Samson &

“Stranger Things”

If half term represents for you, it certainly does for me, a harrowing & haunting 7 days whereby family time suddenly transforms into “real time”! A one week period crafted together to exhibit some raw facts indeed. Such as? Well whatever it is you and you’re clan have humbly pencilled in, it shall never outshine or check mate various friends, neighbours and associates accumulated in a life ill spent.

“Dominican Republic Gaffer – apologise”! “Skiing – Grenoble – should have mentioned it sooner” and finally “Paul he is wrestling a Snow Leopard in central south Asia – sorry if that’s left the team a tad short”?

“OK OK I get it, its fine! Just make sure that he wears his bloody shin pads – we have a table topping clash on the 25th”. Hardly Churchillian quote – I accept!

Stranger things can happen of course, things only get better right? Wrong! Who the hell decided to plump Valentines days into the very heart of this family storm? Today, Sunday 18th might just represent for you, it certainly does for me, a cathartic moment of sorts where a light but perceptible renovation occurs.

Match-day, light in terms of numbers, PE has an awful lot to answer for ha ha! PE of the Private Edumacation varietal that is! So away to title challenger’s Mitcham Park I take a look at our ravaged and emaciated bench and briefly delight that there exist Schools in Tokyo that wish to adopt Giorgio Armani uniforms to the tune of 80,000 yen. That’s £ 531 queen’s each folks? Bang – every cloud has a designer silver liner.
Bitter, Resentful - not a chance! I abhor but few things; other Football Managers; dodgy ill equipped linesman and finally home cooked referees! All but none quite as dodgy as a Japanese Sumo wrestling competition in my book but still.

Conscious that each impending moment presents new challengers I asses the battle ground and sniff out the variables. A gentle whiff of spring. A subtle nose of insolence. Swagger? Yes, yes indeed but this was no swag of a Matador. Strength/Power – certainly a hint of both but like the OAK that emanates from excessively aged Rioja – neither ripe nor piquant!

Today Mitcham Park Colts, a decent team that sit 3rd place having only lost twice all season! First circumnavigate various fun runs that look anything but fun. Ensure that the whole team arrive for the warm up prompt and on time. This never appears to pan out – even at home?

Second ensure that everything is factored, no stone unturned and all physiological and psychological imperatives have been mentioned at least 14 times!

The refs whistle and we are 1 up – Jacob from a Ben Roohan corner. Comforting and soft but we will certainly take it.

We needed to start again from scratch knowing fortune generally favours the brave. Well we were the brave as we once again fashioned a goal from another Ben R cross! This time Bertie – momentarily silent - before sliding the ball pass their keeper low to the left and begun celebrating and bellowing simultaneously. 2 up – half time phew!

It must be said at this point that Mitcham’s opportunities kept to a bare minimum in the 1st half thanks to wise and well-mannered back 4 and a midfield that flatly refused to give up the ball up for more than 10/15 seconds. Max Adams – sod that more like Tony Adams in the tackle as the team grew in spirit.

The stone in the sling was Jacob who separated Mitcham’s sturdy back four time and time again! Think Charlton Heston playing the part of Moses when he parted the sea in“The Ten Commandments” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqCTq3EeDcY

Jacob’s hair slightly shorter today but the wizardry very much intact!

The second half a little scrappier with Mitcham doing their very best to generate something special on the counter. Michael Burton / Sam Musgrave sparing no space with Charlie and Freddy cleaning up but few efforts. Growing increasingly frustrated, Mitcham agitated us occasionally but were ultimately reduced to taking shots from distance when a rare opportunity opened up.

Goal Jacob – incredible! The final whistle – breath.

Mitcham Park Colts 0 Hampton & Richmond Youth Knights 3

MOTM: I had trouble with this however finally I am very happy to report that Owen Reed accepted the honour after an incredible midfield performance.

Notables – Max Adams 1st half electric determination / Ar-vinny-oh! (Arvin – dogged) Owens tackle (Boom – ouch) Francis – kicking placement / BUT REALLY THIS WAS A DAY WHEN EVERYONE PERFORMED!

Song Bob Marley & The Wailers - Rastaman Live Up! Enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxFmMtUYLqw