good run for the goal, battled OK but not up to high recent standards.

Lynchie. 7. Actually did get stuck in a bit, and tried to create/carry threat. One of our better performers.

Dan K.6. Didn’t get the ball so couldn’t affect the game, could have worked a bit harder to win ball, but looked much more dangerous up front for last 20.

Nick W 7.1 MOM Some nice link up play up front, including an assist, and helped make the team more solid when switched with Dan late on.

Luke 7. Like Nicorette, looked dangerous in patches. Had to do too much on his own and lacked service

Sub.

Mate. 6. Good comical foul on Torps no 7, which might have left a stud mark somewhere unpleasant.

Crowd. Skipper O’neil, Rick, some others and 10 torpedos subs

Rob Kenward has asked that it be pointed out that he laid on the through ball to Smiler for our second goal against AFC Bohemia. My sincerest apologies to Rob for this error, it was not intended as a slight or to demean his contribution to the Cotswool Team. I am  happy to set the record straight on this matter. Sorry Andre. You’re still star man though.

AFC Bohemia 1 - 5 Cotswool

The dictionary defines a bohemian as:
1.  a native or inhabitant of Bohemia.
2. (usually lowercase) a person, as an artist or writer, who lives and acts free of regard for conventional rules and practices.
3. the Czech language, esp. as spoken in Bohemia.
4. a Gypsy.

None of these really apply to AFC Bohemia.

The dictionary defines a rhapsody as:
1. Music. an instrumental composition irregular in form and suggestive of improvisation.
2. an ecstatic expression of feeling or enthusiasm.
3. an epic poem, or a part of such a poem, as a book of the Iliad, suitable for recitation at one time.
4. a similar piece of modern literature.
5. an unusually intense or irregular poem or piece of prose.
6. Archaic. a miscellaneous collection; jumble.

None of which will probably apply to this match report.

AFC Bohemia are gaining a reputation as one of the first division’s whipping boys. Cotswool over recent years have painstakingly pieced together a reputation as being unable to whip first division whipping boys. This game had a 3-2 scramble written all over it.

But the times they are a-changing. When Bob Dylan penned that famous lyric there can be little doubt that he was referring particularly to Cotswool’s form against the inferior teams in the first division in the 2009-10 Downs league season so far. Cabot have been dispatched with a minimum of fuss and a weak Portland have also been on the receiving end of a beating, losing 7-1 on aggregate over two league matches.

Missing Craig, the ‘Wool welcomed back all time great and multiple trophy winner Rupert Kinder to partner Chris at the back. With Stuart missing, Nima was bumped over to the left of midfield and Rob Kenward returned to the fold with a berth on the right.

Our prematch warm ups are now becoming very popular, so much so that a crowd of 20 or so had gathered behind the goal as we gave it a good pounding (to be fair they were just hanging about having had a kickabout on our pitch). Quality was all that we were really lacking, but no doubt the spectators marvelled at our enthusiasm for kicking the ball really hard ‘at’ the goal and then running to get it once it sailed over the bar. I’m sure they’ll be back next week.

It was important (when isn’t it?) to get off to a bright start and dent the fragile confidence of the Bohemians. We have certainly brushed up on this tactic in recent games and put Bohemia under plenty of pressure. Holes were easily picked in their defence and it wasn’t long before Rob Kenward, displaying a rare (in fact hitherto believed extinct) turn of pace to beat his man down the right, whipped in the perfect low cross for Ed to nip in front of his marker and tuck the ball past the keeper.

Then Smiler was seen rampaging forward from right back, latching onto a through ball from Andre, which he controlled and lashed past the goalkeeper for two nil.

Bohemia started to get a little bit of a foothold after this, but Cotswool were still showing their creative side. Nima made fools of about half the Bohemia line up down the left before crossing an enticing ball in. Ed, on the stretch, could only smash his finish against the cross bar.

No game would be complete without a Cotswool lapse of some sort, and why not give Bohemia a totally undeserved sniff into the bargain? A quick throw in was not cut off by the ‘Wool and Bohemia strung a few passes together before one of their mateys finished from the edge of the six yard box. Oh dear.

Cue half time telling off.

Back into the swing of things, more goals followed. Rob, having rediscovered his pace, was having a wild time and again beat his marker to the bye line before crossing for Ed to finish from a few yards out.

Nima did likewise again on the left later and cut back for Ed to complete his hatrick, before scoring the fifth himself as the goalkeeper failed to keep out his well struck shot from the edge of the area.

So a satisfying result for the ‘Wool against a dissatisfying Bohemia outfit. Attacking brilliance with the ball was mixed with collective ponderance without the ball and the ‘Wool need to sharpen up those basics. 

The ref didn’t cover himself in glory with a vague performance, barely punishing a series of nasty Bohemia tackles and dismissing appeals for a clear foul on Nima when he was through on goal. The main perpetrator of Bohemian bad tackles got his just desserts when he was seen floundering over his own feet in the right corner, tumbling rotundly to the ground under absolutely no pressure from anyone. Ha! How we laughed.

When consulted, post match, for his thoughts on Cotswool’s prospects for the season ahead, first team manager and sage Steve Freeman did not say ‘the answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind…’

The Ratings

Moxey - 8 - A more assured presence between the sticks than ever, decisive coming for crosses and off his line. Blameless for the goal.

Steve - 7.5 - Solid performance from Steve, a relatively untroubled existence at left back.

Chris - 7.5 - Welcomed Rupert back with open arms.

Rupert - 7.5 - Looked like he’d never been away.

Smiler - 8 - Scored a goal, supported Rob in attack and defended well.

Nima - 8 - Would have liked to see more of the ball, when he did get it Bohemia couldn’t live with him on the left. Scored one, created one and got fouled a lot (not all of them given in the aforementioned ‘interesting’ refereeing performance).

Duds - 8 - Duds is the original all action football hero, controlled the midfield with Gee.

Gee - 8 - His usual accomplished, calm self. Controlled the midfield with Duds.

Andre - 8.5 *STAR MAN* - Has had an excellent introduction for the ‘Wool. Roamed free as Bohemia just couldn’t get to grips with him, lots of subtle touches and defence splitting passes.

Rob - 8 - Played out of position on the right but worked hard in attack and set up two goals.

Ed - 8 - Finished chances nicely but also hit the woodwork a couple of times too many.

Sub - Rich - 7.5 - No problems for a ten minute run out and took his linesman duties seriously.

Crowd - Disappeared after watching warm up. Welcome return for Cotswool stalwart Jim alongside the ever present Nima’s dad.

Well done boys our 1st trophy of the season is tucked up safe and sound with a 7-1 aggregate score for the COPO cup (for the uniformed or recently informed that’s the “Cotswool/Portland Cup”, see what they did there). Portland put up more of a fight in the second game to only lose 2-0 but still not good enough to win. We dominated the 1st half but they came at us a bit at the beginning of the 2nd but with 3 good subs on the bench we were able to change things around when needed and finished strongly. A much improved second half compared with the rubbish against CSV the week before just goes to show how important it is to be in control of the centre circle.

Ratings:

Moxey - 8.6 (STAR MAN) Getting more competent in the air and by controlling his box gives all the team added confidence, shouting has improved and dealing with crosses is child’s play to him now…

Smiler - 8.0 - Played well and great communication with Nima in front of him meant they hardly had an attack down our right.

Craig - 8.0 - Typical performance, you get what it says on the tin (if it says man of steel)

Berridge - 8.0 - Did what he does best, kicked the ball, players, air etc. and tried to kill their annoying badger up front before gently asking the ref what he thought of the situation !!!!

Elf - 8.5 - Solid performance from our new marauding left back, move over Roberto Carlos there’s a new big lad in town (only missed out on star man due to the flip of the proverbial coin)

Stu - 8.0 - Up & down all game, covered well and created chance after chance on the attack, like a fine wine he gets better with age.

Gee - 8.0 - Anchored the defence to the midfield and scored possibly the slowest volley in the history of football, although they all count etc. etc.

Duds - 8.0 - Hardened up the midfield when needed and got us back to playing the solid, hard to break down team that we should be.

Andre 8.0 - Good link up play with Eddie and assured finish for our 1st goal

Nima - 8.0 - Played his part in the team this game, always ready to attack but also worked well with Smiler when needed to track back, good game from the 3 touch legend!!

Eddie - 8.0 - Full of running as usual and created Andre’s goal by starting to link up well with our Antipodean cousin (hopefully not too good say Nima and Rob K)

Subs -

Rob K  - 8.0 - Came on for Andre when we needed to shore up the midfield and stop them attacking, helped to retain possession of the midfield and did well.

Paul - 8.0 - Came on when we started looking for the toys that Berridge was throwing around and made sure everything was calm and simple.

Andy - 8.0 - Replaced Eddie and did a good impression of our forward by running around and making himself available

Basically a good game all round lads and hopefully we can use this as the start of a winning run, I believe we’ve not won 2 on the spin for a while, well lets just hope we sort out Bohemia next week, now i’m not a betting man but i reckon a 5-1 drubbing is on the cards………..

Clifton St Vincent’s 3  Cotswool 1

They say when men have a bad day at the office that they go home and kick the cat.  After this performance there will have been cats screaming across the whole of Bristol.  It wasn’t a time to just kick your own cat.  There was a distinct requirement to kick a further few hundred cats and maybe even a dog or two.

Frankly CSV are an average side who rely on one redeeming feature which is their will to compete.  Far too often we were second best in challenges and paid the price. It was 1-1 at half time but rather than step up to our opponents and get hold of the game we chose to whimper out of the game and let them put two past us in the second half.

Our only highlight being a headed goal by Stuart.

I won’t go any further as this report is here for the record and the game needs to be long forgotten.  I’ve given everyone a 5 except Smiler who gets a 6 for keeping the battle going even though many chose to give up by half time.

Special “guest ratings” go to our three substitutes.

Ratings:

Moxey  5

Bruce  5

Chris 5

Smiler 6

Steve 5

Paul C 5

Andre 5

G 5

Nima 5

Stu 5

Eddie 5

Subs:

Duds 5

Rob K 5

Craig 5

A strange game, reffed strangely by a strange ref - this was one for the Downs league purest. Short, hard and lumpy, Pitch 13 is like a midget’s member with a dose of syphillis yet this didn’t seem to bother the casual passing football fan as the crowd topped 20 when the game was at it’s best in the second half. More of that later but this being a match report, I should start near the beginning.

Heron had the honour of the Cotswool captaincy, and lined up in centre mid with Lee. Ably supported at the rear by Chopper and Adam and with Nick and Luke up top, we had a commanding aerial presence through the spine of the team, more than useful as the ball seemed to spend most of the time in the air.

Barcelona started brightly and tried to pass their way to a sight of our goal. This was commendable enough but not very threatening as we defended our 18 yard line resolutely and pushed up quickly to deny space. Hitting the channels, we made Barca concede throw-ins and ultimately, this was where the game was won and lost in the first half. On such a narrow pitch, Luke could pretty much decide whether he wanted to aim for a near post flick on or just bung it to the far post. Either option caused total chaos in the Barca defence. The poor goalie tried to do the right thing but he wasn’t big enough or good enough to deal with it and instead seemed to breed hesitation into his own defence. 5 throws into the game, we were in front, the aforementioned goalie punching it into his defender’s gut and over the line.

Quick on the uptake, barcelona were not. Throw after throw after throw, we absolutely pounded the Barca six yard box and, after several good chances went begging, Heron glanced one in from the near post. 10 minutes later - 3-0, Heron again thumping it past the hapless keeper. At the other end, Barca were reduced to half chances and the only other notable moments came from some truely bizarre refereeing decisions which left both sides equally baffled. Offside from throw-ins, being near the goalie when he kicked it and a free kick awarded for swearing at yourself, the ref tried his best to join in the fun but in a wierd sort of way, nobody really took any notice of him. Anyhow, half time 3-0.

