Happ-

So we are back, it’s 2018 and we are on the move!

Helicopters; sunshades, hotel rooms, overnight signings, overseas contacts, black books, black arts at the FA, Champagne Vasques, Flutes and a robust night life that continues to delve deeper into the 21st century than it otherwise ought to.

Football Management, can we not agree, is a prickly and precarious business! Yet can we not also agree that Pressure is something you add to tyres and begin to accept that being “The Gaffer” isn’t too dissimilar to a cog of a bicycles wheel?

Spiky, "certainly!" Oily and unkempt “yes your honour”! Useless and redundant without accoutrements of chain and wheel – "damn straight!" So let’s collectively stop being a spanner in the works and simply recognise the truly wonderful if fleeting experience.

So why should such Gaffers persist with the sort of exasperated expression of someone who has just stepped into an ice bath? Perhaps it’s the fickle nature of the sport and the foreboding sense that you are only as good as your last game! It could also germinate from the exhausting flux of weekly events that build up to actual match day?

Is there a perspicacious alternative that can turn these browbeaten faces back toward the very ebullience of life?

What you find etched on your average Managers face is a genuine apathy towards the rollercoaster of events. Its crap and incongruous, like listening to Roddy Forsyth or any other Scotsman (outside of our own Russ of course) pontificate on the merits of football? I am just not sure they are qualified ;-)

Current division 2 leaders Hampton & Richmond Youth Knights began their 2018 campaign against 2nd team Motspur Park Pride. Under a dusty steel grey duvet of a sky, the Knights took to the field with all the vigour of a team who simply could not say NO to all those Xmas chocolates. Quality Street, Bendicks, even the foul coffee flavoured ones from packets of Revels - gobbled up.

Nevertheless a slow burning match at Kingsfield soon evolved into the kind of barnstormer that will be remembered in the annals of time. The Knights strived for possession and by enlarge merited the lion’s share of the 1st half. This despite Motspur having taken the lead with an incredible corner kick early doors. A sturdy back 4 stubbornly resisted our repeated attempts to carve open space and opportunity.

A foul, up steps birthday boy and Richmond matador Max Adams. He sets the ball down, breaths deep and rifles the ball into the top left hand corner of the net. Next a whip like turn and Max faces down onrushing team mates! A timely reminder that whatever Motspur can do, we just do it better. Having said that the 1st half erupted into calamity as the Knights woefully conceded two goals from poorly defended corners. Struth!

A good rollicking at half time and before you know it Jacob rolled over an assortment of skittles before lumping the ball into the back of the net. Bertie, switching to right wing, endeavoured to lift spirits, standards and finally decibels with a beautifully lofted shot from distance and put us back level. We were now simply on fire. Competing for everything and winning most. Goal – Owen yippee! Goal - Freddy heading the ball in after a tremendous shot from distance by Jacob ricocheted off the cross bar twice only to bounce again off Freddy’s nut to go in. Goal a brace from Bertie after slipping the ball around the keeper. Goal – Jacob - effort & work rate. Whistle – 7 to 3 (Yes)

Easy to talk about goals however let’s not forget Louis & the Sam's in defence. Industry from Arvin. Joe Fletcher battled well and Leo strangely finding himself playing CDM and averting numerous long balls from doing any damage. Big Hands Wiggins calling for the ball with increasing authority and nice pin point passes from his 6 yard box.

MOTM: Jacob

Goals: 2 Bertie 2 Jacob 1 Max 1 Owen 1 Freddy.

Tune: Happ-E-2-C-U-A-GINN by Graham Central Station – Enjoy & Happy New Year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkvOS2boK-U Enjoy.