Sunday October 26, The Jokers (a)

Courtesy of Micah Watkins and his new wipsy beard...

So, is this a long blog yes it is, but thats because it was a Bloody hard slog of a game. Well I arrived with Ketch nice and early 14.30pm parked up and wondered what this cold wet afternoon had in store for the lads this day. The opposition were also keen to play, they were also pretty early standing around living up to their names telling each other Jokes and generally joking around waiting for the Alliance to arrive.

As the Alliance lads arrived, I knew as I wasnt playing today, my job would be to take care of the smaller Alliance future i.e. Master Henry who was fast asleep and totally out cold. Looked like a good place to be, wrapped up in dad's coat and a blanky. Coyley walked across the pitch with a small grin on his face, oh crap I knew this would happen, the ref was late and they needed a stand in, and so be it. I walked on the pitch, black coat, baseball cap, ready to take control of this match. Keepers ready, Contenders ready, 321 I blew the whistle.

Paul taking early command of the team, the ball started bouncing back and forth and finally ended up at Ketch's feet his first touch for months but before he could do anything one of the Jokers took his feet out from under him. Do I blow for a foul or do I play the advantage, let us have the advantage, forgive me Ketch. The ball bounced towards Gibsy who knocked the ball over the top, play the advantage I said to myself. Medge took hold of the ball and took off, followed by Ian and the Alliance massive surely Medge could convert this, go on son give it a dig was the call from me, oh ahhh yes I am supposed to be impartial at the moment sorry but the advantage played was to no avail straight at the keepers chest, never mind son next time.

We then stopped for a minute, at last the ref was here, 35mintues late,Ohhh Heeellooo, its a woman. Fair enough, I handed over control to her, all the while thinking to myself you forgot to set your clock didnt you, and what did you go shopping for, anyway my male chauvinist side came out but the game continued. The Jokers came back at us, pushing hard towards our defence moving towards Dan and Colin who measured up to them, tracked them and defended well. Colin always going in hard and making his challenges first time well done. We pushed forward again after a big goal kick by Bernie after a few attempted headers the ball landed with Ian who switched it from right over to Medge on the left who danced around one then two then on his left foot you beauty it's in.1 0 Alliance.

The Jokers took the retake, Dan working hard at the back, backed up by Ketch and Colin, Dai clearing his lines and making great challenges. Jonesy running hard and pushing the ball forward as much as possible trying to find Medge and to create chances, the ball bounced back in our favour we pushed forward Paul screaming orders, Dan and Ketch commanding the rear then the ball from my vantage point seemed to bobble back off a Joker after some one had a shot not sure who and then some how bounced of another joker and Oh my God its in, Yey 2 - 0 Alliance own goal by the Jokers.

When half time came we were looking goooood! (At this point the editor steps in to make everyone aware of a strange 20 minute period in the first half which clearly affected Micah as much as the players. Things werent looking good at half time, we were 5-2 down after being 2-0 up. See below but imagine some of it happened in the first half).

Paul giving his normal up lifting team talk it looked like we had this in the bag. 2nd Half The Jokers, proper angry and cheesed off kicked off. Paul bossing it in the middle got hold of the ball knocked a ball over the top chased by Dan backed up by Ian here we go again, then some how the ball found its way to Jokers who pushed back at us and some how crap they scored, it was weak never mind start again lads we all said start again. We kicked off, the ball bouncing around Ketch in his first game back clearing his lines hard and well, Collin tracking his player constantly and getting struck in Chris clearing the ball out the ball landing at Iain's feet. Iain turns and swings a great shot just over the bar a decent effort. We played hard and kept battling hard, then they get a corner, it was then that I felt a great disturbance in the force , the ball played in curling to the far post and then it happened they scored , The Shit Bastards scored 2 1 well never mind lads lets go again then a few minutes later 2 2, OK lads dont worry, keep it cool Paul said calm it down lets get some composure on the ball, then again they came back at us we tracked them back making tackles where needed, marking their players but then an a opening on the right hand side gave them an advantage they broke through and holly hell 3 -2 to the Jokers, not sure what was going on but they clearly found a weakness in the Alliance's armour.

We continued to battle hard and to be honest there really wasnt much in it with Medge getting another goal with a great strike after muscling his way forward. Jonesy again creating chances up front and then Iain also sending another one in, good man Iain great vision. But then before we knew it the shit, I mean the Jokers, had become invigorated Hey whats going on we are playing so well and before I could scream loud enough to wake Henry up it was 4 - 2 Oh my little Padawan dont wake sleep.. It was then that it got a little scrappy as we were fighting hard the Jokers didnt like the fact that we could fight as hard as them and take it and give it back to them, at one point I clearly remember Dan holding his temper and not ripping one of the Jokers' heads off. Paul, also flexing his muscles but showing them who was boss, and me giving them a piece of my mind from the side line.

Then the score line started to change rapidly, the Alliance, no matter (how they stop us, no matter - insert from the ed) what we did couldnt stop the dark force of evil breaking through again they scored 5 - 2 (see half time comment) then 6 - 4 oh hell its 7 - 4 but the Alliance did not sit back, not from where I was standing, I really dont know how they managed to take the victory from us, you may have your opinions but to me it seemed just damned unlucky on our side. We basically got taken up the arse by this lot and not sure why this happened as to be honest the Alliance did not relent or give up it was just one of those games where the Gods decided to screw us. Ketch you played well in your first game back. Well done Sir, not too rusty at all.Bernie again hats of to you for going in between the sticks (Ed - Sorry Micah but I made a dog's cock of between the sticks. Closing my eyes and hoping for the best isnt what we needed).Captain Paul as ever you played hard and dedicated.Gibbsy, Dan, Colin some excellent challenges in defence, Jonesy, Iain, Medge great performances lads.

We will have our day, lets be positive, our day is coming and we will be victorious, I have to say that after careful deliberation with Henry, we decided that the man of the match goes to Colin who challenged better than I have ever seen him, and marked his man constantly a great effort well done Colin. If I have forgotten anything forgive me but such a high scoring game there was a lot going on but well done lads keep your chins up.