The next goal was likely to be important. Barca were let back into the game by our only real mistake of the afternoon when we failed to clear our lines positively. But credit where credit’s due, we then really pressed for another goal and consequently defended higher up the pitch. Lynchy went close, Heron had a decent header go over, danny hit the bar, the goalie made a couple of good saves but it wasn’t until 5 minutes from the end that our 4th from Danny K, courtesy of a great pass from Luke, fininshed them off. Barca had played good football, but were guilty of believing their own hype. Pitch 13 is not the Nou Camp for crying out loud.

Ratings:

Jimmer:  7.5  Didn’t really do anything, though was responsible for enticing 11 supporters to watch the second half.

Rob F:    7.5  Defended well, passed it out when he could, lumped it efficiently, but must pick his moment when and when not to charge forward.

Bruce:    8.0  Added covering pace at the back and tried to use the grass to play football 

Chopper: 8.0 Marked a very good player very well.

Adam:  8.0  Vocal, committed and positioned himself well. He too marked a good player well.

Lynchy: 7.5 Got more of the ball second half - perhaps might of scored. Tracked back really well

Danny K: 7.5 Scored a good goal with a cheeky finish. Needs to move more to make himself available for the pass.

Meaker: 8.0 Won lots in the air, great touch, held the middle

Heron:   9.5 * STAR MAN Outstanding captain’s performance - 2 goals, 2000 headers and several excellent fouls.

Nick: 7.5 Missed a sitter, moaned at the ref, led the line well.

Luke: 8.5 Charged around, caused havoc with his throw, must be a nightmare to play against.

Subs: Luke: 7.5 Killer ball for fourth goal, good touch on the ball.

Richie? 7.0 Didn’t have enough time to show what he’s got but can clearly run fast.

Crowd: 28

For all involved or on the sidelines today, we seen quite literally A GAME OF TWO HALVES!!! The pre match warm up consisted of several 30 yard belters tiggling the corner flags and not Ian’s palms. Collective talk of a family sized can of WHOOP ASS being opened on any Cotswool player that fails to let DA MANAGEMENT know they cannot play in good time…

Once procedings had got under way, the ressies quickly settled and kept there shape well. I wouldn’t say we were playing the beautiful game like the posers who share our team colours (Argentina), although we looked solid and started to stretch HARE along both flanks. As the half went on and the goals started to flow, it was apparent for all in view that the pressure the Ressies had built up was starting to get on top of there opponents. Four goals coming in the first half, numero (1) courtesy of Dannys head from a corner. Luke tapped in his first from close range, our second. Nick bundled the ball over the line for our third after another Stokest torpedo like throwing from Luke. The fourth and final goal came from a delightfull lob into Lukes path by Ben, which he calmly smashed into the net.

SECOND HALF WAS S**T… I could go on to say more but knowing we are a family friendly club, I would run the risk of violating some young readers ears and saying what everyone included already knows!!!

Ian - (7.5) Did not have a massive amount to do today, although is definately starting to command his area better. Very vocal and the back line could maybe use him more to relieve pressure on themselves at times.

Rob F - (7.2) Started the game well, looking to link up with Lynchie and put the ball in the mix at any opportunity.

Dibbs - (7.2) Plenty of talking, passion and bite today. Looked solid first half, was not given as much support from midfield in the second.

Adam - (7.3) Same story for Adam really. Solid and vocal, did not give Hare an inch first half.

Heron - (8*)  Blunted numerous ariel assaults from Hare in the first half and looked to push on when he had the chance. More importantly was still putting it in second half, when others looked less up for the challenge.

Dan K - (7.4) Always looked dangerous when on the ball and put over some quality crosses when possable. Could sometimes look to move half a yard away from his opposite number, to help ball distribution to his feet (where he likes it)!!! Starved of the ball at times, plenty of fight and a smidgin of handbags!

Ben - (8) Had a niggling injury from the off, proved to niggle more as the half went on. Kept shape, supported back line and attack, dinked Luke through for his second. Was a spectater for the 2nd half, so could not loose any points. Hence the 8

Danny - (7.7) Solid and assured as usual in the middle of the park. Looked to spread the play and bring others into the game. Won everything with his head and got a goal for his efforts.

Lynchie - (7.2) Looked to get into space when we was in possesion and linked well with his fullback. More to come from BORIS!

Luke - (7.7) Looked busy and was a constant threat hanging on Hares last defender. 2 goals and a golden boot looking like a real possability for the big lad.

Nick - (7.2) Held the ball up well first half and put himself about. Touch let him down a few times, that will come though. GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAL! Bundled over the line, via a throw in and Burke flick on.

SUBS… Lee - (6.8) Made plenty of tackles, although the midfield lacked shape and goal threats second half. Was not helped by the second half performance of others around him.

Ricki - (6.8) come on for 10 mins, got stuck in from the off. Hard game to come on as SUB and shine with our second half performance.

Crowd = Team O’Neil, Chopper, Willsey, Tall Lad, Persian Daddy, scattering of away fans at the top corner and a green haze/clowd covering the home stand!!! We should change our club colours to the green, yellow and black of our Rastaferrien friends, this would be more inline with the sweet smells that accompany the mighty Cotswool FC. Maybe just the away kit, as not to take away from this proud clubs heritage !!!

Having played in a tough game against Retainers two nights ago the Ressies were looking forward to facing the newly promoted Cowboys and hoping to show them a thing or two about 2^nd division football. As it turned out we showed them sod all apart from how to wilt and dither like some old biddy in the queue at tesco’s metro.

With the usual 64 changes to the side and Danny Burke taking over the captaincy in Kev’s absence we were still looking strong on paper. Unfortunately paper doesn’t win you games although it is quite useful in the world of origami and we soon found out that the Ressies were also better suited to the art of folding. With all the possession and pressure in their half but being constantly under threat by a cowboys counter we struggled to create any clear cut chances. Half hearted tackles were too common place which allowed the cowboys more direct style to cause us a few problems. We even had the ref on our side as danny made two fantastically reckless challenges, one a stone wall penalty which was denied and the other deep in our opponents half which actually resulted in a Cotswool freekick following an over exuberant appeal by a Cowboy! But still we couldn’t get a foot hold in this game.

A goal in each half for Easton was probably deserved and we somehow found ourselves with a lifeline when a penalty was awarded late on that was initially offside and actually around 5 yards outside the box. The game played out with little more than a whimper from the boys in blue (and white). Much more fight and commitment is needed next week against Hare on the Hill, I reckon we should be looking for a 4-0 victory.

Ian 6.5 – A quiet and hesitant first half was followed up with a much improved and decisive second. More of the later please.

Adam 6.0 – moved to right back for this came and played ok. Needs to communicate with players around him more but still a presence at the back.

Grahame 7.0 – a nervy opening but sturdy and reassuring thereafter. Not a lot he could do for either goal.

Danny 7.5 – did his best and lead the way but few followed suit. At centre half today but it’s a shame he doesn’t have a twin to play centre mid as well!

Rob F 6.5 – decent ball play first half although caught out of position on occasions. Better positional sense in the second half but obviously attached a Toblerone to his boots at half time as passing and crosses went astray. Scored from the spot.

Dan K 6.5 – a good debut out on the left wing, always a threat and obviously more to come although probably more comfortable on the right of up front in ‘the hole’. The Iron Sheik should be quaking in his plimsolls.

Chris Atherton 6.0 – started brightly but soon struggled to keep up with the pace of the game. After an impressive pre-season niggling injuries seem to be hampering Chris’s performance.

Ben 8.0* – a one man show in this game. Putting in some good early season displays so far, the rest of the club could do worse than to follow Ben’s example. Commitment on and off the pitch. A true box to box midfielder with some hard tackling and good football. Star Man.

Chris Lynch 6.0 – a quiet game out on the right flank. Needs to release the ball a lot sooner and be aware of positioning off the ball. Certainly has the capability so just needs the focus.

Lee 6.5 – did what he could but unable to influence the game as much as he has done in previous games. Was still a force to be reckoned with in the supporting stikers role.

Luke 6.5 – a couple of decent chances but otherwise a more restrained performance compared with recent chaos theory approach. Two games in as many days probably a factor.

Subs: Nick 7.5, Luke Thomas 7.5 – both were energetic coming from the bench and showed the desire and drive the rest of the team lacked. Both could well have earned a start next week.

oops- left my boots in the changing rooms on saturday- pair of dark grey Puma Kings- anyone seen ‘em?

dibs

Everything that could make this night a difficult one came to the fore…and some. Cotswool as a club are not renowned for being a fan of the midweek evening kick off and especially not when its against a very physical retainers side who just so happened to be favourites for promotion. Throw that in with poor pre-match preparations and the fact I don’t like green as a general colour, the omens weren’t good to say the least.

I guess the best place to start is at the end. Game abandoned due to a late late tackle which resulted with a broken ankle for Kev and a sour end to the night. This and a controversial full time whistle which the ref had delayed blowing for around 12-15minutes, just so the result would stand and save himself some paperwork. Thanks. T.W.A.T

When bad injuries like this occur the match itself becomes irrelevant but none the less nearly an hour of football had been played and as the result stands, player ratings are required.

The performance was not great in comparison to our previous victories and certainly not akin to our expectations for this encounter. The key to this game was always going to be about winning those 50-50 battles. We did not win many but the fact we tried to get the ball down and play at every opportunity must be given credit. After a positive first 20 minutes or so we conceded a goal which, as Mr Burke reliably informs me, is responsible for around 80% of goals on the downs. The classic ball over the top not being dealt with by defender or keeper. Heads dropped for the rest of the half which is difficult to understand considering this time last year we were already nearly at double figures conceded by the half time.

0-1 at the interval and we’re still in this game but we have to step up our attempts to win possession. Within a minute of the restart the kiddie with the brightly coloured lime green boots ran down the wing unchallenged and uninterrupted to cut in and slot the ball in from close range. A goal which summed up our off the ball performance. A few half hearted tackles, some not tackling at all and for those who really don’t like the colour green ran in the opposite direction at the site of his fluorescent footwear. Either way it was too easy for the lad.

With the Ressies now chasing the game it meant it was a more open affair with chances at either end before the said injury brought a halt to the said game. Not a night to remember but when put into context with how we would have faired last season against this team then it shows that despite defeat we have come along way in a short space of time. Considering we were talking of winning this game beforehand rather than keeping the goals against tally as low as possible says it all in terms of progress.

Ian 6.5 – Some good one on one saves but decision making and communication with defence must be consistent.

Rich 7.0 Solid as a man marker although needs to talk more to the players around him.

Rob F 6.5 Positional sense AWOL and in future needs to be the first man in to win those 50-50 battles which wasn’t the case tonight. Not liking the colour green.

Adam 6.5 Uncharacteristic mistake for the first goal but did utmost to atone for it by returning to normal solid self.

Kev 8.0* Defended and attacked well in equal measures and able to add ‘fully accomplished right back’ to his versatile CV. That makes it even more regrettable that his unfortunate injury has ruled him out for so long. Easily the games star man.

Bruce 7.0 Positional play needs attention when playing on the wing but was a constant threat when attacking his opposite number and provided several decent crosses.

Andre 7.5 Obviously a very talented player when in possession and movement off the ball. Shouldn’t be long before understanding with new team mates improves and becomes accustomed to the physical side of the downs.

Danny 6.5 Not his usual dominant or vocal self but still a cut above the rest with his persistence and calmness in the middle of the park.

Chris Lynch 6.5 First game for the Ressies and proved to be very comfortable in possession although needs to show more purpose with final ball.

Ben 7.5 Worked hard in unfamiliar more attacking role. Not able to link play as much as he’d like due to the team being on the back foot but got better and better as the game progressed and pushed Kev all the way for the star man award.

