Many Heads Make Light Work

First match of the second half of the season. We start 2008 with high hopes in the league, and a cup run still intact. The prospects look bright, but Sandra's first wish will be for the team not to turn up with a holiday hangover.

Mowsbury Park, 09:40: there is a stand-off in the car park, as no-one wants to be first out of the car into the frosty morning. However, the manager's arrival breaks the deadlock, and it's not too cold. In fact, by the time kick-off came around it was a beautiful sunny day for football.

At one stage, it looked like we could be checking the rule-book for the regulations on a no-show, but in due course the Bushmead team appeared. As often is the case, they had made the long walk from the wrong car-park. A little of home advantage there !

A full turnout for us, except for Sam H (tonsillitis). However, the team had an unfamiliar look as we played in a borrowed red strip. Here's something not everyone (or, in fact, hardly anyone) knows: the home team must change strip in case of a colour clash.

OK. Who's going to be first to score in 2008 ? It is not long before we have an answer: Fred takes the honour, but not before literally 3 boots and 3 heads have a go at getting the ball across the opposition line. Still, all's well that ends well: 1-0 to Brickhill inside 2 minutes.

In the first half, it looked as though we ought to easily double the lead, but that second goal was elusive until nearly 25minutes when Greg decided to take the direct approach: a lovely strike from the edge of the box, finding a ball's width between the post and the keeper's outstretched hand.

A fine way to build in a margin of safety before half time. 2-0 the score at the break.

The rather slow tempo of the first half was upped a little in the second period, and Brickhill began to relish the opportunity to build a good lead. There were plenty fireworks in the box, and a number of near misses.

But there were, also, plenty of actual goals: captain Ewan added a third with a confident solo run to goal. Dominic then made it 4-0, just 3 minutes later, in a move that Fred initiated.

Brickhill were now camped in Bushmead territory, and Elijah sent in a lovely ball from a free-kick near the touchline. It seemed someone would get on the end of it. No one did. But, neither did the goalkeeper, and the ball ended up in the net. No-one else claimed it, so it's Elijah's goal.

Luke poached a sixth (Dominic having set it up), and with 3 minutes to go, Elijah's speculative ball into the box made it all the way as the Bushmead goalkeeper fumbled although, by now, the result was not in doubt.

Bushmead, though, looked like they wanted a consolation and mounted a few attacks of their own and put us to the test several times, as well as firing in some long-range free-kicks. However, the defence held firm - Sam C making some key clearances.

This is just the result we wanted: a solid victory, a clean sheet and everyone getting a run-out. The goal difference may well matter later in the season.

BRICKHILL 7 - 0 BUSHMEAD
Fred (2min), Greg (25), Ewan (34), Dominic (37), Elijah (40, 57), Luke (51)