Old Aldenhamians - League (H)

The New Year started with this relegation clash on a cold damp day on a quickly thawing out pitch which wasn't exactly conducive to a skillful passing game. Despite a few notable omisiions a good squad assembled for this must win match in Tolworth.

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With hindsight we may have chosen to play the long ball out of defence rather than trying to pass our way out of trouble on an incredibly bobbly pitch which often ended up adding more pressure on ourselves than was necessary. This pressure finally told after about 15 minutes when the oppo scored their first after a mistake in midfield. Jamie C soon had to leave the pitch with a slight hammy strain, and after Aldenham scored their second George B aggrevated his knee ligaments again so the bench was emptied. Going in at half-time three down was a tad unfair although Aldenham were clearly the better side and their position in the league a mystery on this form.

The second half was pretty similar to the first, although the pitch had become a little more compliant as it thawed out, but again, a couple of 'handling errors' when maybe a good old fashioned hoof might have been more effective, we found ourselves five down! Once again, you certainly couldn't fault the effort and determination, and we were definitely as good as them in the second period and when Tom H struck a worldy from outside the box it was no more than we deserved, on another day we could have had a few more but not to be, 1-5 the result. A big shout out to George who ran after numerous lost causes up front on his own, and the 'old lads' Ryan and Taylor who obviously got new batteries for christmas as their work rate was off the scale.