Luke 6.5 A rating which has more to do with the lack of service than a reflection on performance but a very quiet game from our forceful forward although came close with a couple of decent chances.

Subs: Lee 6.5, Chris 6.5 – added strength from the bench but not enough time to effect the game.

Crowd: Several + several more when the ambulance turned up.

After suffering defeat, deservedly so, against Ashley (what a crap name for a team), we had to face Bristol Barcelona a few days later for no doubt quite a tough match. Last season they beat us in the league and knocked us out the cup although we did give them a good hiding  towards the end of the season with them even calling us crap when they were losing 4-1….hmmmm…back to school lads??

We were picked out by machine number 3 and set of balls “Get In There” to play on pitch 2. Closer to the changing rooms for us but a massive danger for members of the public walking past as the legendary Cotswool warm up of blasting the ball at whoever stands in goal.

A couple of new faces were on the scene, and we got under way with Paul Barnes taking up the job of marking their Duncan Goodhew lookalike up front who caused problems last season.

We went at them from the off and to be honest, i think they under-estimated us and they didn’t know what hit them. We had them camped in their half at the start like Ashley’s local Girl Guide Group on a day trip to Band Camp, all that was missing was the plaits.

Everytime they came forward they were looking for Duncan, and everytime they came looking for Duncan, Paul was there to cut it out, head it first, kick him harder, just doing everything he could to stop Dunc’s from getting it.

Nima had a couple of chances that he would have put away on any other day, blasting over from inside the box after good work from someone down the right (it was a while ago now lads!), also trying a long distance effort (trying to be Beckham i think) after their keeper cleared badly from way off his line.

We went in to half time at 0-0 and Steve told us to keep going as we were, but not to make any stupid mistakes as this match would probably be a one-niller.

Sure enough, they had a ten min spell of a chance or two but again nothing too dangerous until we failed to clear the ball a couple of times and then their player bundled the ball (and Moxey) into the net. Calls for a foul were falling on deaf ears and we were 1-0 down.

We completely dominated the rest of the match and were so comfortable in their half that even Smiler managed two shots, one forcing a good save from their keeper, the other wide (big gust of wind the

Ratings then:

Moxey: Not much to do throughout the match. Needs to assert himself more with crosses, taking out any players in his way but very vocal as always. 8

Smiler: First game at right back and tried to get up and down the pitch. Injured their winger early on who was replaced by….something… 8

Craigy: Used his pace and flea jumping abilities to keep their other striker quiet. Didn’t let anyone down as usual. 8.5

Paul: Kept Duncan quiet with relative ease. Never troubled, won everything in the air and plenty of talking. A great debut. **STAR MAN** 9

Steve: Solid performance feeding Stu down the left, clearing up any mess that came his way. 8

Stu: Some great runs down the wing, banged in loads of crosses and caused them plenty of problems. 8.5

Gee: Soaked up everything in front of the defence, just taking the ball from their feet more often than not. Spread the play well, I remember one crap shot though! 8.5

Duds: Up and down like morale of a Japenese prisoner of war, with more shouting and alot more end product. Keeps the talking going and ran the Spanish lot for fun. 8.5

Gyorgy: Covered the right hand side well, nice skill that Barca couldn’t get close too and even took their Captain out wit his rock solid knee brace….shame he is missing this Saturdays match through a dodgy knee! 8.5

Nima: Some good runs like usual, missed a couple of early chances but still worked “quite” hard with a bit of running about in their area! 8.5

Eddie: Hassled their back line all match but no clear cut chances. Had a great run in the first half skinning a few players before crossing for….(hang on, this is the bit i was on about earlier on when Nima missed!, I knew i wasn’t that old!)….crossing for Nima to hit over. 8.5

Sab?: Came on and showed a few nice touches, it will help when we can understand each other as our newest international signing only speaks a little english at the moment. 7.5

Overall a great performance. Yes it’s crap fact that we lost and even Barca admitted they got out of jail. If we keep playing like this then we will do well and we have to put in a performance like this in our next match on Tues against Cabot ( I predict a 3-1 win).

In the 1982 World Cup in Spain Brazil beat Argentina 3 - 1 in a controversial encounter that included virtuoso goals, soaring temperatures and a red card for a vicious challenge by one of the best players in world football. It came to be know as the ‘Rumble in the Ramblas’.

27 years later in the Downs League Division 1 in Bristol Cotswool beat Cabot Asset Finance 3 - 1 in a predictably mis-matched clash featuring a comedically inept own goal, 3 accidental fouls and some long grass. It will inevitably come to be know as the ‘Cauldron of Hate on Pitch 8′.

One could say the scoreline was the only thing the two games had in common, however that would be to ignore the flowing football played by the 11 mighty gladiators of the green in the first 20 minutes or so after the interval, during which time a team of 11 Brazilian maestros would have struggled to interrupt our majestic footballing flow.

The damage caused during this period was such that the incorrectly-divisioned Cabot team soon resembled the cast of a 1980’s video nasty, complete with thousand-yard stares and missing jaw bones, drowsily wandering round the pitch holding severed limbs with the boots still on.

A victory was demanded by Señor Freeman before the match, and a victory was duly delivered, albeit in a rather Royal Mail type of fashion, with bits missing and rather later than expected.

The Cots 11 lined up with a couple of changes from the encouraging yet hugely disappointing, then encouraging again 1 - 0 defeat to Barcelona (of Bristol), with Paul Cowan coming in at right wing and Berridge slotting into central defence to add some inappropriately-timed turns to the Cots arsenal.

The mighty light blue with white stripes black shorts and socks got off to a fairly solid, fluent start, pressing Cabot into their own half and only once or twice being slightly alarmed by their big forward, who looked like a good player, but when it came down to it, wasn’t.

A number of chances were created before a sustained period of pressure resulted in Nima turning his man on the edge of the box before firing in a vicious shot that the keeper only managed to palm away onto Ed’s bulging thigh. The result was inevitable - a net bulging as provocatively as Thunder Troughton’s kicking muscle as the ball flew with a previously unheralded velocity into the goal and then out under the bottom of it where a peg had come out.

The goal we deserved then had a somewhat soporific effect on our 11 beshorted princes, who then decided to take their collective feet off the pedal, resulting in a catastrophic loss of acceleration and mini pile-up on our right flank, where a Cabot-shirted midget managed to find the space to mis-kick a cross to the far post where another non-Cotswool dwarf spooned in a bobbling disgrace of a shot that our snoozing keeper managed to fall over twice trying to stop, like a blond bombshell running away from a hobbling zombie.

Following inspirational words of bollocking from The Gaffer at half-time Cotswool went on to dominate the second half so completely that the ref ended the game early, with some wonderful patient attacking football being played, coordinated wonderfully by the evergreen Gee, with able assistance from the Gerrard-lite Tom Dudley.

The second goal came from galloping winger Cowan, who firmly planted a header in the back of the net following a typically accurate cross from the impressive Stu, with the third goal flying in off the shin of a bewildered Cabot player who decided that he’d had enough of Nima turning him inside and out and smashed the ball past his own keeper to get it over with.

Player ratings:

Moxey - 8. Kicking is improving, as is his punching of thin air. Seriously though, it is.

Smiler - 8.5. A dynamic performance from new full-back Smiler, who is looking like a natural there, full of penetrative running and astute clearances.

Elford - 8. Passing was a bit off but everything else was top class, and contributed greatly to the attacking cause with some typically flying-barrel overlaps.

Craigy - 9. Solid against their deceptively sh*t centre forward, made several penetrative forays into the Cabot box, and was unlucky not to come away with a goal.

Berridge - 8.5. Won lots of headers and kicked it out of touch less than usual due to lack of opposition. Calmed things down in defence.

Paul - 8.5. Lots of willing running and got a deserved goal with a powerful header in the second half. Lets hope this signals a return to the fold for good.

Dudley - 9. Best game so far this season, with a dominant midfield display in tandem with the mighty Gee.

Gee - 9. Second-best game so far this season, with a dominant midfield display in tandem with the mighty Dudley.

Nima - 8.5. Quiet-ish by Nima standards, and only managed 2 assists. Pah.

Stu - 9 ** STAR DUDE ** . Best game of the season, gave his full-back a torrid time and put in match-winning crosses.

Ed - 8. Hard-working performance capped by a thigh-tastic goal. Ran the line well and Cabot had no idea where he was half the time. Mind you, they were rubbish.

There are some photos up from the 1st’s vs Barcelona, including a lovely one of Elford cuddling the Barca keeper!

Have a look…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/image_galleries/downsleague_060909_gallery.shtml?16

Del al sol had it wrong. All good things come in twos. Two wins from two games, with two goals in each for Luke, puts the seconds second in Division 2. A game of two halves, with two referees, I could go on finding things that come in twos…. two Cotswool youth team, oh and Heron’s twins came to watch..made up the crowd which was always an even number and was divisible by two….can’t think of any others…other than there were many effective partnerships around the pitch - more of that later.

A quick stretch, team talk and braeking of wind we were bang in there, seemingly the early kick off on the Downs. I saw a cameraman so maybe it was due to televisual things that we were before time. Anyhow, on with the action, Cotswool lined up 4-4-2. Jimmer in goal, back four Fossie, Burke, the Dibbler and Kev backing up a mobile midfield of Bruce, Athers, Crapper and Ricky. Up top, Lee and Luke with a rather tall bench of Andre, Chopper and some tramp that ran the line in the first half - Nick or summat.

With the general consensus that taking the wind would of course mean we would be 4 nil up with the first five minutes, it was to some alarm that we were the ones defending and they were the ones attacking. We struggled, despite our endeavour and good intentions, to control the ball and pass effectively. The grass didn’t help and more than once, their attacks were a result of us being caught in possession or trying to dribble through the tundra. When pressing forward, we often over hit our passes or crossed from too far out which made it easier to defend against. On the other hand, CSV used the conditions well to put balls into the channels or between our back 4 and goalie, a  number of which caused real confusion. Jimmer got a finger to a shot to deflect it onto the post before saving with his legs from a one on one and then tipping over a speculative effort from the edge of the box. Then came a moment that would have justified a number of replays on Match of the Day, perhaps if arsewipe Warnock was the CSV manager, a full scale rant at the integrity of the Cotswool management and maybe even a ’and in other news’slot on points west… A bll over the top caused confusion what with it holding up in the grass and everything. Jimmer came, stopped and came again. Rob running back at his goal headed it superbly passed the on rushing goalie, who pulled off a reat catch 3 feet out of the area. Cunningly, the goalie he wherewithall to make it look like he was actually in the box and then threw it out quickly before the stand in ref could really think about it. No free kick, no red card, no 35 day ban and £50 fine. Phew!!! I like CSV -they’re a nice lot.

Still not to be discouraged, we tried similar move moments later only this time our goalie hacked down the CSV front man but madeit look like Danny had won the ball. Free kick, shot wide, still on the pitch and with the sinking feeling that although pre-season training is pretty much useless it does at least get you used to the speed of a football coming towards you.

On we pressed, and to be fair, the incidents woke us up a little and from this momment in we controlled the game. Lee had a goal disallowed but nevertheless we began to string passes together, and stretch the oppostion through intelligent movement from the frontmen. Half time 0-0

Second half against the elements would normally proove tough but we suddenly clicked. Ben was running round like a nutter putting constant pressure on the man in posession. Luke began to hold the ball up well and bring Bruce into the game. Partnerships began to blossom around the pitch -Bruce and Rob, Dibbler and danny, Kev and Ricky, Ben and Chris, Lee and Luke and we started to control the game by keeping the ball and then getting it into th cnannels and forcing CSV to concede corners and throw ins. Danny had two great headers from corners saved - Our long throw caused problems and from one such set piece a flick on and lash home past the son of the fomer Chairman of Selectors of ther England Cricket team put the wool one up courtesy of the right boot of Luke.

