Incredible Comeback Ruined by Inconsiderate Opposition

This Saturday's game was great for the purists, but a 5-3 loss for us made it even better for Spalding.

Spalding began the first-half in a stereotypically agricultural style, unleashing a full-pitch-length aerial (it was the highest thing for miles) thanks to, unquestionably, the best individual player on the pitch, and probably we've faced thus far in the league. We quickly dealt with this initial sortie, but the game's pattern was now set, with Spalding launching long balls, via air and astroturf, and marauding around our 'D,' whilst we attempted to build from the defence using shorter passes. Spalding's approach initially brought them more joy. Having won a short-corner, a tasty drag-flick from Spalding's string-puller buried itself in the top-left corner. 1-0. Ross was the man on the post, and claims he didn't see it. This claim is dubious, however, because it entered the goal via his head, in which rest his eyes... Regardless, it was a good goal, and there was nothing to argue. We remained under pressure, and our forays forward were few. Spalding soon doubled their lead. Their second goal also came via Ross. This time, though, it fortunately deflected off his stick rather than his skull, after a speculative crash-ball found an equally speculative deflection, which, in turn, just clipped Ross's usually reliable wand. 2-0. The crowd were roaring. They soon became more subdued, for our less-direct style began to shine. We won a short corner, and, in our classic style, the original plan failed, but someone - this time it was Luke - appeared to poke the ball in. 2-1. For the next five minutes, Spalding were cagier than a Kentish wine tour seeing Pat arrive, yet we couldn't transform their malaise into a goal. On the stroke of half-time, Spalding somehow won a short-corner (which is all I'll say, lest I get reprimanded, but if you want to hear what happened, ask any of the defence at training). They converted, this time with a lethal drag to the bottom-left, making it 3-1.

The comeback began. Grant recovered from an unfortunately timed slip in the oppo's 'D' and played the ball to Barney, who slipped it through the youthful keeper's legs. 3-2. We kept pressing our advantage, but couldn't sneak another goal, despite a couple of short-corners. Finally, we levelled things with a clever routine. Sellers's flick was undoubtedly flying into the top-right-hand corner, but Luke quite rightly helped it on its way. The match became very tense, and the crowd was blissfully quiet. Neither side could sneak ahead. Spalding's string-puller had to run the length of the pitch, win a short-corner, and for another player to convert that short-corner, to break the deadlock. 4-3. In our crazy chase to regain parity, Spalding scored again, with a relatively uncontested attempt from the 'D.' 5-3. The final whistle soon blew.

We keep coming close, and we are always in the game, but we can't yet translate our performances into points. Next week sees us play Pelicans at home. Please come along and support us! Spalding had a huge home crowd, and nobody wants to be outdone by them.

MoM: Luke Naunton (reinventing himself as a forward)

DoD: Sam Tattersall (forgetting various items of clothing)

#Mikey'sRiddles #NewTeslaNewBruise #BewareTheHairyMan