BERKHAMSTED 1-2 WINGATE & FINCHLEY Has my train pulled into Berkhamsted my mood was one of trepidation, was I in the right town this time, had Paul recovered from his little stint of being the linesman on Saturday and most importantly would Tom turn up wearing the same outfit as me again? Happily the answer to the first question was confirmed as I approached the ground, the whacking great “Next Game vs Wingate/Finchley” sign provided me with the first clue that unlike last Tuesday I had managed to turn up at the correct venue for my latest fix of The Blue Gods (In Yellow and / or White) Unfortunately the answer to the second question “Had Paul recovered for the excursions of performing linesman duties on Saturday?” was a resounding no, when it became apparent that Paul wasn’t going to make the game I enquired as to his whereabouts and I was told officially off the record that the little of power that Paul enjoyed on Saturday had apparently gone completely to his head and he had since ensconced himself in a secret volcano lair in his attempt to become an evil genius and rule the world. Regrettably the answer to the third question was a resounding yes, that little pea-munching git Salinger did indeed turn up in the exact same outfit as myself making us look like some sort of weird double act. I felt sorry for Martin, the good people of Berkhamsted probably assumed he was myself and Tom’s carer. It was nice to finally play in a proper ground again following our exploits in the cage against Potters Bar and the village green efforts at Codicote. Additionally and much to the delight of the pea-fiend Berkhamsted and put together a four page program / leaflet arrangement. Wingate started with a strongish looking line up and seemed to be happily creating chances at will, indeed apparently Paul Wright sent over a cross that Spencer McCall might have buried on another day within the opening 60 seconds. Unfortunately I missed this has I was busy startling the poor people who were innocently playing squash in the nearby building by taking care of a call of nature in a spot I thought was discreet until I noticed them watching me through the window. One noticeable absentee from today’s squad was the mercurial Hector Spanish, apparently he had returned to which ever country he originates from for about a month. Despite all the initial pressure from the visitors it was Berkhamsted who took the lead when a cross into the box from our left back position found a Berko forward completely unmarked at the far post who duly smacked the ball past the helpless Bobby Smith. We nearly hit back immediately when a delightful Lairdy through ball found Leon bursting through towards the opposition keeper, however instead of taking the chance himself Leon squared the ball for Spencer McCall unfortunately the young midfielder was closely marked and the chance was nullified. Leon soon made up for his error when again he was released through the middle, this time he took the chance himself and slotted the ball through the legs of the keeper to level the scores. Despite looking dangerous ourselves Berkhamsted were not just present to make up the numbers and continued to have chances off their own, they rattled the woodwork as well as their forward heading the ball straight into the grateful arms of Bobby Smith from a set piece. Eventually our superiority told and lovely run and cross from Hector Mackie saw Leon score with a beautifully executed overhead kick, when I saw beautifully executed I mean he sat on the floor and waved his foot at the ball as it sailed past him totaling wrong footing the goal keeper and giving The Blue Gods the lead. The second half was a slightly tamer affair and didn’t yield any goals, the highlights of the second period included Spencer McCall hitting the beans on toast with a lovely shot, those nasty Berkhamsted bad boys injuring Frankie Webb and an appearance from the bench of ex Oxford United and Welling United winger Robert Hughes who’s story is horrific and inspirational in equal measure. The referee’s whistle ended proceedings and the Blue Gods (1st team) remain unbeaten in preseason. Next up we welcome Conference South outfit Maidenhead to Summers Lane, which will be a massive test for the lads. Unfortunately I won’t be present, boooooooo to Chloe! The Blue / White / Yellow Gods: 1- Bobby Smith 2- Ola Williams 3- Paul “feathers in his hair” Wright 4- TJ Hooker from Dagenham 5- Marc Weatherstone 6- Farai Hallam 7- Marcus Milner 8- Spencer McCall 9- David Lairdy 10- Leon “Patent sit down and score routine” Smith 11- Hector “Travelling back at the weekends” Mackie Subs: 12- Dean “International Superstar” Mason 13- Kane Newman 14- Daniel “Footsteps in the Flour” McGonigle 15- Ryan Sellars 16- Robert “Inspiration” Gould 17- God knows who this bloke was I don’t think he touched the ball 18- Frankie “Only slaughters his own” Webb The Ryan Sellars Son of Weathers MOTM – Hector Mackie Attendance – 51 (7 Wingate & Finchley)
Posted on: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 11:56:41 +0000