At the other end, danny hooked cear following a fumble from the goalie yet Jimmer made amends moments later with a fine double save at the feet of the CSV hitmen and decent palm away from a header from a corner.  Andre came on for Chris and lent a certain calmness to midfield - he intercepted well and used the ball sensibly and accurately. A little dink over the top from Lee put Luke through and in an almost carbon copy of the CSV tactics in the first half, Luke lobbed the on-rushing keeper for our second. If only the goalie had caught the ball or hacked Luke down they’d have been alright but hey - nothing ventured nothing gained.  Nick and Chopper came on and we rarely looke threatened as the game closed out. An impressive second half worthy of the three points.

Ratings:

Jimmer  8.5  Typical performance - fine saves, shouting.kicking and lots of moments of rashness and indecisiveness.

Kev - 8.5 Great captain’s performance - drove us on, ran around a lot, swore intelligently.

Rob - 8.0 First half got caught in possesion, 2nd half passed very well, spread play and oozed authority

Dibbler - 8.0 Headed it, hacked it, even had a little sortie up the left wing -his sort of game -great foil to danny.

Danny - 9.0 Pick of the back 4 - always in the right place at the right time.

Ricky - 7.0 Ran well into space, got caught in possession once or twice, got injured

Ben - 9.5* STAR MAN Constant menace in midfield - despite being outnumbered against a 3-5-2, ran himself into the ground and used the ball well.

Chris - 7.5 Struggled early on but got into ht egame and used the ball accurately as the game progressed.

Bruce - 8.5 Tireless performance - great outlet, held the ball, cut in well and worked hard

Lee - 8.0 Moments of inspiration and buildinga good partnership with Luke

Luke - 8.5 Caused all sorts of problems as the game opened up - two cracking finishes

Subs: Andre - 85 sorry 9.0 . Great passer and interceptor - also kept joseph entertained - extra half point

Chopper - 7.0 Right mid birth - not enugh time to make an impression

Super tramp - 7.0 Stroked it around under no pressure.

Crowd: rose to 10 at one stage

 http://guardian.chtah.com/a/tBKn$gZAY30QpAe9jDF$PK4NCJf/fvr29

It’s quite painful writing the ratings after a loss and for some reason, this one seemed particularly hard to take. Possibly because we took an early lead but couldn’t see the game out, maybe because we had a bad game all round but most probably because I just don’t like Ashley. I don’t even know why; they just irritate me.

Nima put us in the lead with a fine volley, getting in front of his man at the back post to stroke the ball in from a good cross out on the left by our Roberto Carlos-a-like Steve (or could be Ashley Cole-a-like or Wayne Bridge, how about Chris Powell?). In fact, the first half wasn’t that bad at all. Ashley got the jammiest, luckiest of goals back when a headed clearance from ‘is it a bird? is it plane? No! It’s SuperCraig’ hit Smiler amidships and bounced straight to one of the Ashley gits in the area, who poppped it in. Oh, how they celebrated! Then, there was a bit of an Ashley storm as the wind and some defensive indecision hindered our clearances, but we forced some openings ourselves and 1-1 at half time playing into the wind seemed a fair return.

The second half was dismal really. We lost all sense of positioning, as if an Arctic blizzard  had descended and we’d left our igloo for a little walk without the compass. Passing and possession seemed anathema to us, and frankly it doesn’t reflect well on Ashley that the only way they could manage to score was by scrapping the ball in from a corner.

Anyway, that’s how it ended, 2-1 to Ashley and to serve us right we all got a good soaking as the heavens poured down on us on the way back to the changing rooms. It’s not all doom and gloom though, I really don’t believe we can play any worse than we did yesterday and in some respects only losing by the odd goal in three despite playing like a bunch of blind donkeys gives me hope for the season ahead. Don’t be expecting any high ratings mind…

Moxey - 7.5 - First game of the season after riding to the moon and back over the last couple of weeks, couldn’t really be faulted for the goals and generally assured aside from that.

Steve - 7 - Good cross in for Nima to score, plenty of effort in defence and playing left back is good for his knees.

Craig - 7 - Not a bad performance from Craig but not a brilliant one either. Shouldn’t set the bar so high.

Smiler - 6.5 - Don’t remember hearing his voice as much as I’m used to, again no particular howlers but not on top of his game.

Chris - 6.5 - Had to go off after an hour, caught once or twice on the ball, but also some good hoofing clear. 

Stu - 7 - Not hugely involved on the left, little possession to work with going forward but tried to help out in defence. 

Gee - 6.5 - Not the most prominent of performances from the midfield maestro and Steve wondered off with his wedding ring, which may have been a distraction.

Duds - 6.5 - Not his usual powerhouse display. Upset Ashley with a wild challenge in the first half, but I’d have to ask who cares?  

Rob k - 7.5 -*Star man* You might all disagree but I’m giving Rob star man. He crocked his shoulder in the first half, damaged himself more in the second but kept on getting back up, flying into tackles and giving it everything until Steve put him out of his misery.  His passing etc might have been wayward at times, but so was everyone else’s. His endeavour didn’t wane at any point and hats off to him for keeping going.

Nima - 6.5 - Scored a good goal but was marooned on the right, a game where his particular skills might have better off in the middle of the park.

Ed - 6.5 - Isolated up front, but probably could have looked to link up the play a little more. No sitters missed this time though.

Subs - Chris - 6.5 - Couldn’t do a lot to influence the game.

Rob F - 6.5- Ditto.

Crowd - Some reserves, a flash bike (accompanied by Paul Cowan) some Ashley folks. Didn’t see a dog - must have stayed at home. Passengers on passing double decker buses.

First game of the season always carries lots of questions.  For the ressies, the emergence of a 2 headed management team probably meant more than usual. The last couple of seasons have proved to be a bit of a struggle. We’ve not made the impact on Div 2 that we want.  It’s time to show what we’re made of etc. As far as the management were concerned, the key improvement needed was to drastically reduce the 85 goals conceded last season.  Build from the back, make ourselves difficult to beat, stay in games. These clichés have been overused pre-season.  

Spookily enough there was ‘the usual moaning about the state of the pitches and the centuries old cotswool traditional warm up of belting the ball at whoever’s dumb enough to go in the sticks’.  It’s good to see consistency of approach from our 2 sides.

The first half was keenly contested. Rockets were clearly a decent Div 2 side, particularly strong down their left with a cultured left back and a ‘kiddie’ with the ability to use the word ‘****ing’ with astounding regularity at left wing. One concerted outburst from said kiddie aimed at our captain seemed to put them off their game, so much so that one of their players decided to bury a cross from Bruce in the bottom corner with no-one near.

We were knocked back on 35 minutes when a sharp through ball caught our back four on their heels for the ‘kiddie’ to ghost through and finish well.  Next 10 minutes were the most difficult of the game. Rockets were on a high after their goal and we began to look a little ragged.  Half time came at a good time.  Message more or less was we have to re-establish our control of the game, don’t get dragged into any silliness -we’ve been the better team.

2^nd half was a tour de force.  The game quickly became stretched allowing the Meaker to drop into ‘the Hole’ and link up play beautifully.  We were helped by Rockets moving their left back into the middle to leave an ageing bloke to deal with the likes Bruce, Luke and Kev at left back.  We created chances almost at will before Luke added 2 quality goals both after cutting in from the right and finishing with aplomb.  

We were guilty of both poor finishing and failing to try to finish.  Anyway, Ben finished the game off with 10 left before Kev buried a free kick at the end.  

Considering these had hammered us last season and the season before, this was an excellent performance. Smiler’s fitness sessions clearly paid off as half time seemed to finish them off – we were too strong for them 2^nd half.

Marks

Ian – 8 No chance with the goal.  Dealt with everything competently. Good to see him coming off his line to sweep up behind the back four.

Kev – 9.0  solid defensively. Committed, calm despite provocation, led well, passed well, scored a nice free kick at the end.

Fossie – 8.0  Used the ball well.  Dealt with getting butted relatively calmly.  Needs to drop off a little more when we’re defending.

Adam – 8.5  Rock solid.  Good talking, covered his colleagues well.  Good to see him looking to pick out passes.

Rich – 8.9  Calm and assured, tackling well and making excellent decisions.  

Bruce – 8.5 Usual energy and intelligent use of the ball.  Needs to be more greedy in front of goal.

Ben – 8.8 Along with Danny, dominated the middle, linking up play and getting a deserved goal through persistence at the end.

Danny – 8.8 Rock solid, dominant in the air.  Selfless.

Paul – 8.2 Asked to do a job he’s not familiar with and produced the goods.

Lee- 8.5 Had a bit of a frustrating first half but drove us on 2^nd half. Almost scored an absolute peach.

Luke 9.1 (Star man) –Kicked their keeper in the head (accidentally of course) then scored 2 outstanding goals. What a debut.

Subs – Nick, Grahame and Ricky – barely got a kick.  

So here we are again, after a rigorous pre season that for some reason involved a lot of duck walking we’re finally underway and strangely enough this match report is being written by Freeman and I in the enemies camp (or alter ego to the uninformed) !!

What a way to start the season, after the usual moaning about the state of the pitches and the centuries old cotswool traditional warm up of belting the ball at whoever’s dumb enough to go in the sticks we were underway.

10 mins in and we were 1 nil down, here we go again we thought, a nothing ball into their skunk haired centreforward who turned slower that the titanic but then drilled a great shot into the bottom corner, but this is the new and improved cotswool, we’re made of sterner stuff these days and so it was to show, 22 mins gone and an inswinging corner from the iron shiek landed on duds’ head and flew into the net, 1 all and game on.

After 35 mins a freekick was awarded and nima stepped up full of confidence and curled a beauty into the top corner 1-2 and confidence was brimming although only a finger tipped point blank save from ginge in the last second of the 1st half meant we went into the break in front.

After the team talk that basically said we should up our game there was a full 15 mins of action before another goal, excellent work from big nose (nima) on the wing resulted in an inch perfect cross that eddie volleyed away with aplomb, right foot and all !!

15 mins later and we were 4-1 up, close control from nima (you just can’t stop this guy) on the edge of the box and then to the surprise of everyone on the planet he passed the ball and yours truly stuck away from just inside the box, keeper had no chance etc. etc.

Just when we thought we’d seen everything a miracle happened, great work from gee resulted in a perfect ball to eddie inside the 6 yard box and…….well let’s put it this way, someone on the M5 probably has a ball stuck in their windscreen!

However with 10 mins left a crunching tackle from our fat number 10 (me) fell to eddie who raced through 3 players and left one on one with their keeper laced the ball into the bottom corner, vintage edward and none of us were surprised.

All in all a great way to start the season and let’s push on from here, the league title is our aim and we shall be victorious….

ratings:

Ginge - 8.5 - Ever reliable and a great reaction save that really set us up for the 2nd half (footnote-played all game with a broken finger due to our woeful warm up procedure-hero)

Smiler- 8 - Lacking in pre season fitness due to his poorly foot but never flustered.

Craig - 9 - Seriously i don’t know what to say anymore about this man, he is not a man he is craig !

Elf - 8.5 - New position at left back for new daddy elf but took to it like the proverbial duck to water

Berridge - 8.5 - Used in a new back 4 formation as right back and after checking for the 9th time that he was playing there put in a solid performance

Duds - 8.5 - Ever present and ever reliable, led by example and even apologised for some truly terrible calling

Gee - 8.5 - The words defensive midfielder were invented for this man, all round midfield general

Nima - 9.1 (STAR MAN) - As much as it pains me to admit it he was truly unplayable, great start especially considering the grass was longer than his nose

Stuart - 8.5 - Up and down all game and never stopped chasing, more of his known crossing ability to come

Rob (me) - 8.5 (steve said so) ran around a lot and scored

eddie - 8.5 - Scored 2 for the first time in ages apparently and was a constant menace, i would hate to play against this man and kept fit our league winner.

