Oxhey A 2 vs 7 Potten End

I asked before the game for a return on investment. I have poured heart and soul into Potten End over the years. It has been my great pleasure and privilege to have done so. In return I have asked nothing. I an now calling in the debt: I WANT A POT THIS YEAR.

Saturday we managed to put 3 points on the board, one foot on the first rung of the league ladder, and very pleasing it was too! We had a full squad and maxed out the bench. The 11 that started knew the pressure that 5 subs put upon them, and performed admirably. We started at a very decent pace, and passed and communicated beautifully, with Ricky as the focal point of our passing rhythm. The Machine and D up top were frankly causing havoc, had this been a boxing contest the ref may have been considering a stoppage! That said the ref! My days what a first class bag of sh…… anyhow he departed with blisters… shame.

0-1 to Potten came courtesy of a sublime turn and shot from our undercover giraffe. What a goal, already a marker down for goal of the season. A second followed soon after with Tommy brutalising their midfield with his new running power, Diego providing assists and chances aplenty. Somehow we managed to concede against the run, but to be fair if the guy was one year offside he was five. Tom again reset the balance and 1-3 looked like it might become and avalanche, especially as Alkie drew a foul and converted the resulting kick with a post kissing beauty. 1-4 and half time.

We struggled a bit at the restart, the hill and our lead perhaps throwing us a bit. However Jonny stepped up to draw a performance from a few seasons ago and established himself as the Man of the Match. A goal and then an assist bender (we all know how he loves a bender), the pick of which was a ball through to Ben who had only momentarily been on the pitch. Keiran completed the rout after the Night Hawk had extended a wing to unluckily concede a penalty late on.

All in all a near perfect start to the campaign. We were everything I asked for before the game: Communicative, engaged, determined, focused, together, and held resolutely to the 4-4-1-1 shape and tracking. Thank you, thank you all.

Finally a quick work for Mark Mannell who goes in for his ankle op on Friday. We wish you all the best buddy, and on Saturdays commanding performance, you will be missed. Get well soon.

Keep it Rotten.