Saint Paul

The HRBFC U13 Colts are in their first season in the East Berks Saturday league. Back in September we played Woodley Wanderers in our inaugural match and came away with a somewhat undeserved 2-0 defeat. This time, against the same opponents, we had a point to prove.
And prove it we did.

With a few bells on, some icing and even a cherry on top.

With key players missing, the dressing room resembled the Half Time scene from Escape to Victory, minus Thijsen and Wark. We approached our first match at St Paul’s Catholic School in Sunbury on an excellent pitch with nets in place, mowed grass, clear lines and everything, with more than a little apprehension.

Brian Clough once substituted a fit player without bringing on a replacement. We didn’t quite adopt that strategy but at 7-0 up at half time we did shuffle the pack. Jacob with 912 goals in his last 8 matches went right back. Francis came out of goal for the first time and slotted in at left back. Bertie took over in goal but realised that it could be quite boring. Kaya went up front. Other changes followed. One unaware of the score line would have thought the Gaffer was drunk, even at this early hour.

Woodley scored the goal of the game with a cross-cum-shot into the top corner. Dino Zoff would have struggled, let alone Bertie Ferguson coming in about four foot shorter.

The highlight of the match was a goal from Sam Robert. It was his first goal in senior football. Further to the teletext update Sam will now be re christened Sam Robert! He nearly scored a second. For the Southampton supporting Sam, the goal scoring comparisons with Shane Long are bound to follow. Oh and Leo Kinchin bagged a brace with his head. Actually, that is also worthy of an exclamation mark.
The rest of the game was a haze. We could have scored many more. This team is really settling in and has an outside chance of a top three finish.

We have Caversham away next Saturday and the Scorpions of South Reading the week after to wrap up an excellent first season.
If, as is likely, we stay in level three next season, we would like to give promotion a really good go and maintain the superb team spirit. We are looking for a couple of players so if you know of anyone who fancies Saturday football for next season’s Under 14s please do let me know.

Final Score 15-1.

Goal scorers…….I wish I wrote them down.
Erm
Sam R 1
Leo 2
Bertie 1
Jacob 3
Kaya 2
Seb 1
Archie 1
Louis 1
Seif 1
+ 2 others (Sorry!)
Man of the Match - Joint - Seif and Sam R but it could have been anybody. Another cracking team performance.