See you all tuesday for the next win….

So the big day has arrived. Time for all that hard pre-season work to come to fruition.. or not.. Good luck boys!

Hurray! It’s that time of year again! Time to shed those hard-earnt pounds on a parched and rock-hard Downs.

Pre-season training begins tomorrow, and repeats every Tuesday and Thursday, at 6:15pm, on the Downs, with an ex-marine shouting at us to run around. It’ll be ace. See you there!

News has filtered through from Sky Sports news that our very own Chairman, Secretary, First team Manager and life-style guru Stevie Freeman has been awarded the Henry Newman Trophy by the ‘Downs League’ for services to our club and the wider Downs League for his efforts with Downs football. First trophy in the bag then for the upcoming season and quite right too. Many congratulations Steve. Well done!

And so, as another season draws to an anti-climatic close, the final stats have been calculated and can be accessed through the link. The season promised much but it has to be said that the wives and girlfriends delivered better when it really counted. 4 strapping lads  - all defenders born to the first team and with Berridge on the case before the year’s out it’s looking likely that whoever is managing Cotswool in 2029 could have a strong back 5 in place. Elford may come up trumps with a left sided attacking player in the summer.

Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed it - it seemed better fun than normal - maybe because we played better in a stronger division and were probably worth more than 7th place. Congratulations to Eddie for chalking the most goals - honourable mention to Nima and to G and even Duds who found some goalscoring form. But the stats don’t lie, yet again Craigy canters home with the most valuable player award. Well done all. See you at the AGM.

The more awake amongst you will notice no comments in  this week’s stats. Elford merely wrote “I really can’t remember a great deal about the game so in true Cotswool style G gets star man and Rob K gets the worst mark.”cotswool

…on the birth of his son Campbell, yesterday at 12.30. Mum and baby are doing well. Great news to hear on Cotswool Day!!!!!! (3oth April 2005)

Well done the ressies for escaping relegation - St. Andrews lost and can’t catch you.

Cotswool 1 - 0 Sneyd Park

At the business end of the season an evening contest with the in form Sneyd was always going to be a daunting encounter. This was emphasised by the absence of regular midfield bum bad boys Dudley and Kenward and everyones favourite Teacher, Chrissy Berridge. With Sneyd having played a tough cup game at the weekend there was a chance they could be flagging but seems as they won that match their delight was sure to rally them.

A few reserve players agreed to take a break from the normal rigorous cotswool training session to provide the back up on the bench and prowl the touchline in support. The pre-match warm up was clearly influenced by the ressies as players preceded to play 1-2 touch passing in circles. Elford, on being made captain for the evening, deemed it necessary to return to the type of warm up the first team are more accustomed to where the mult-i-ball effect enters the fray. All players precede to pepper moxey, the corner flag, the old man and his dog 50 yards behind the goal with an array of sporadic shots with, as usaul, the hungarian hurricane being the only one to actually stick the ball in the elusive onion bag. A few words of wisdom from Freeman and then game got underway.

Cotswool had the assistance of the gale force winds acting as 12th man for the first half. This enabled a bright start from the blue and whites as instant pressure pursued and several openings were carved out in the final third. A number of chances were put high and wide mainly thanks to the wind unsettling play but as the game was constanly played in the sneyd half all the tell tale signs of a victory were there. Half time came and the Wool were understandably miffed that they hadn’t found the net but still had plenty of positives to take into the second half.

With the ever so strong breeze now firmly on Sneyds side the word ‘Onslaught’ could be heard being passed around the pitch, more so than the pigs bladder was anyway. After a nervy opening the Cots players soon re-settled and began to realise that if we continued to battle hard and win the 50-50s then we were sure to get a chance at the opposite end. Sure enough after some great link up play down the right the ball found its way accross to the left hand side of the box where Stu cracked a half volley off the inside of the post. Eddie, who had been running the sneyd back line ragged all game long, was barged off the ball over on the touchline - no free kick! Several appeals fell on deaf ears but within a few minutes the same happened again. This time it was given and this time it was in the box. It just goes to show how things even themselves out in football…but rarely does it happen within 5 minutes! After recently smashing a pen against the crossbar Smiler jogged up to have another go and this time made no mistake and drilled it home. He kept it so low that not even the wind could keep this one out.

With a barrage of long balls and numerous corners to defend late on every player stood firm to deny sneyd any sniff of a goal. A few last ditch tackles and goaline blocks were soon rewarded by the final whistle.

1-0 to the Wool final score.

So the player ratings:

Moxey - 8.0 Few real saves to make but dealt with crosses superbly and communicated well with his backline.

Scan - 8.0 Assured as ever in the tackle and solid throughout.

Craig - 8.5 Invented the word ‘Solid’…nuff said.

Smiler - 9.0 Superb in the air, threw himself in front of everything and convincingly dispatched the winning penalty. Would die for the cause and on any other day would have claimed the star man award.

Rob F - 8.0 If craigy invented solidness then this guy could teach you a thing or two about the ’swing and a miss’.  Air shots aside got stuck in and battled hard for the team.

Nima - 8.0 7.5 Not the sort of game thats suits the iron sheik’s driving runs so he adpated himself well and fought hard to win every ball. Linked play well when attacking. Unfortunatley the chap doing the ratings also noticed him trip over his own shoe laces in the second half so has docked 1/2 a point.

Gyorgy 8.0 - Showed he can combat with the best of them and leave his lungs on the pitch at the end. Great foot work as we’re used to seeing to bring control to the middle of the park.

Elford 8.5 - Lungs, heart and stomach contents were what was left behind by this guy. Great determination and leadership from the stand-in skipper and effective at both ends of the pitch.

Gee - 9.5* If we were still playing now he would still be winning every ball. Made sneyds main man (ginger irish fella) look like a borrower on ice skates by winning balls he had no right to win and then carmly feeding his teamates to form the basis of any attack. The epitome of this Cotswool performance and gets my Star Man award.

Stu - 8.5 Saw a cracking effort come back off the inside of the post and was generally a constant menace all game. Never panics on the ball and isn’t shy to help out his full back as well.

Ed - 9.0 Defended from the front which is not an easy task and was always a threat on the opponents goal. This is probably why their centre half thought a shove in the back was the only way to stop him which earned the winning penalty.

Subs: Danny B - 8.0 Came on to add some steel to the midfield. Was instructed not to cross the half way line and it was fairly apparent why. He added that extra protection to the back line from the constant bombardment of long balls late on.

A great title winning (or runner up spot) team performance!

Author: RF

What a day and what a game, after the elation of last week’s thumping of Barca, everyone was in the right mood to continue our surge up the table. After the usual Cotswool warm up of whacking the ball at the keeper or Gyrogy (this guy can do everything) we then were treated to one of Craig’s ridiculously long running warm ups which had everyone coughing up their pre match fag, pint or gurners !! (no names iron sheik)

The game began and with our lungs still in our arses they scored with a header from a corner within the 1st 4 minutes, we all swore, the crowd (nima and steve’s pops) looked skywards as the referee gave us a free kick for a push, (rearrange the words “jail, get, of out card” and you’ll know the truth) 3 minutes later we decided they hadn’t had the rub of the green so gave away a silly free kick just outside our box, their man mountain number 2 proceeded to leather the free kick past our wall and into the back of the net, i think we’re all agreed that 4 keepers couldn’t have stopped this and thank god for the net or the ball would’ve been in Gloucester

We responded well by going up the other end 10 minutes later with some neat work which resulted in their now oafish number 2 slamming stuart to the ground, no complaints about the penalty and fair play to stu no girly screaming either, mr reliable stepped up and dudley duly stuck the ball in the only area of the net he can, bottom right (where was their trainer with the ipod) 1 all and game on !!

At this point the midfielder who was jokingly/lovingly referred to as “the enforcer” had to go off with a poorly elbow and on came Gygory to add some Hungarian flair.

The 1st half ended after some reasonable effort from both sides and after a vicious team talk we were up for the 2nd.

On 65 minutes came a true thing of beauty (i’m told this was the case as i was looking at our ressies going mental at their ref about an offside allowed goal, sorry big nose)

An in swinging corner from Stuart resulted in a glorious volley into the roof of the net, it had no right to go in but was struck so well we all forgave nima for his obvious late night/early morning escapades!

25 minutes left to hang on and up we would climb higher up the table, it wasn’t to be with a neat cross from their left midfielder resulting in a bambi on ice moment from smiler that left their centre forward an easy goal past the stranded moxy !!

On reflection a draw was a fair result although as we all know we need the wins, with this in mind i’m off to study how they play the beautiful game in Argentina for 2 weeks and duds in off to understand why the yanks call our game soccer !! see you in 2 weeks lads and hopefully nothing less than wins from now on in..

Moxy - 7.5. Confidence keeper therefore needs more support from us lot to assist with crosses, best shot stopper i’ve seen mind.

Scan - 7.5. Mr reliable came late and wasn’t at the races for the 1st 30, sorted his “new baby” head out and mopped up most things after this.

Smiler - 8.5 Close run thing between mr happy and the machine that is craig for man of the match, smiler loses out only due to his complications for their equaliser and the fact he supports tottenham !!

Craig – 9. I’ve run out of superlatives about this man, “MAN OF THE MATCH”

Berridge – 8. The berridge turn was back on the downs and in full effect, solid and confident at the back, just what we needed.

Stuart – 8. Won a penalty, crossed for a goal and legged it up and down the left side for the full 90, we need to get it to this guys feet more to take on players, he’s like casper !!

G – 7.5. A quiet game for the big lad, got involved more in the 2^nd half and added a calmness to the midfield, not afraid to get stuck in either

Rob – 6. Only played 35 minutes but got shouted at a lot and booted a few of their players so not all bad

Gyrogy – 8. Came on for mr wimpy and showed us all why he needs to be wrapped in cotton wool from sat evening to sat morning, Ferenc Puskas would be proud !

Duds – 8. He came, he saw, he shouted. Throw in the calm penalty kick and our club captain lets us know he will be missed while he’s in the U, S of A.

Eddie – 8. Good solo front man performance from the whippet, didn’t get the service he deserved but did provide a firm platform for their huge number 2 to jump on every time we smacked the ball into the ether hoping to hit our smallest guy on the pitch !!

Hmmm, a better performance than the previous outing against Portland but some suspect defending left Cotswool regretting numerous missed chances at the other end and they had to share the points with a pretty rubbish Bohemia outfit. Anyway, it was a lively, open game, enjoyable to play in and possibly even to watch. The ref looked the part, he was, like, not overweight or old and had all the proper kit and stuff. If it was Crufts or something he would have won best in show. Cotswool enjoyed a lively warm up with a proper goalie to aim pot shots at and Smiler didn’t mortally wound anyone prior to kick off for once. Good skills.

As it was nearly 2 weeks ago, I can’t clearly remember all that happened. There was a ‘Hungar strike’ from Gyorgy the Hungarian import (who continues to appear on a higher plain than anyone else), rising at the back stick to meet a cross from Nima, who ‘Iran’ the Bohemia defence ragged on the left before whipping the ball in. Just remembered that Stu scored from a corner, his speciality, which may well have been the ‘Wool’s first. Bohemia responded on both occassions, scoring going 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2. Honours even at half time wasn’t too bad with Cotswool having played into the wind. Pretty sure Steve Freeman said they were boll0cks and the game was ours for the taking, but I have a feeling he says that at every half time regardless of the situation of the match or the respective merits of either team’s performance in the first half. Suppose he reckons on a 50% success rate with that particular message. You do the math. Either one or other of the teams is bound to have been boll0cks, so he’ll be right half the time without even having to think about it.

