Stonesfield - Cup Match

Oh it's good to be back. 80 minutes of total football and stiff as a board, walking round like a robot for the next 48 hours after. Good to see all the lads again, after our mid-season break. The usual banter started as soon as we got in the dressing room. Rumours were going round Oxford that Creedy had a new Goalkeeper for this game, as Colin (Lobby) Fleet was on an Anger Management Course in Coventry. Then in walks Thommo with a donout in one hand and a king size Mars Bar in the other claiming he was donning the gloves for the evening. We started off with a weigh in, and suprisingly the team only weighed in a stone heavier than our last get together back in December. Not bad, looking at the state of Thommo and Dave Watson.

Creedy done his usual Player of the Month award for December, and this honour went to Shaun Bradbury for his impersonation of Bambi on Ice over at Ardley. A Mars bar Easter Egg was handed over to Bradders, although I believe Thommo brought it off him for 50 pence.

Then the team was anounced. Phil McRodney and Chris Fontaine had still not returned from African nations duty, Fleety was on his course and Gary Murphy had the all England Dominoes championship to attend. Thommo in goal, a back four of Creedy, Mark O'Hara, Mark Lewis & Jules Dark. Midfield Tim Bowley, Bradders, Stuart Clarke & Watsy. Up Front Holdy & Mark Orlando. On the bench, Liam Carroll, Mark Jennings & Julio Baressi (still depressed at AC Milan getting turned over by Arsenal).

The boys really struggled first half, although dominating most of the pocession, really let themselves down with the final ball in the final third. We'll put it down to too much of the good stuff over xmas (won't we Watsy???)

We'll just write the first off as one of those days. However, the second half was a much different affair with the Vets back to their silky best. Julio replaced Watsy at half time. We had to keep an eye on Watsy as he was a little bit depressed on the way he had performed in the first half (all sharp objects were kept away from him). The substitution seemed to work wonders as Julio scored a cracking volley 5 minutes into the 2nd half after great work from Olly down the left wing. Within 10 minutes it was 2-0 after a cracking individual goal by "little" Julian Dark. The game was done and dusted with 20 minutes remaining, when yours faithful anticipated a back pass, and rounded the keeper to make it 3-0. I then added my second with 5 minutes remaining, after good work from Clarkey to make the final score 4-0 and send us to the final, where we will meet Old Hooky, who beat Ducklingon 3-0 in the other semi last night.

I must mention Thommo's save right at the death. Top Quality Thommo (watch your back Fleety).
Credit must go to Stonesfield for really making it a tough game for us. It was good to see my old strike partner from my Cold Arbour days, Johnny Merrill still playing (thanks for the studs down the back of my leg, Johnny???).

The banter carried on afterwards in the dressing room and in the bar afterwards. Marco told us all about his trip to La Manga, but I don't think I should share any of this info on the noticeboard!!!
Roll on next Wednesday. Chinnor Away at Abingdon Town. Be there or be Square.