The Reserves returned to action following the mid-season break. Off the field, a home game and the associated gate and catering monies were vital to shore-up the Club’s finances. This boost to the finances was imperative to avoid further embarrassment in the press, if the wages again went unpaid, and of course to avoid a transfer embargo on the Club during the January Window. Worryingly, however, Al Fahtie was still absent. According to a Club statement, he was suffering with a virulent strain of flu, apparently more serious than bird or swine flu. It was later diagnosed as full-blown ‘man’ flu!

On the pitch, Manager Paddy Van Ancarrepairs resisted the temptation to bring in some first team players, following their late call off, but was boosted by the returning Walkley (or Davina Ginger as he was nicknamed by YTS since Matt thought his new ‘Barnet’ resembled David Ginola’s), Big Ben and Nasa Hinwood for the visit of Great Chishill. The latter’s introduction at right back allowing Pistol to move forward into midfield, with AJ rested joining new signing Ed (previously known to us on the East Bank as ‘that dirty b. from Comberton’) on the bench.  The start resembled a pre-season game where the home side struggled to find a rhythm and a pattern. The visitors, perhaps boosted from their training at altitude, in the Royston hills, started more quickly, winning the majority of challenges and in general looking more urgent. Shouey arrived ten minutes into the match, he was questioned immediately about his late arrival, when some wag quipped ‘that he was probably just putting in his usual 80 minute shift’! He was much happier on spotting his old mate Nasa and was quickly into his stride offering his friend some ‘advice’! Just after this, the home side squandered possession near their box, the visitors then won a 50-50 challenge on the edge of the box and the striker maintained his composure to lift the ball over the advancing and diving Ant in the home goal. The home side were soon back on level terms when  Hesser fed Dan Golder on the left and his shot was intercepted by PJ who fed Hesser as he continued his run into the box. Hesser shrugged off the challenge of the last defender before confusing the keeper, who was probably expecting a shot to either corner, by passing the ball back to him. The unfortunate stopper missed the ball and it trickled into the back of the net. Another move down the left involving Davina and Dan saw Hesser lift his shot over the bar and into the tennis court. The visitors were restricted to counter- attacks on the break. Although no clear chances were created Big Ant was forced to make a good save down to his right adjacent to his right-hand post. The home side went in front from a flowing move, from unpromising origins, as Nasa passed back to Ant and the big fella scuffed his clearance. However, Ansell controlled the ball and passed it back to veteran Marco Turnero who passed the ball down the outside left channel to Davina. The winger turned his fullback inside out before cutting into the box to curl a right foot shot into the bottom right corner (a goal worthy of that other long lank haired winger). The home side then dominated and went close again when Hesser fed Pistol, who’s delicious first time ball with the outside of his right foot found Davina. He again beat his full back with ease, this time on the outside, before delivering a superb far post cross that the opposition just scrambled away. Ansell then went close with a shot from distance that dipped just in front on the keeper; however, the stopper saved the shot comfortably. Following a breakdown in play near the edge of the Chishall box, PJ floated a superb cross to the back stick where Pistol narrowly failed to convert. Another opportunity was snuffed out as Golder attempted to get a shot away following another good move on the left involving Hesser, PJ and Davina. The half ended as the visitors hit back and the home side ran out of steam and lost a bit of composure. They were indebted to a couple of timely challenges in the box from Captain Ansell. The visitors went close when they gained a free kick wide on the right when the home side committed a needless foul after failing to clear their lines. The dangerously in swinging kick was heading for the left corner, when Ant at full stretch just managed to tip the ball against the post and away for a corner.

Half – time – 2 v 1 – Van Cart still in shock, following Liverpool’s lucky draw at Stoke, very kindly purchased the tea. Most of those present took no pleasure in Liverpool’s current plight and most agreed that Rafa was still the right man for the job.

The home side started the second half well and would continue to dominate possession and chances in the second period despite the occasional dangerous break from Chishill.  There was however, a switch in emphasis, perhaps playing to the crowd on the East bank, as much of the early work was down the right where Arge, largely anonymous in the first period, was influential. A couple of good moves down the right involving Nasa, Arge, PJ and Dan had been cleared before PJ chased a long ball down the right channel. The advancing keeper saved PJ’s first effort before appearing to pull down the attacker in the box. The referee blew but only gave a corner. The home side almost scoring when Ansell’s far post header was saved on the line. The visitors hit back when the home side over-stretched themselves and the visitors number seven burst through the middle of the home defence but fortunately hit his shot just wide of the right post. The visitors then forced Ant into a good save down to his right as the number nine ran at the defence and hit a goal-bound shot from the edge. Van Ancarrepairs freshened things up and rested the tiring Nasa and PJ. The home side then went close with a good move involving Arge, Pistol and Dan. Skipper Ansell almost set up a couple of chances following a powerful run down the wing and then from a deep free kick that Ed almost converted at the far post. Nerves were settled when Davina again beat his fullback and floated an excellent cross towards (the now loan striker) Dan however the ball eluded both him and the defender. Arge arrived late at the far post to connect with a sweetly struck side foot into the centre of the net. AJ then found Dan on the edge of the box, he swivelled and avoided the last defender to free Arge, and however, his shot went wide. Another good move found Arge in acres on the right, he ran powerfully towards the box as the defence continued to back off and held his nerve (and breath) as he steered the ball past the keeper and into the bottom left corner. The home side then nearly iced the cake when some good passing moves involving Pistol, Ansell, AJ, Ed and Dan again gave Arge a couple of glorious opportunities to complete his hat-trick. However, he muffed his lines and the visitors escaped, in truth, 6-1 would have been harsh despite some excellent football from the home side.

Supporters MoM – A clear winner with Dan Golder, impressing the watching first team Managers and Chief Scout (Enricho), leading the line with a maturity beyond his years. Arge's second half performance was also impressive, with an end product to his undoubted talent.

The ref despite his gloves also had a good game!

The return of Nasa, Big Ben and the extremely useful addition of Ed (whose combativeness, experience and good football brain will undoubtedly strengthen the midfield) and with Oli, Tubes, Andy K, Simon, Josh and Henry all waiting in the wings the signs are good for the rest of the season. However, this perversely makes Paddy’s job even harder as it gives him more options to think about, and more cover for each position. So, it is important that all the player’s realise that it is a long season, particularly given the winter break, and that to be successful we need a big squad and that changes will be necessary from time to time just to keep things fresh (even when results have gone our way). It is therefore important that as a player, you are regularly available, and that if you are unfortunate to be rested then be patient and take your chance when it arrives. Most importantly, if you are unhappy or do not understand the decision then talk to Paddy. You won’t always agree but perhaps you may gain an understanding of Paddy’s point of view / problems/ opportunities!