Jolly Miller Vs Fleece 'B'

Despite the pre match talk of not having first-teamers playing in the reserves Fleece 'B' fielded 2 - Ben 'Benji' Inman and 'Wanner'. Thus pushing yours truly off the subs bench. Extra insult came in the request to surrender my kit for another player who then nearly had me going home crying by refusing it. Boo-fucking-hoo (cheers Dave).
lt makes you realise what being part of a team is about. Of course l get pissed off from never getting a game (a familiar grumble from many an also ran), but then who doesn't? At the end of the day it's about having the best teams possible for the game and winning, any personal motivations channeled into the team.

Although most played well throughout, Ben lnman was the undoubted star of the show in the first half - making quick breaks and carrying the ball through when it just didn't look like he ought to, latching on to some excellent route one supply and bagging four first-half goals. His first on 7 minutes and others soon after (yeah, l can do that . . ). Also ran grumblings forgotten and soon turning to cheers.
Andy Williams played his usual firm but fair game - making plenty of openings, generally ruffling up the opposition, bagging a couple of goals and also proving handy in the midfield 50-50.
Ash MacGhee showed prowess in the middle of the park giving good distribution and link up play and in the latter stages of the game plugging in a well taken solo effort; the reasonable sized crowd of non-playing first teamers egging him on in anticipation.
And Tony Simpson out of his usual defensive role playing well on the flank stopping many an attack and well supporting the front runners.

In truth the squad all played well and despite the odd hiccup here and there Fleece were more together than of late. Word on the sidelines and in prematch talk was of cutting out the gobshiting - at each other and anyone else in earshot. Oft at full volume, this covers quite an area. The message was affirmed when Millers had a player sent off for continuous gobbing off over the Refs ability to run the game (and the status of his parentage).
We're getting there. Sure, some FA report apparently has the team up for a mauling over previous misconduct, but there has been a growing recognition within the team to guide their energies into the game. l'd say it's often a cover for our own shortcomings to lash out at others - and something every touchline critic ought to understand.

As for an overall team spirit there is still some room to manoeuvre. A warm afternoon meant that the players were drinking plenty and come half time drinks bottles were almost empty. No one wanting to be the mug that goes to fill up (hey, l was running touch) and sheepishly looking elsewhere when hot and flustered players vented their anger.