COWHC Men's 3s vs Teddington Oaks - 26th Jan 2019

Morning smells, some people like coffee. Some people like napalm.

For Indy it was regret, sambuca, and last night's kebab that he found himself cuddled up to.

Croydon hosted Teddington who were out for vengeance after we closely beat a Teddington team for the first time in many many seasons. With this in mind and an over abundance of players available across the club meant the 3s had a team that would look more at home in
Surrey Div 3 than SOHL Div 1.

The first half was a tightly fought battle, with Croydon having the better chances but unable to convert. Teddingtons defence also held strong with some wiser heads at the back holding things together and getting a few good last ditch picks. Teddington, who had brought along their
medical midfield duo whom has caused us misery and grief in previous years, were inflicting it again on their attacks.

The game was truly back and forth, Teddington putting everything through the middle duo, causing Croydon to drop deeper and putting us on the back foot, which made us drift deeper and cause us more problems. A vicious cycle and not a good situation. Thankfully there were no
real scares but some tense prolonged periods of hard defending required. In return Croydon were probing Teddington's D but couldn’t make the final touch count that would help ease the pressure and take some wind out of Teddington.

The deadlock was finally broken 30 minutes into the game, with a brief glimpse of what was to come. Some quick 1-2 triangle pass move down the right between James Edwards, Dav and Charlie meant we scythed through Teddington like a hot knife through butter. Dav, running the back line, slipped the ball through to Indy, ever perched (anchored, still dazed from last night) in front of goal, who took his chance.

The shot will go down in history, from a fantastic movement, a great final pass pass, the shot deflection miss hit wrong footed the keeper and inexorably trickled and bobbled for several seconds over the 2 yards to finally cross the line at the back post.

“That was the s***est goal I have ever scored” proclaimed Indy as he rotated off shortly after, followed by the words - “dP I’m sorry I am still a little drunk from last night, look what I did to my finger!”.

Half time blew and Croydon regrouped, the tactical geniusness of dP went into overtime and the plan was explained to the team. Jaideep finished the brief interlude with a rallying call to get everyone to stop coasting along and shift up the remaining gears!

“I love the smell of Napalm in the morning” but in this case it wasn't until 12 noon when the M3s decided to carpet bomb Teddingtons hopes and goal to scorched smithereens.

We executed our plan perfectly, the hockey that ensued was a delight to watch. Jenks, our ever present sideline cheerleader changing his first half tune of frustration and annoyance to one of delight. Something that has become somewhat of an unwanted trademark of the 3s this season.

Play moved seamlessly across the pitch, lovely triangle passing and a total shredding of Teddington's midfield and defence left them shell shocked. They were unable to regain composure or string more than 3 passes together.

Goals rained in from Jay (2), Indy (getting his 2nd), Dav, and JD getting his now regular goal from a short corner. It could have been many more if not for the valiant efforts of Teddingtons keeper and centre defenders.

PoM went to a deserving Dav for his 3s assists and goal.
Honourable mentions to: James Edwards, Jay P, Monty, Charlie, Neil, Mulley, Ben Burke

DoD - you would have thought have gone to the drunk and late Indy, but somehow went to the tactical master dP, not for anything on pitch, but for supporting his wife on Thursday instead of going to training - f**kers.