Solo Stephen Strike Sole Solace

Another day, another gathering of the pensioner brigade. It was a strong looking bunch who gathered at the Camp New Stephen Tabb Pyramid Bowl on Holocaust Memorial Day. This time, it was the turn of Olton to be our opponents, and the local rivalry brought a hint of niggle which is always good to see - more of this later.
It was good to see an attack minded team arrive - as Olton are as slippery as an Eel in Vaseline. Cap'n Gary gave the team talk over to Tog 14 and he suggested we keep hold of the ball and pass it (Really? No s**t Sherlock - Ed). However, we played against a side who were excellent at getting behind people and getting the drop on them. The first 10 minutes was like watching the Artful Dodger on work experience. The Olton forwards were tricky, fast and not averse to a bit of chopping. It needed some excellent work from Christ and the Celtic Warrior to keep them at bay. We did attack well at times - Mr Messy is playing well, and Andre Chuckarone was also causing problems. However, Sils went behind from a PC that was smashed in after the first shot had been charged down. Bugger said the large crowd.
incidentally the crowd was looking good in a nice beanie and fashionable coat (thanks Gok Wan - Ed). Sils came back well, and with Right Said Fred, Tory Boy and Chakakhan creating chances. However, Olton caught us on the break, and we went 2-0 down just before the interval. The crowd was paralysed with grief!
So Half Time. It was felt we were doing ok. In fact we were a bit like a cheeky nun - playing safe but with chance to open our legs and really give it a go. So were began the second period full of vim.
We were under pressure however again. It was end to end hockey, and an aerial boy caught us napping and Olton went 3-0 up. The floodgates had surely opened. Not so said the scriptwriter. We now played some of the best hockey of the match. Some great chances were made, and the Olton GK was having to work hard. In the end Mr Messy hit home a PC with all the accuracy of Robin Hood aiming at the King's venison in Sherwood Forest just before Magna Carta. 3-1 and the comeback was on. Back came Olton again, and the Sils defence was under as much pressure as Nobby's hairdresser is to create a comb-over. Sils conceded a flick when the Celtic Warrior was adjudged to placed his Falstaffian bulk on the line and stopping the ball. There was a frank exchange of views - that were ignored. Up stepped the Olton forward and his thought processes were scrambled enough by the debate to allow him to scuff his flick. This allowed Simon Pegg to save it (it was great moment in sport - Ed).
The game then stayed locked at 3-1. Despite a second half improvement it was another defeat to the Local Rivals. It was then off to the bar for tea and medals. Man of the Match was adjudged to be the keeper - but he felt that Christ was a more deserving winner. There was still time for a frank exchange of views between HK from Olton and Kazakstan from Sils. All I will say is that Dre's contribution was something that Oscar Wilde would NOT have aspired to. It made for a fitting finale to an enjoyable game. Played hard but fair.
Next week we travel into deepest Arden. Wish us luck.