...with a few early texts of “Will I need strong gel for my hair” from Peter, the sun started to shine at kick off. The new kit had arrived and we were hoping for our first win of the season.

With Dec making his debut in between the sticks, Hannah moved to LB, Spud started his first game at RB, Adam and Peter formed the third centre half partnership of the season. Al on the left mid with Franny on the right, with Kev and Peaky Blinders (PB) Kempster in the middle, with the pace of Richie upfront and Deano. With the lads starting to know each other you could see the difference, with less shouts of “pass it to me Dave, Ste , John sorry what’s your name?” And that was just in the changing rooms.

A great early start seen some lovely football from FCFC at times in the new kit it was like watching a tangerine Brazil, a couple of early shots from Richie and Deano proved promising, then a lovely move created the space for Jeffers to get down the right one on one with the keeper and he slotted lovely. 0 -1 to the FCFC! We controlled the game for the next 10 minutes and looked likely to get the second goal, but then a goal kick led to a header not challenged in the middle of the park and caught the defence flat footed and their cockney striker (every team needs a cockerknee) slotted calmly past Dec 1-1!

The team regrouped well and continued to play some lovely football particularly Kev and PB who controlled the middle of the park much to the annoyance of some of the Hightown players which resulted in the odd handbags pushing and shoving and shouts of my dad could have your dad!

Not long after the equaliser some pressure created a corner and of the resulting corner Richie was left in the six yard box between defender and goal keeper to finish, giving him 3 in 2 games, 1 -2.

Dec sweeped up well several times and the defence in general looked solid, Adam and Pete clearing most in the air with Robbie and Spud composed, Spud didn’t try and suplex anyone in the whole game which was pleasing.

FCFC began to pressure Hightown and Franster got space down the right again and pulled the trigger but it went wide, Fran screamed for a corner as he was convinced the keeper had saved it but it didn’t look like it, he screamed at the ref (not for the first time)” you don’t know what you’re doing”. From the resulting goal kick the keeper decided to play it out and got mixed up with the defender and the ball popped up for Deano to slot into the empty net. Deano first goal for the FCFC proving the manager can spot a goal scorer.

Totally deserved after the football we played half time 1 -3

The second half started half started like the first ended with some great football, Jay came on for the Nogsy Pele who had to shoot off for the match, Brian replaced Hannah at LB and Gaz replaced Spud at RB. The changes didn’t cause too much disruption and the football was crisp and we looked comfortable. Fran came off for a breather much to his anger, stating hes a winner and you shouldn’t be happy coming off! After a short break he replaced Deano upfront with the message from me to see if he can stake a claim upfront.

Not long after coming back on, Richie once again broke down the left and unselfishly squared it to Fran who finished nicely 1 – 4, the FCFC on for their first win of the season.
With 15 minutes to go there was only going to be one winner, and Super Kev who had controlled the game with PB in the middle took a heavy challenge and had to go off, I decided a cameo role would be in order (wish I hadn’t bothered, as did everyone else).

We lost our composure and shape and as they pushed forward, a ball over the top Dec had rush of blood and ran out to it but it fell to the right hand side of the pitch and Hightowns manager lofted it into the box and into the empty net. 2-4.

Richie continued to cause issues breaking forward but the ref kept calling dubious offside decisions, shout of the match from one Hightowns players “When you’re 40 you will know what offside is”.

FCFC seemed to lose our way and gave the ball away too easy a lob over to the top fell to Gaz who as always was reliable and solid but he decided to do a rabona with his knees and it fell into the middle of the park, it was passed out to the right and the cross fell to the head of the smallest man on the pitch who glided it into the corner. 3 -4.

Panic stations by FCFC to try and retain the lead, Richie dropped back into the midfield but it couldn’t stop the pressure and a pumped ball in the air was falling nicely to Adam “Les Batterby” Rymill but Peter decided his gel was strong enough to head it away and headed it straight to their Cockerknee who fired into the net from outside the box.

4-4, the whistle blew not long after and it was horrible feeling, we had the better chances and should have had all 3 points, but the positives being each game we have got better and better and the first point of the season.

The signs of a good team are starting to show and we are knowing each other strengths and weaknesses, the first win is surely around the corner.

MOTM: PB and Kev were very good but for his first two goals and desire to win Franny “The nark/winner” Jeffers get it this week

Tw@t of the match: No Brainer, myself 4 – 1 up and we threw it away, I offered nothing when I came on, I promise to get fit and prove myself sorry guys, super proud of you all amazing team spirt even after 3 games.

Daz