A strong first half (of the first half) between two even, half press teams with great half-backs. Its going great, fast transfers round the back and good middle and center connections.

By the second half of the first half and a few miraculous goals later that we don't mention, the half time whistle is blown.

The talk was brutully honest and with a strong focus on being strong. Very strong advice. Very strong...

Our heroic captain, leading by example and true to his word, is first to get carded. Just followed by Gando, who for the first time, is beaten!

The team is now focused, transfers are smooth, can we come back...?

Spectacularly not quite.

After an even more grim team talk and even grimmer rain, Ali leaves us with the uplifting and brave words "we weren't terrible". The team departs and our glorious half-back (who was unjustly given mon) spends the next hour doing his best to cycle in the right direction. Not his finest moment (cycle should take 15 minutes). But at least he left it all (and his water bottle)on the pitch.