 Second half was a battering for Bohemia. Struggling to get the ball out of their half, Cotswool attacked relentlessly, chances went begging but eventually Duds won a penalty. A karate kick to the chest was enough for the ref to award a spot kick, though the Bohmeia defence felt their man had won the ball. Which he might have done had his tackle been aimed anywhere at the lower half of Duds’ body. With Duds, the designated penalty taker, being severly winded, Smiler stepped in. Regrettably he can only kick the ball really, really hard and his shot rifled off the bar. If he could just kick a little less hard it would have gone in. Anyway, numerous other chances came Cotswools way before Nima picked up the ball and finished from an acute angle to make it 3-2. With the game seemingly won, Cotswool relaxed for one crucial moment and somehow one of the jammy Bohemians squeezed a goal home with the last kick to make it 3-3. Twats.

Moxey - 7.5 - Very little to do but marshalled things well, settling in to the first team quite happily.

Scan - 7.5- The usual qouta of shouting, swearing etc from Scan. A solid performance.

Berridge - 7 - Unhappy with concession of the last goal but it’s a team game and, whilst that was tough to take, the match should have been beyond rescuing for Bohemia by that point.

Smiler - 7.5 - Done by Dave Gamble (apparently he smells of dog poo) a couple of times, but soon got to grips with him and marshalled things well.

Craig - 8 - Never a bad performance from the human flea.

Gyorgy -8 - A full run out after repeated hamstring injuries. Scored a good header and provides a touch of class, even when he’s knackered.

Gee - 7 - Moved in field from the right, maybe struggled to adapt a little but if given another run will show that centre midfield is where he’s best.

Duds - 7.5 - Good all action performance, won a penalty, may regret letting Smiler smash it against the bar but drove the team on.

Nima - 8.5 - Star Man. Nima’s type of game. Nice and open. Created Gyorgy’s goal by making a mug of Bohemia’s right back and scored another from a tight angle. Hail the Iron Sheikh.

Stu - 7.5 - Scored from a corner, a good weapon. Lively on the left and has kept up his consistent form.

Ed - 7.5 - Part of a strong Cotswool attack, probably would like to find his touch again but plugged away as always and didn’t let Bohemia’s back four rest easy.

In a bold effort to remain involved in team sport, I thought I’d offer a view from the terraces.

I arrived late, which given what I saw of the first half, was probably a good thing. I was pleasantly surprised to see Cotswool in yellow. I thought it was just me that remembered things like kit clashes but clearly not. Don’t spoil it by confessing that the blue and white kit was in a bag behind the goal and luckily Nima had the yellows in the boot of his car underneath a load of chicken boxes.

Onto the football. After a slow start interrupted by the presence of a donkey, I soon gained an advantage with a mixture of delicate lobs and sweetly struck drives that Joseph just couldn’t handle and at the break turned round 6-0 up, Unfortunately my second half performance wasn’t as impressive, as my attention was diverted to a game of football that had broken out nearby. At one point i heard some shouting and swearing as Berridge poured forth his scorn at everyone in earshot. Good man. His utter irritation with events preceeded the Cotswool revival and my downfall. Gyorgy’s warm up was something to behold full of running up and down the touchline and variations of pace. Elford’s warm up involved a couple of light stretches, the breaking of wind and some swearing. It’s good to see we haven’t let these pesky Europeans eradicate all things great and British such as an ineffective warm up. But the game changed with an inspired piece of man management: I brought the twins onto the terraces for their first Cotswool experience outside the womb and they weren’t disappointed. Gyorgy looked in an entirely different class to anyone up there and Elford bagged his 100th Cotswool goal. A top effort for the big man. Eddie ‘the hitman’ Troughton did what he does best and before we alI knew it, Cotswool had won, I had lost 11-9 and Abigail had managed to get dogs muck in her hair.

In the spirit of Match of the Day 2.

2 Good:  1) Berridge’s prolonged verbal and physical assault on the long haired striker cunningly interspersed with some subtle ‘Sorry mate’s’ to his opponents. Well worth £8.

              2) Elford’s 100th Cotswool goal.

2 Bad:    1) The first half

              2) Scanner’s language - makes Gordan Ramsey sound like Thora Hird

An exquisite sunny winter’s day on the Downs produced perhaps the worst 1st half performance in the history of modern sport today.

Fortunately a hard-fought 2nd half revival brought the victory our title challenge demanded, but crikey we looked rusty for a bit there - not surprising I guess after the enforced winter break.

Following our pre-determined policy of selecting only thin people, a strong and unchanged starting 11 managed to look as though they had never played together before, or even met, giving the ball to the opposition at every possible opportunity.

A number of chances were created for Easton, who, obviously shocked by the uncommon generosity on display, kindly buggered them all up. This could not last, however, and following what Alex Ferguson would call “shit marking” the Cowboys forward calmly chipped a horribly exposed Moxey whilst in more space than the Huddle Telescope.

Following a frank discussion during the half time break, we dominated posession in the 2nd half, tightening up at the back, winning everything in the air and settling down our passing. Still no cutting edge to be seen though, until an inspired, if inevitable double substitution bringing Steve ‘Flying Orange Barrel’ Elford and Gyorgy ‘Super’ Spiegel into the action.

With Elford providing a focal point for our attacks and Gyorgy galloping down the right wing like a skinny Hungarian Usain Bolt, we at last found penetration and got the goals we deserved. The first came from a whipped corner from Stu - Berridge challenged for the ball at the back post, the keeper flapped at it, and Elford lashed it in from close range. The second was a more cultured affair, Gyorgy threading a lovely through ball to Eddie who chipped it over the keeper with the outside of his boot.

How we rated:

7.5 - Moxey

A solid performance from new first team keeper Moxey. Good kicking and a welcome loud voice at the back. Just like Jamie really, except taller.

8 - Scan

The usual reliable and determined showing from Mr Scannel, with mucho running up and down the right and hassling their wingers into frustration. Couple of dodgy passes mind..

7.5 - Smiler

Some good tackles and all-round enthusiasm partly spoilt by continually hoofing the ball at his own players and missing the odd interception.

7.5 - Berridge

Dominant in the air but was rusty with his passing. Got the booking of the season so far when explosively losing his rag. What a bad example to set as captain. Mind you we were 1-0 down at the time and then went on to win 2-1.

*STAR MAN* 8.5 - Craig

The pocket footballing titan made some key interceptions, great overlapping runs and towering headers to keep their right flank on their toes. Even got in shooting positions a couple of times.

7.5 - Gee

Missed a good chance early doors but then worked hard on the right to carve out some openings. Not much end product, but a reliable presence as always and always willing to drop inside to help out the struggling midfield.

6.5 - Rob Kenward

As Rob would freely admit not one of his best games. His usually accurate passing was replaced by a continuous stream of balls straight to opposition players, and the trademark thunderous tackles were not in evidence today.

7 - Tom

A hard working display, but never really dominated in the way we are accustomed, and looked a bit ill.

6.5 - Nima

Looked distinctly off the pace today with none of his usual direct runs or support for Eddie. Didn’t impose himself and will want to put this game behind him.

7.5 - Stu

Some good runs down the right and one of our better passers on the day. Which isn’t saying much but there you are. Supplied good corner for our first goal.

7.5 - Eddie

Had little or no service during the match but made the most of his one chance with a crisp finish. May not have held onto the ball as much as he would have liked.

Subs:

8 - Steve

Made an instant impact with his good positioning and physical presence. Made a real nuisance of himself, created several good chances, scored the equaliser and missed a sitter. Looked very confortable in the supporting striker role.

8 - Gyorgy

A dynamic cameo from the flying Hungarian, with a number of penetrative runs down the flank, and an excellent assist for the winning goal.

A strange day to say the least. After beating Torpedo for the second time this season we had another match called off last week so were still a bit rusty after the winter break that is exclusive to the German Bundesliga and the Bristol Downs league.

We had to be up for this if we were really going to push for the title so we all turned up early (cough, ahem,) edit: nearly all turned up early to make sure we were properly prepared.

Instead of being properly prepared, we were desperately trying to contact Rob Kenward in an attempt to attain some kit for us to wear.  Rob had other ideas though and whilst Anto had raided Nima’s car for the sex pest yellow vests with the worst 70’s porn star top ever ending up with Scanner, Rob was brushing the furry cover on his nine iron with one hand and switching his phone off with the other!

After a bit of serious worrying he turned up though, with just the one Cotswool shirt that he had on his back and no recollection of having the rest of the kit. Yellow sex pests we were.

We started brightly, knocking the ball about and making some decent runs and after a few minutes took the lead with goal of the season. A big kick from Jimmer was flicked on by Nima to Eddie who flicked it again over towards Stu who stepped up and belted a left foot volley straight into the top corner.

We then went back to usual Cotswool of scoring a goal and then going to sleep. We created numerous chances and if we buried another one them then I think we could have won comfortable as Bell are not the best when falling a couple behind as we found out earlier in the season. We didn’t bury them though. Gee had an open goal but it came at him quick and on his wrong foot so couldn’t convert.

They came back into the game when their big winger got past a few of us and buried it in the bottom corner, a result of us trying to play football in our third of the pitch instead of just getting rid. We have to address this in the next game otherwise against better teams we will be punished more often.

The ref I can only say was terrible, giving fouls for nothing and not giving some wreckless challenges, hey, he even managed to give a throw in without the ball going off the pitch, he let their striker climb all over Jimmer without blowing and was basically a waste of space to sum him up.

Anyway, we should have beaten them but we didn’t. We didn’t seem to have a sense of urgency heading into the last part of the game and only a few players screaming to push for a winner but it should have been wrapped up in the first half.

Let’s just hope this and the Cowboys game don’t come back to haunt us. The fans were great as usual, with single season ticket holder Cyrus Khajavi singing his heart out in support of his team.

Ratings:

Jimmer: Finished a glittering 18 year trophy laden career with another solid performance. No chance with the goal and supplied us with his usual shouting and organising of the team. Whoever steps into his boots has got a very tough job. 10

Scan: Didn’t let the worst shirt in town ruin his game. He put a few balls into the box but didn’t get forward as much as he would have liked. Shouted at the ref yet again and launched it when it needed to be launched. 7.5

Chris: Another solid performance. Won everything in the air and controlled the back line well like usual, even getting a nice kick on their striker which he said was accidental but erm….ok, it was accidental, wink wink. He felt he could have done better to stop their goal but a few of us could have to be honest. 7.5

Smiler: A different game to usual as he had no striker to mark so was moving about trying to follow their number 16 who was all over the pitch. Nothing special but no mistakes. 7.5

Craig: Battled well againt their big winger who scored their goal. He could be a handful for anyone but he rarely got past Craig and he controlled him in the air too.  Again like Scanner, probably would have liked to get forward a bit more. 7.5

Gee: Wouldn’t have been happy with his miss but you can’t get them all. Would have liked the ball a bit more but we spent most of the game going down the left wing in this game. Done his job when he did have the ball. 7.5

Duds: Played his usual solid game which is plenty of shouting and tackling. Got stuck in when it counted and tried to get the team going in the last ten mins when we slowed down. 8

Rob: Well, well, well, what can we do with this guy? Had a good game, got stuck in, got hit in the jewels and still has one of them tucked up inside himself. Cleared the ball off the line when Bell were about to score so credit for that. He could have marked a bit better at times and of course he forgot the kit so minus 5 for that (and thats being nice Rob, I went against many a suggestion here! ha ha). Let’s hope he remembers it for next week! 3.5

Nima: Lots of mazy runs this week, regularly beating players but there was a lack of support up front today so if often led to nothing. Gets an extra half point for having the yellow kit in his car otherwise we would have been playing in our pants! 8.5

Stu: What a game. A constant danger down the left wing and if we didn’t put about 20 passes to him straight out of play then we could have, actually, would have had a few more goals. Scored the goal of the season with nothing coming close and was the best player on the pitch. 9.5 *STAR MAN*

Eddie: Didn’t have the usual support from midfield today and was probably  a bit frustrated with that. He still worked hard despite this and was a handful for the Jam Bell defence. 7.5

SUBS:

Steve: Came on and had the task of trying to win some headers as we started playing the ball in the air to push for a winner. Still had a lack of support like Eddie did but worked hard and put himself about. 7.5

Summary: We still go to sleep for big periods of the game which we need to work on if we are to challenge for the honours. We know that when we use Stu and Gee out wide we ALWAYS create lots of chances but for  periods of the game we just can’t manage to get the ball them. If we do this next week we WILL win against Barca.

