New season, same result - we win again!

We played one of the relegated sides and won comfortably in the end to start the season as we left off last. The new formation is giving us more possession and greater security at the back as we aren't so deep. Tonight there were chances aplenty especially for me and, despite all three goals, I had something of a 'mare. I'll explain so that Matt can at least let the others know I'm being honest.

There is little doubt thinking back that I could have had 9 goals and certainly should have had 5. There was a missed near post header from a well taken corner, a misjudged chip when a lifted shot at the near post would have done the job, a blocked shot and rebound that cannoned off the bar, a well saved shot and that was all in the first half.

The teams turned round level and things got even worse especially given they were a player down. There was a penalty awarded for a foul against Dave which was well saved by the keeper but as kev rightly said there shouldn't be any chance of saving a penalty on that pitch. When Dave shot and saw the ball come off the post and roll along the line virtually before going out for a goal kick narrowly missed by me running in at the far post, it looked like we could struggle all evening. That raised the real possibility we might lose as they had a couple of decent efforts well saved by Kevin with the scores still level.

However, a short pass from Matt meant I could shoot without thinking too much and that did the trick beating the keeper to his right. Shortly after a well placed long ball from Dom barely touched the ground as I hit it first time and took the keeper by surprise, again beaten low to his right. That should have seen a relaxed end to the game which it was in respect of possession and threats to our goal but there was still time for another penalty miss, this time given for handball and sidefooted to the keeper's left but with the same comfortable save outcome. Dave's stint as penalty taker came quickly to the end with Dougie earmarked for the next one.

Total humiliation came with minutes to go as Matt and Dom combined to set up a great chance which was brilliantly cleared by me from under the bar. How I managed to miss with the ball inches from the goal is a feat of skill which is beyond the ability of many players. Limply hanging out my left foot, I made contact with the ball at the top of the foot and saw it sail handsomely high over the goal. A shame following a fantastic move.

The end came with a cross from Dom which arrived to me in front of goal on my right foot and managed to make firm contact with the ball for an easy tap in which looked difficult compared to the other chance. Luckily hardly anyone mentioned the penalties or that miss in the pub afterwards and they were all sympathetic and understanding as you might imagine they would be.

It isn't often you score three and play that badly at least in terms of putting chances away. Oh the shame!

At least we've got a start and that means 5 wins in a row I think, maybe 6. There are 12 teams in the division now and following the win talk soon turned to the predicament of what to do if we are well placed near the end and face promotion! I don't think we have to worry about that too much.

Team

KEV, DOM, DOM, MATT, SIMON, DAVE, IAIN (3)

Must mentio another clean sheet for Kev although I think Matt got it right when he said he wasn't as bad as out on the pitch rather than being good in goal.