1) Concentration dear boy
After the deluge of the spectacular and/or ridiculous in recent weeks (see last weeks article) this weekend marked the return to the more textbook variety of Arthurian League goals. Our opener was a looped ball in, missed by their keeper and flopped into the corner off Rob England's shoulder. Both of their strikes came from their fast (and our absent) reaction to rebounds. Dialling up the concentration next week could make all the difference.
2) A loud-mouthed simpleton could turn our season round
Despite the sensible point made in (1), there is perhaps another interpretation for the difference between the two sides. Throughout a tight and absorbing contest on Saturday, Aldenham had in effect an extra man. Not an extra man on the pitch, no, even Posh Ref would probably have noticed that after half an hour or so. Their extra man was their non-playing manager, whose searing tactical acuity and fresh, original instructions could not fail to drive his troops to glory. Whether being implored to "box 'em in", remain ever mindful of the existence of "time", or the pressing necessity for getting "straight in", the yellow shirts were mere pawns on this latter-day Bobby Fischer's board. Punctured regularly of course by that most armour-piercing of rhetorical questions: "where's the talking?". Could the presence of a ludicrous, tracksuited man, riddled with cockney, bellowing trite Sunday league inanities turn our season around? It's undeniably worth a shot. Does anyone know what time 'Arry Redknapp needs to report to the MOTD studio?
3) Posh Ref wants us to just all get along
While most referees insist on regulating the game with such proletariat vulgarities as "blowing the whistle" and "signalling which way they've given a decision", Posh Ref prefers a more relaxed and groovy approach. Throw ins are never signalled, free kicks only awarded if the offending team is so dashed caddish as to try to play on after their foul. A weary expression meets any questioning or appealing. He almost seems disappointed that society has decayed to the point where it's necessary for him to be there at all.
4) At least the Vets know how to beat Charterhouse
In a refereeless, subsituteless game on Sunday morning, a strong Vets side led by Gordon Baker went to Charterhouse and triumphed 1-0 over the traditional Arthurian League heavyweights. The onus is now on the Vets captain, who scored the deciding goal, to pass on the lessons to his counterpart Mr Kiley in the hope that our seemingly never ending series of defeats at the hands of the Carthusians can come to an end. On a side note, Ed Lascelles showed that what's good enough for the 2s is good enough for the Vets, turning up 15 minutes after the game started before hobbling off with a pulled hamstring.
5) Someone has finally made an honest woman of Vern.
Congratulations old chap.