We just need to extend the length of time when we do play well because during those periods we play some fantastic football and score some cracking goals.  We will pick it up next week, we always play well against the top sides and a 93min showing of the real Cotswool is just round the corner!

We are saying goodbye to Jamie who after 18 years in goal is going to leave Duds with a massive dilemma. Is the next keeper going to be as good at looking after his lighter? Only time will tell.

Good luck Jimmer to you and your family, We wish you the best of luck for the future and when the kids are a little bigger you can come and run the line if you want, i’m sure nobody would object.

On to the next week we go, with a blue and white kit hopefully……

2 games against the reigning champions, 6 points, Cotswool go 3rd! Crikey lemons!

Experience tells me you can tell how Cotswool will play by the way the warm up goes. Ours went very well. We started by hammering it into the net and the muddy puddle, did some heading in of crosses practice, took a few penalties, ran up and down a little briskly for some people’s liking and then spent forth lots of cliches at each other before setting up nicely. At the other end, Torpedo ran around in their rather fetching green bibs which was a bit unnecessary but at least they didn’t play Netball like Lawes.

Onto the game. With the wind at our backs, we got into their half quickly and began to carve open a few well..openings. Nima, fresh from a full Christmas dinner of turkey legs and wings cased in mystery recipe breadcrumbs, treated the crowd to some lovely drag backs, turns and flicks. Eddie, looking fresh after his Christmas diet of raw meat and chilli beans, was hot off his heels and a constant harrying menace. Elsewhere in the team, the back five looked like they had forgotten who each other were but thankfully Duds and Rob, ably supported on the flanks by the willing Stuart and G protected them from any real danger.

10 minutes in, a corner from the right, just where we like them, was awarded. Stuart, sensing a golascoring opportunity swung in a beauty, Chrissy nodded it down and Eddie the hitman Troughton notched his 11th of the season. All good then, a new year and Cotswool actually making the most of early pressure. 10 minutes later some hacking and scuffing in the middle of the park led to a nice little through ball in behind for G to run on and slot past the keeper. The Torpedo linesman failed to flag much to the annoyance of his team mates but to be fair it’s about time we had one of these go our way.

Onto the sending off. More good play from the front men and Eddie skipped past the keeper only to be absolutely nailed by a wild lunge. I really don’t know why goalies do it - it must be something to do with trying to get into the game. He had to go and did. Unfortunately for us, it disturbed us not having to play against a proper goalie and being a nice enough bunch we made sure most of our remaining chances were straight at him,other than a good effort from Craigy which was very well saved at the near post.

Onto the second half. Manager freeman armed with a nice new notepad he got for Christmas, went through the things which we had done well and not so well. Our passing, talking and general eagerness to create danger in both boxes were mentioned along with talk of the wind being the extra man.Indeed it was. For the first 20 minutes, so it prooved. Chrissy limped off and Danny came on. Torpedo mounted considerable pressure withour forcing any corners or shots on goal. In order to break the pattern of the play, a rather harsh decision went against the Cotswool goalie who upended an advancing Torpedo front man. The collision probably didn’t look good - Hansen would have called it ‘clumsy’ or ‘unnecessary’ but the goalie did apparently just get to the ball. Indeed, judging by the gashes in his ankle; the dead leg and the really stiff calf muscle that has prevented him from getting off the sofa, it was never a penalty. The rather committed torpedo captain hammered in the penalty but instead of using this as a spring board to really have a go at Cotswool, it was instead us who remembered why we were all there. Some decent football ensued. Stevie Brunelford came on for the departing Hitman Troughton and linked play well. Stuart almost sealed the win with a thunderbolt that hit the bar and Dudley was justifiably booked for his 8th two footed lunge on the sprint as he dribbled with the ball out of defence. Thankfully, the ref had had enough of being slagged of by Torpedo and blew up to cheers from the crowd.

So, it was worth the waiting for - it’s always good to get the first game after Christmas out of the way whether you win or lose but to beat Torpedo to boot well that’s just tremendous.

Ratings

Jimmer         8.0        Made the game a spectacle with his trademark indecisiveness and rash challenges    in between some good kicking and one neat save in the first half with his legs.

Scan Man     8.0        Rarely got caught out, linked play well with G and got forward putting in some decent deliveries. Even had a header or something in the first half.

Craigy          8.5        Typical Craig - tough, quick and collosal in the air. Had two good shots at goal and was unlucky to be denied a goal by a great save.

Smiler          8.5        His sort of game. Lots of interceptions and tackles and some quality baiting of the opposition.

Chrissy        7.5        Great knock down for the opening goal - a bit quiet today though and got injured.

Duds           8.0        Great team performance full of running and fouling and some measured passing. Deservedly got booked at the end which he looked quite chuffed about.

Rob K          8.0        Looked a bit lost in the first half but improved as the game went on with some crunching tackles. Marked his man really well to the point that he was hardly noticed.

Nima           8.5       The chicken lovin Iranian teased and harried all game. If only he’d buy some new boots he might be able to stand up properly. *STAR MAN*

Stuart         8.0       Great corner for opening goal, used the ball well and almost scored.

Gee            8.0       Always an outlet, scored again and strong in the air.

Danny        7.5       Excellent substitute appearance. Dominant in the air and tenacious in the tackle.

Steve          7.0      A welcome return for the injury stricken Cotswool left footer. Didn’t really get in the game but livened the dressing room up with his banter and talk of getting stuck into the Latvian barmaid. Had he acually got stuck into the Latvian barmaid during his period of convalescence rather than just talking about it, he’d have got a 10.

Goals:  Troughton, Thomas

Crowd: 18, at times 25

Bottom of the league? A bit rubbish? Want a sniff of a result? Play Cotswool. Despite everyone’s best intentions, we just couldn’t shake off Hare on Hill on a cold, grey day on the downs, when practically every other team spanks them 5-0.  It was ever thus.

With a team looking a bit mangled following the loss of our esteemed goalkeeper at the last moment, Smiler went between the sticks, Craig moved to centre half and Aaron popped up from the reserves for an outing at left back.  Following a Q&A session before kick off, it was established that we had beaten Torpedo last week by working for each other. Not by scoring 4 goals to their 1, oh no. Working for each other.  So it followed that if we did the same against the Hare’s, we’d be alright. To be fair, we did get stuck into them in the first half, taking a deserved 2-0 lead. Letting them score before half time wasn’t a very good idea though, it gave them ideas of winning the game. Second half we couldn’t really get going but did create enough pressure for one of their centre backs to smash a great volley into his own net from Stu’s corner. That should have settled it, but we let them score another and then had to withstand a torrent of corners for the last five minutes. If you were Ian Holloway, you’d probably say something about meeting Hare on the Hill in a back alley, slipping them a tenner for a hand job and then scarpering when satisfied, accepting that is was a bit dirty but being happy with the result….

Smiler - Extra point for taking up Jimmer’s position on a freezing cold day when nobody else wanted to do it. Couldn’t really do a lot with either of the goals - didn’t have a huge amount else to do, but when called on he was fine.  Smiles all round. 8

Aaron - Stepped up from the reserves, never played left back before. Apparently he did exactly what Steve Freeman asked him to do and, whatever that was, it did the trick. 8

Chris - Not overly troubled by Hare on the Hill’s attack, looked comfortable for most of the afternoon. Can’t think of anything else to write. 7.5

Craig - Switched to centre half, but nothing fazes the human flea. Jumped high and ran fast. 7.5

Scanner - Swore at the ref. 7.5

Stu - Delivered a corner so inviting that even Hare on the Hill couldn’t resist smashing it in. Helped Aaron out and some silky touches as usual 7.5

Danny B - First half he put himself about plenty , second half couldn’t quite get the same grip on the game. 7.5

Rob - Worked well in tandem with Danny, flying into tackles with good commitment.  Scorer of the (only) overhead kick of the season so far. Hare’s keeper was so startled by Rob’s mobility that he just helped the shot in on it’s way passed him.  8 - Star Man - Steve Freeman said so.

Nima - Had the ‘flu all week but still turned out. Ran more than he thinks he does, always a threat with the ball at his feet. 7.5

Gee - Excellent cross for the second goal, helped shore up the centre of midfield in the last 15 mins. Always assured on the ball. 7.5

Ed - Scored a goal. 7.5

Sub - Dean - Came on. 7

Fantastic win for the Mighty Cots, nice to get back to winning ways after the humiliating defeat to Greyhounds last week.  The scoreline was flattering but we definitely deserved to win the game.  We started the game well and looked like the better team, putting some nice passing moves together backed up by some solid defending.  We found ourselves 0-0 after 15 mins, which must mean our new style professional warm up must have worked, but I did miss smashing the ball as hard as I can at Jimmer.  After both teams had settled into the game, it was a very even affair with neither team creating much, until a mix up in the Torpedo box saw Stu placing a calm shot into the bottom corner, nice finish 1-0 to Cots at half time.

The second half had a familiar feel to it, a crazy 15 mins resulted in us conceding two penalties and a goal, but we kept our heads up and almost straight from the kick off we scored with our first attack of the half to make it 2-1.  The Torps number 8 had a little spell where he tried to run the game, but Dan and Rob managed to stop him with some nice defending and cynical fouling- Nice! With twenty minutes left, we put a nice passing move together resulting in Gee passing the ball into the net- lovely goal, if you had just turned up to watch the game you would be forgiven if you thought you were watching Arsenal (when they were good). With five minutes to go our superior fitness and team spirit showed as we added a fourth goal from Eddie. Get in. 

To sum the game up it was a good, solid team performance with everyone playing well, no weak link and no outstanding performer.  This result is sure to send shockwaves around the footballing world.

