If You Can't Beat Them ......

Our esteemed match report writer gets a week off this week (and his photo in the frame), because, err, we didn't actually have a game, and so it falls to me to fill in the blanks between matches.

And so it comes to pass that the Mighty 4s enter November as they started October, that is to say top of the league. However, not in the manner in which they hoped, as Old Halesonians were forced to concede the game due to availability problems.

Those at the Sils this afternoon would not have immediately known that the game had been cancelled, as almost all of the team's Defence, Midfield and Attack could be found (almost) pitch side by 3.50, a full ten minutes before the game had been due to start. The difference however, was that the team had pints in their hand, and not sticks. Well, almost all of the team. Because 5 minutes after 4pm, as all were fixed on the early stages of the Rugby World Cup Final, Matt Lyons entered the bar, late and a little confused. He was soon to get his bearings back though as he realised his mistake. He stood there - kit on,stick in hand, face reddening - and realised that he had everything, and yet nothing, in common with his teammates. After a moment's reflection, he finally ushered the words that his Captain had longed to hear for weeks ."I'm going to check my emails and the website from now on."

So, 3 points, 3 goals to add to our goal difference, and a clean sheet for the Mighty 4s, but all were agreed that it would have been better to have played, for so many reasons. Here are three of them:

1. "Aylin for Aylin" - after Saturdays spent in Falmouth (3rd Oct), Bournemouth (10th) & Portsmouth (17th), Steve Aylin had been hoping to spend 31st in "Goalmouth". However, the cancellation of today's game meant that the Mighty 4s must wait another week before Steve gets to put a full shift in for the Sils on a Saturday.

2. "Goal-lash" (forgive the Halloween pun) - despite the enforced absence of Andy Rush, confidence was high that the team could have churned out a result against OH.

3. "Bates Mates" - it was quite disorienting to spend the afternoon with Shaun, when he was completely calm and relaxed. Those who were confused by his behaviour, did not realise that this was because he had already spent a day out with the 2nd XI, and fused his hairdryer in the halftime rain at Telford. Needless to say that the 2s won the 2nd half, and brought a point back to the Sils.

So, too long without a game means that fatness could replace fitness. If the Sils are to maintain their impressive form they will need to buckle down and train this week.