So after all the hype and chat, it was game time.  The Wicked Wych was back on his former hunting ground, with his fellow sorcerers clad in their red cloaks.  McCulloch seemed to be wanting to join them (after achieving eligible status following his 40^th birthday 2 weeks previous), when turning up in a dashing scarlet T shirt. However, South had cast a few pre-match spells of their own, with Wizard Williams throwing in a false eleven in Wych’s direction as part of the another excuse for procrastination at work banter pre-match email repartee. 

At the start of the game Jim Hockley (one letter off being a perfect name for a hockey player) stressed the need to move the ball around quickly to tire out our more experienced opposition.  This was paid heed to, with Jack (10 years off being a vet) firstly finishing off a great move with a quick shot under the keeper, followed by the same guy tearing a hole through their defence before putting a ball across the D on a plate for the skipper to sweep in at the far post.

South were continuing to cause trouble, with Craig Spencer, Graham McCulloch and the pumped Chris Pearson snapping at the heels of the Wych and the other defenders, not giving them a moment’s notice.  At the other end, Rosselli and Troll were having fine games, with good cover in front from Aston, Rimmer, and South’s own Vet, Granddad Graveling.  Behind them all, Parker pulled out some fantastic saves when called upon, particularly from short corners.

Half time came and went, with the message being to keep our foot on the gas and theirs might run out. To be honest the Vets started the second half the stronger, with the running of Rosselli and the saves of Parker rebuffing their short corners.

Then midway through the half South got a third. To be honest I can’t remember it, but it was scored by Craig, so let’s face it, it was probably better than average.  Mark added a fourth with a neat finish capping off a fine passing move from our resident Spanish midfielder, Xabi Alonso. There was even time for Aston to go on a small, but potentially deadly, foray into the opposition D, which was firmly halted by a George-reverse-tackle-special just as he was about to take a shot, much to the delight of Williams and McCulloch! 

All in all a very solid performance from front to back against a team who look like they belong in this league having been promoted last year.  At the time of writing league tables haven’t gone out, so I can only presume we’re top.  Well done all.