I smell Winter

The first Friday in December certainly felt like Winter, with players desperate for the added warmth of a bib, even if they are full of holes. With Joe taking a rare sabbatical, I took over team selection for the week and picked the following teams –

• Bibs: me, the Guvnor, Simon Gas, Dan, Boro Dave, Sam
• Non-bibs: Steve A, Alex, Danny, Alan, Gooner Ian, Wing Commander Will

So six-aside, which meant that the chill December air quickly became irrelevant as everyone had to start running around rather more than is customary. The team in colours must have been energised by the absence of the layer of warmth afforded by the bibs, as they ran out 4-3 winners. Alan bagged a hat-trick - two of his goals being real opportunist’s efforts, as he pounced on a clearance that flew across the area and passed it first time into the net; the goal which turned out to be the winner came courtesy of an underhit backpass that he intercepted and finished, despite complaints that he was in the area, (he wasn’t).

At the other end Boro Dave and Dan posed the greatest threat and formed a potent partnership, scoring all three of the bibs’ goals. The opening goal from the bibs was a real peach; a festival of movement and one touch passing saw Boro Dave ping the ball to the bottom left hand corner after receiving a delightful pass from Dan. After the game Simon Gas was full of opprobrium for yours truly, as I apparently mis-controlled a “defence-splitting” pass which neither I nor anyone else could recall. It seemed to be open season on my good self, as the Guvnor also felt moved to mock my efforts on goal, despite originally opining that I had been unlucky to miss with a curling right footed effort. Two pints of lime and soda later he was positively scornful.

Aside from Paul’s mocking derision of my ability to shoot on target, other highlights from the Old Fountain’s Head included Boro Dave’s controversial assertion that the Stone Roses’ Second Coming is a superior record to their legendary eponymous debut. With just two Fridays left to play before Christmas – there are no plans currently to play on Friday 23^rd, although Simon Gas and I did discuss this (I had visions of a Tron-like encounter between the two of us – Simon versus Simon, as it were - with perhaps a turkey apiece in goal (assuming the Guvnor’s available, wink wink) – conversation turned to Christmas parties. Simon Gas has suggested the Bierkeller in Islington, so for those of you available on the 16^th, which out for more news.

Until Friday, Blog-a-Bloke: checking out.