Hot day, tough opposition, disappointing we didn't get something from the game.

Team; Mark Adams, Dave Leigh, Pete Brown, Chris Riley, Alex Knott, Chris Ffinch, Freddy Dehombreux, Andy Pugh, George Boyadjiev, Ally Currie, Kenny Francey (c)

Subs; Jez Bentham, Tony Williamson, Steve Mazurkiewicz

Delegue; Hughie Gallagher

Hot day, tough opposition, disappointing we didn't get something from the game. They may have a stupid name but String Penelope are a very strong side full of players who are all very comfortable on the ball. We hardly got a kick in the first 10 minutes as they moved the ball around on a deceptively good looking pitch. Gradually we began to get into the game and restricting their possession with tight marking and by constantly hassling them.

The game took on a pattern that held for the whole game. Both defenses were very strong ; Mark was his usual confident self dealing with any balls that did make it through ; our makeshift central defense of Pete and Chris R were breaking up their attacks, Dave and Alex were holding the line well. In midfield we were pushed back more than we wanted with Andy and Freddy being kept very busy and George and Chris F restricted more in our half. Up front, passes to Ally (making his 100th appearance for vets 2) and Kenny were more through balls to chase rather than crosses. The hard surface didn't help making the ball move very quickly and bouncing awkwardly.

As the game progressed it was more and more likely that a lucky/unlucky break would be decisive and so it proved. We failed to clear our lines for once, ball ricocheted off one of their players and ball fell to an unmarked forward for an easy tap in. Our best chances in the first half were a strong drive from Andy on edge of the box which was deflected wide and a header which went wide from Ally.

Half time subs were Jez (making his debut for Vets 2 and so completing the set of playing for all 6 teams in the club) and Tony for Chris R and Dave. Second half was much the same as the first with no clear chances created for either side. We upped our efforts to equalise with Jez giving us more attacking options but our hard work just wasn't enough. Steve came on for Alex and we had the unusual sight of Mazza overlapping.

Positives for us were our hard work and team spirit (yes, coming to training does make a big difference !) -this team would probably have easily beaten us last year. Improvements we should make are moving into space when we have possession to make the easy pass, and better link-up between forwards and midfield. Easy to say !!

MoM was Andy for a very hardworking shift in midfield.