COWHC Mens 3s vs. NPL Bulldogs - 05th Dec 2015

As I sit here in my chair, making a paper plane out of lists of song titles, I wonder if I shouldn't change the "COWHC Mens 3s" to "3rd Battalion COWHC". It could be said we're in the army now - well drilled, well(ish) equipped (stick tape, spare shin pads and tour jacket with detachable sleeves dependant), and full of fight.

I'm a bit late with this report, but as I write it's all coming back to me now.

I'd like to say we started this game like a bat out of hell, but as with last week we needed to show patience to keep us up where we belong. We can definitely say we don't stop believin' as a tough, well fought first half meant despite creating several chance, including an early shot from yours truly (Adam, I can hear you now saying we don't need another hero run, but I just keep going down, down that flank...).

Our reward almost came from a short corner that cannoned off the post. But from the resulting long corner the ball was deflected into the NPL net by one of their players.

That was the only thing we had to show from a positive first half, and we knew the opposition wouldn't roll over, lay down and melt away like ice in the sun. We needed to make sure there was no wind of change and a slight midfield reshuffle and a high press began to reap rewards.

The crucial next goal came almost from nothing. Every rose has its thorn in the side of the opposition, and ours tends to be Corny - through half time you could feel him thinking "I want to break free". He got into the danger zone, the ball sat up very nicely and he cracked a rocket-like shot into the goal.

It was still far from one way traffic, although it probably would have been against all odds for NPL to come back as we continued to drive forward. Goal 3 came from a long corner, I'd been holding out for a hero run (just call me the wanderer!) and got my chance when Mike laid the ball square to the right. My cross somehow evaded everyone and made its way to AJ on the left side of the D. He controlled the ball, and played it back to Corny who was somehow alone, a bit of a hazard for any opposition that, and he finished with aplomb.

Nothing's gonna stop us now, we thought, and we were right. Goal 4 came from good work by Dav and, although he couldn't quite finish it off, James was on hand to put the ball into the back of the net.

And number 5 also saw James in the right place at the right time, deflecting a cross/ shot from Mike home.

There was still time for Hutch to get into trouble twice... firstly with a NPL forward who got the eye of the tiger and decided he wanted a fight. The more impressive one was with the umpire who decide Hutch was going to break the rules by bringing a free hit rightfully up to the 16 line.. whatever you want to say about the standard of umpring we've seen in the past, its more than a feeling to say that was one of the wierdest we've experienced!

Still, Hutch's green card was rescinded and we finished with all 11 on the pitch. There was even time for our ringer (also known as captain) to join in for the last 5 minutes. Cleashy, we've been missing you!

It coule be said there is a wind of change blowing through this side and I can't fight this feeling... I think this is the best 3s side for a long while. I hope that by the end of the season we'll be able to say we are the champions, but there's still a long way to go before the final countdown.

POM went to John G for being solid in defence and even bursting into attack occasionally, DOD had to go to Mr Green Card himself!

And can I just give special mention to Qaz in the bar that evening for allowing me to get in one more title thanks to his magnificent beard that looks like black velvet!