Two-Three or not Two-Three, that is the question

According to the Bard, “the better part of valour is discretion” but it is also true that he wrote “this above all; to thine own self be true” so it is with these seemingly consistent, but yet conflicting, instructions that I pen the key points from Saturday’s encounter with the Bard’s Boys.

In some respects “true it is that we have seen better days” although that we came so close to a draw (or even victory) was in no small part thanks to a brace from Rushy, the first to put us ahead midway through the first half. The second was to halve the deficit with ten minutes to go, after a fortuitous period for Stratford in which they successfully pitched for all positions on the podium for this season’s lucky goals competition. When asked to summarise the impact of our talisman forward on the game, Dave said afterwards “(he scored a) Double, double (causing) toil and trouble”.

On another day, our approach would have yielded three points thanks to the cohesion in our defence, the work rate in our midfield and our endeavour up front. Indeed, on many occasions in both halves, the Stratford CB was heard to cry out from their 23, “Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand? The answer was invariably no, it was usually Keith’s or Rushy’s flashing blade cutting through the rain and Stratford backs, looking to pierce the defence at every available opportunity. There were many positives to take back up the M40 as we reflected on what could have been, two more marathons run by Masters Maidment & Smith, the noticeable relief from the home team as the final whistle was blown, and in the acknowledgement that “the robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief”.

Arguably our greatest opponent on the day wasn’t the newly-laid and partly-flooded pitch, or the youthful opposition, it was that inner challenge of self-confidence. At times it marked our play so clearly that Lady Pat was heard to shout “Out damned spot! Out I say!” So right was she, as “Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt"

Homo meritus - Andy Rush
Custos numerus duo - Callum John
Vene, vidi, dignitus vici - Mighty Fours (tota die)

Post Script

“The miserable have no other medicine but only hope” but for the Mighty Fours we have an immediate opportunity to get back on the points trail when Sutton come to the Sils next Saturday. Bring it on