Vets Road Trip

A good game all round with plenty of goals, some excellent saves on both sides and a few silky skills on display.

We came back strongly from 3-0 down at half time to level at 3-3 thanks to three deflected goals from Andre Tchakhotine (1) and Richard Thurman (2) two o f them assisted powerfully by Andrew Scott. Unfortunately Northampton then capitalised on a period of pressure to grab a couple of quick goals and put the game away. We had the chance for a consolation goal when Nick Danks pounced on a loose ball for his shot to be stopped on the line by a foot. From a crowd of players staring at their feet Warren Gray stepped up to the challenge of taking the Penalty Stroke. An instinctive stick save from the keeper denied him the chance of adding his name to this week's score sheet. In line for the next stroke is Neil Mortimer, "winner stays on" anyone?

The journey home proved to be an adventure in itself. Having already diced with a lorry induced death on the way there Adam Kent proceeded to fight the lorries on Kent Roundabout on the way back. Then the M6 was closed and we detoured through Rugby making a much needed call into McDonalds for burgers and apple pies.

A very sociable bunch with a strong side proved good hosts and promised us a better supper than 6 pints of beer and 8 packets of crisps next season.

AND NOW THE MATCH REPORT FROM OUR ESTEEMED CAPTAIN (worryingly consistent with mine!)

Well after the ebb and flow of getting a team together eventually 13 of us made the road trip via some lovely scenery to a slightly weird venue of Moulton College that seemed to encompass stables(don't ask) and some strange men racing electric cars around a massive indoor track!

Chris'T wondered why he had bothered after the first 20 minutes when he could do nothing right whereas the "newbies" of Dave and Andy seemed to settle in quite well. Eamon also acquitted himself in the pads but by half time we were 3 down due for various reasons, not all of which involved Chris! However for once my stirring half time talk seemed to do the trick and a much more fired up Sils team hit back with 3 well taken deflected goals to level the score. One from Dre and two almost identical from Rich.

At the final whistle there was a mini mutiny when we found out that the oppo had neglected to put on teas. Adam threatened to go straight home (which he normally does during the game if I ask him to sub off:)) but eventually most of us headed back to the local pub where the oppo captain quickly rescued the situation by supplying us with several free beers and packets of crisps. This seemed to lighten the mood and good banter was had in the bar where I think the general opinion was that the fixture was worth the effort and should be repeated next year. Strangely the drive over had induced both cars to talk of a Vets tour, open to suggestions if anyone thinks there may be enough support for same. The drive back seemed to pass quickly despite the roadworks with Kent & Co finding a McDonalds too whilst we entertained ourselves with Danksy music collection which Rich thought was sadly lacking any Paul Weller.

Next week we have another road trip to Banbury on Wednesday 29th. I already have 10 names from the website but if anyone else wants to put their name forward for selection please do so now. We will need an umpire Mark if you can help out this week?

Kind regards

Gary

PS I forgot to mention that we lost! They scored 2 more and their keeper saved a decent flick off Warren but the result seemed almost irrelevant by the time the night had ended.