Jimmer  a good performance as we come to expect from him.  Commanded his area well, confident and dealt with a couple of dangerous corners well.  Gave away a penalty but is forgiven because he saved the pen and managed to kick the pacey kiddie with the blond highlights up in the air- Good work. Also saved a close range effort which he managed to keep hold of. 8

Scan A solid game from Scan.  Defended well and helped out in attack.  He was very vocal and kept things organised at the back.  Gave away a pen which was a bit harsh cos the foul might have been outside the box, but he got away with it because the penalty was put wide. 8

Chris A typical strong, solid performance.  Kept the strikers in his pocket for most of the game and if they did get passed him he’d give them a little kick.  He controlled the defence well and always gave the ball easy and to feet.  Didn’t see enough Berridge turns though. 8

Smiler Another solid performance from Smiler. This man is becoming a vital part of the team, between him and Chris they didn’t give the strikers a sniff.  Made a great clearance with his head when one of their players was through on goal.  Needs to stop smoking so much or we’ll have to change his name to cougher. 8

Craig Once again, he was to quick and strong for the oppositions winger.  Nothing got passed him and he was always an option in attack, he was good in the air and made some nice passes.  it will surely be a matter of time berfore he bags a goal. 8.5

Stu Put some lovely corners and freekicks into the danger area, we really need to start scoring from some of these crosses.  Helped out well in defence and was dangerous coming forward always giving the ball early starting off attacks.  Scored a nice goal under pressure from a couple of defenders.  Would be nice to see him try and skin a few defenders as he’s got very quick feet. 8.5

Danny A quality game from the big man.  He didn’t stop running and he put in some great tackles, good in the air and was talking all game controlling the midfield.  Seems to have sorted out some fitness issues he had earlier on in the season. 9

Rob Great game.  Naturally an attacking player he was made to adopt a more defensive roll which he did well.  Kicked their best player on the nose early on which kept him quiet for the rest of the half.  If this man concentrates on his game he could be the Robbie Savage of the downs. 8.5

Gee Another good performance from Gee.  Kept the ball well under pressure and gave the easy pass, very strong in the air winning most, if not all of his headers.  Scored a nice goal after a lovely move. 8.5

The Iron Sheik Average game, wasn’t involed for large periods of the game but somehow manged to get on the scoresheet.  Lazy needs to run more. 7.5

Eddie superb game from Edd.  This man doesn’t stop running, he chases every ball and defends from the front.  Took a heavy blow to the danglers late on in the game, but still managed to get up and score a goal.  He makes intelligent runs forward, making it easy for the midfield to find him.  Well played 9 *star man*

Chris Came on at the end for the last five minutes.  Think he only touched the ball once, but put in a nice cross.  Kept his possition well, hope to see him up there next week. 7

Action pictures and new stats. Duds gets it from behind.cotswool stats

Needed to find our winning ways again after a few below par performances. Things did not start well with no obvious left back in the team and with only 11 men turning out. But we started reasonably well and to be honest probably should have put the game to bed in the first half when we had the wind. Second half was a pretty poor performance. After discussing what we needed to do at half time this all went straight out the window and we allowed them 2 goals within 10 mins of the turnaround. But we battled our way back into the game and at least we stopped the losing run and the draw was a fair result.

Jimmer: To be honest not a great deal to do, had no chance with the first goal and was very unlucky with the second. Vocal as always and accepted alot of back passes to help out our defenders and made alot of good clearances 7

Scan: Strong in the tackle and full of energy as usual. Probably didn’t see as much of the ball as he wan’t which wasn’t helped by the windy conditions 7

Chris: Caught in possesion a couple of times early on, but soon put this behind him to do the things he does best head it, kick it and occassionally kick the opposition 7

Smiler: Another strong performance from Smiler. He leads by example determined, strong in the tackle and in the air. Always talking and encouraging others 7.5

Gee: Mr Versatile was called upon to fill the void at leftback and boy did he fill it. Solid all game in defence and also got forward when opportunities came his way and put in some decent balls *8 STAR MAN*

Rob K: Played wide right and as a team we did not get enough of the ball out wide.  When he did get the ball he linked play well and did not give the ball away 7

Dud: Another battling midfield perfomance from Duds really seems to be enjoying his midfield role and adds a bit of bite and energy to midfield. Unlucky not to score with a great strike from the edge of the box in the first half 7.5

Danny: Difficult game against some decent midfield opposition, but Danny coped well and was strong in the air winning us alot of ball and was a constant threat at set pieces. Played a big part in the first goal winning the initial header from throw in 7.5

Nima: Caused the Sneyd defence and midfield alot of problems drifting around the pitch, linked play well as always and after being fouled a couple of times when making driving forward runs he got his deserved goal, smashing home a volley in the first half 8

Stu: Like Rob K did not see as much of the ball as would of liked. Put in some decent set pieces and through ball for Eddies goal 7.5

Eddie: Constant threat on the Sneyd defence terrorising them with his pace and movement. Took his goal well and unlucky not to score with a similar chance minutes earlier, but to be fair he does score his fair share and I think its time some of us should help out with the goal 7.5

COTSWOOL RES. 4 v SNEYD RES. 2 18/10/08

If ever there was a game of 2 halves, this was it. First half was the worst performance all season, characterised by poor marking in every position, lacklustre tackling, and an inability to string more than 2 passes together. Their two goals were gifted to them through poor marking (as is usually the case with most goals that we concede). But the second half was one of the best performances with crisper passing, better marking, and much stronger challenges. The ressies showed grit, determination and charachter to claw their way back into a game that could easily have gone the other way.

Two things made the comeback even sweeter - cots had only half a sub to use, and the ref was one of their players. He gave everything their way (apart from one foul after Si had been kicked by four different players in a row!). But there could be no argument about any of Cotswool’s 4 goals, and the ref even had his own players shouting at him by the end. Sneyd looked dangerous on the break second half, but Cots could have had more goals also.

After a very poor first half display the ratings should have been lower, but I’ve been generous as we did win 4-2 and the comeback was reminiscent of Bristol City at their finest last season.

Moxy 9 - Commanding performance from Moxy, pulling off some quality saves. Didn’t deserve to concede 2 goals, and only struggled for range on one goal kick. Very quick thinking to deal with a dodgy backpass to keep us in the game.

Kev 8.5 - Solid in new role of sweeper and marshalled the defence well. Covered their man on the left allowing Ricky more freedom to get forward. Also cleared away anything and anyone that got behind the man markers. Did wander occasionally second half and worried Moxy with his positioning at times.

Glen 8.5 - Started off as man marker with a mixed display. Lost his man for the first goal but cleared off the line just before their second. Did the business second half after moving to defensive midfield. Strong in the challenge, turned his man several times, spread the play well and didn’t neglect his defensive duties.

Grahame 7.5 - Had trouble sprinting after pulling muscle in the warm up (I haven’t got any pace anyway so you can imagine how slow I was!). Marked up Ok first half but misplaced several passes. Second half made some important clearances and was better on the ball, but lost my man a few times. Should have been a “7″ rating but given myself an extra half a point for actually getting my head on the ball a few times this week.

Rob F. 8.5 - Got stuck in more than most first half, but got caught in posession too much and marking wasn’t great. Switched to man marker 2nd half, rolled his sleeves up and upped his game. Absolute storming header for the 3rd goal, then almost ran off the edge of the downs with an extended goal celebration - quality.

Ricky 8 - Recent chest infection did not seem to hamper him. Full of energy after his rest last week. Did well defensively and had space and time to push forward with Kev marking his man. Good first touch and composure on the ball this week.

Matt 8.5 - Like Ricky, Matt had acres of space 2nd half. And when people started getting the ball to him he used that space well. Some really good crosses and better positioning defensively, but still needs to be stronger with headers and tackles. Did he really get cramp taking a throw-in or was he winding the clock down???

Ben 9 - another good game for Ben. Wasn’t in the game first half (like everyone), but second half started spreading the play and getting forward into dangerous positions. Good save from their keeper stopped him getting on the scoresheet after a belter from outside the box. Lovely pass for the second goal, just a shame it was to Sneyd for their second goal!

Heron 9.5* - Man of the Match. Storming display second half. Got his head or boot on nearly everything as usual, and tracked beck well to help out the defence. On top of this he got the first two goals (one with his knee) which kickstarted the comeback. This is why he is my MOTM.

Geoff 8 - Full of running and energy as usual, but saw less of the ball than last week. Needs the ball into feet or along the floor to be most effective (especially when playing against four 6-footers like yesterday), so lets try and keep it down a bit eh guys? Unlucky not to score near the end of the game.

Si 9 - Caused loads of problems second half. Skinned his man several times and passed the ball well. Great turn, sprint and delicate finish for his goal. Unlucky not to score with a Beckham-esque lob from just over the halfway line. Great cross with his right boot for one of the goals.

Hopefully this will work and the spreadsheet as well….cotswool1

Steve, Glen, Bundy…. Click on this link. I’d like to see it in action this saturday please.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ewqy5EDrenw&feature=related

After a few hostile words had been said throughout the day showing the desire of both teams to win this highly anticipated match finally the time had come. The most anticipated fixture of the season had arrived. The 26 games in the downs league is merely a warm up for this game!

The proceedings started in true Cotswool style with the changing rooms being locked so pitch side became a free-for-all dressing room. Fortunately it was not a typical rainy summer’s day and the sun was out in true force. A few of the players (Jimmer and Heron) thought it was an appropriate time to quote some Shakespeare. Don’t ask.

A single blow of the whistle from Glen, bravely volunteering to be the games referee, and the match was underway. As the reserves commenced with a more tentative approach in the opening exchanges, the First’s appeared to have more intent about them and proceeded to play the ball around with ease. Good movement from Nima and Elford on the wings confused the Ressies man marking system and with Eddie quick out of the traps early on he was leaving the ressies back line in his wake. It wasn’t long before the first few chances arose. Survival for the reserves ensued and Moxey was constantly kept on his toes between the sticks.

The Firsts didn’t have to wait too long before they got their goal. A long ball from the ressies rear guard (me!) was cut out by Gordon and put straight into the path of Elford on the counter. Elford skinned his man marker (me again!) and got round the back of the defence to square the ball for Nima who had cut in from the right flank to smash the ball into the back of the net inside the six yard box. 1-0.

20 minutes into the game and Glen made couple of tactical changes for the ressies which saw Kev slot into the defence and Ben and Matt brought into midfield – Genius. From here the ressies began to settle down and were more composed on the ball. Anthony started to control the ressies game whilst Heron was ‘putting it about’ in the midfield battle which Gee, Danny and Gordon had dominated so early on. A couple of refereeing decisions that went in the Reserves favour and some valiant defending from Kev and Lee meant the tide was starting to turn. Simon’s pace and driving runs were becoming more of a danger to the so far untested and comfortable First team defence and Colin was inter-linking the play well between the midfield and strikers. As Rik was receiving more of the ball on the right hand side it was from one of these passages of play that the ball was played into Si Mac who got the ball down and headed goal wards to drive home the equaliser. 1-1

Half-time.

The re-start saw the game pretty much continue as before with the ressies continuing to impose themselves on the match but with Stu coming on to bolster the first teams attack there was always a threat on the reserve teams’ goal. By now the ressies had truly established themselves in this contest and at the same time the first team had started to feel the effects of the Ashley game 2 nights before. Predictably, Craig and Duds were being difficult to break down and with Tommy Button and Smiler <insert real name here> complementing them as the fullbacks Cameron was introduced to the game for the ressies to freshen things up and add some much needed fire power. A good spell of pressure for the reserves culminated in a mazing run by Anthony into the box to cut back for Simon to rocket in his second and give the Reserves the lead for the first time, nearly taking Jimmers head with it. 1-2.

The reserves continued to play football and push forward but they new the next goal would be crucial so hanging on to the slender lead they had started to play in their minds. The first team as ever were still trying to get the ball down and play compared with the reserves more direct approach. Some determined interceptions and dogged challenges from Kev at the back kept the strikers at bay and the ball out of the net. As the game wore on the sent of victory was in the air for the ressies but as the game was stretched and players found themselves with more space and time the first team were once again getting to the by-line and whipping in some menacing crosses. Paul Cowen and Smiler had notable shots on goal and with 5mins remaining on Glens egg timer a deep cross saw Paul arriving bang on time at the back post to clinch an equaliser. 2-2.

Both teams desperately went in search of a winner which nearly came for the ressies when Si Mac narrowly shot over the bar just missing on his hat-trick. The full-time whistle blew. Final score: 2-2

The penalty shootout that ensued went in favour of the First team but I think all agreed after the game that it was an evenly contested affair.

Man-of-the-Match: On any normal day Simons brace would have been enough to clinch it but I think the decision of both teams after the game was unanimous that the accolade goes to Kev for his heroics at centre half.

And lastly, if you’re still reading this drivel…

Quote of the day: As usual this comes from the Dali Llama himself – Steve Freeman

“At the end of the day I’d rather see you hitting the ball in the trees than in the back of the net”

Go figure.

Posted by Rob Foster