Just five more minutes

I was reminded at our committee meeting last Monday that it was a while since I'd written anything, so the first win of the season seemed like an opportune moment.  It is of course, always nice when the first win of the season is in the first game, but sometimes that doesn't happen, and it's a few games before that magic moment.  We'd started off with a 2-2 draw, which given we'd been 2 down, seemed like a win, but it has taken a month for the first real win to materialise.  Following our magnificent 3-0 victory, we adjourned to the Tring bar for some chips, ruminations, Man-of-the-match and donkey.  Our discussions were delayed by half the team deciding to go to Tescos, and then back up Tring high street, despite the fact that the pitch is almost visible from the clubhouse, and Tescos was on the other side of the road from the clubhouse.  This very nearly won the donkey award, but in the end, Steven won it for the weediest goal ever scored, being back heeled a few inches over the line by the opposition keeper, from a shot which Dec (or possibly George) described as 'even my granny could have stopped that'.  However, Steven balanced it up with the man-of-the-match too, a feat his dad had managed a fortnight previously.  Normally we don't like award-hogging, but in the case of a man-of-the-match also being the donkey, we're prepared to make an exception.

After the 5s, I went to umpire the Vintage, only to be requested to play, which given that the Vints are in a different league, you are allowed to do.  I'd like to point out that I am a year too young, but given that the previous week Sean's daughter had played, I don't think that anyone thinks that means anything.  Still, just thought I'd mention it, before I join the FABS next year (Fifty And Beyond Society).  Whew, Canterbury were good.  I thought we played out of our skins to just lose 0-4, especially given the fact that last year's champions had lost 0-8 to them the previous week.

After a beer with the Vints, I returned to Newlands to umpire the 4ths, who were beaten by a strong Wycombe side.  Good match again though.  And so finally to today's match, and the piece-de-resistance, the U14 Development As (one of our joint sides with Gerrards Cross) against Milton Keynes.  We started off at breakneck speed and after 20 minutes were 3-0 up, 2 from Tom M, one from Joe, all in open play after some strong approach work, after the MK keeper had saved several times.  MK shuffled their side and brought on some new players, and in 5 minutes before half-time scored 3 to draw level, 2 from short corners.  From the restart, MK powered forward to catch us on the hop and went ahead.  MK pressed forward, and only some great saves from William and last ditch defence kept them out. Finally ACGX broke forward and Tom M scored again for his hatrick and to draw level.  Almost from the off, ACGX attacked, but MK once again replied with a well taken breakaway to take the lead.  After that, it was end-to-end, as ACGX pushed for the equaliser again, with Tom M having a goal disallowed for being high from a short (the umpire commented that he felt bad having to disallow such a great reverse stick goal), but it was MK who caught us on the break for a 6th and then almost immediately a 7th.  The game looked over but still it was end-to-end with Tom M again scoring from a short to bring the score back to 5-7, and then with 5 minutes to go, and ACGX pressing increasingly hard, Will forced home a short corner rebound to make it 6-7.  Could ACGX come back from 3 down as MK had done earlier?  All the parents on both sides were now screaming furiously as every player on both sides was playing flat out, as MK went for a killer 8th on the break and ACGX pushed forwards desperately for the equaliser.  ACGX pressed still harder with a minute to go, and with MK pinned back in their 25, the MK keeper made a great save with the end of his toe, and then again in a one-on-one from Tom B, when the final whistle went.  Elation from MK at having hung on, and rueful smiles from ACGX, but both sides shook hands and chatted excitedly, the umpires commented on what a great game it had been, parents commented on how pleased they had been to make the trip for such an exciting match, and I'm not sure whether it was the parents or the boys who were more flushed.  Nick said he was sure that with just 5 more minutes they could have equalised and maybe even won.  Sometimes it's a shame when somebody has to lose, but a match like that is what the thrill is all about.