Thirty Plus find mid table mediocrity

Despite the loss of our free scoring defender several years ago, now ensconced in the pleasures of South Wales, Thirty Plus have managed to turn back the clock and find victory in the past two games. Unfortunately a groin strain (!) meant I missed the first, a 2 - 0 win with an absolute screamer from Kev (his words but confirmed by others) and a neat finish from Matt C with his first of the season.

Monday's win puts us firmly in the mid table region, comfortably off both bottom and top. The new formation meant Hen in goal, Dougie and Dom in defence, Matt C, myself and Dave in the middle and Kev the lone striker up front. Two minutes in and we'd not had much possession but thereafter the result was never in doubt. A neat interchange of passes meant Kev had a clear opportunity which smashed against the post but the rebound fell to the onrushing Dave who buried the chance with alacrity. The same partnership managed to bundle in a second with some good football being dispayed throughout the team.

Midway through the second half a rare chance for the opposition was taken, putting some pressure back into the game. However, within seconds the lead was restored following good work down the left and an artful finish from Kev.

The formation worked for the evening at least, although the quality of the other side had something to do with that perhaps. We shall see next week.


In addition, I played in the annual Year 11 versus staff game after school in scorching heat. With the second half extended to 65 minutes in length, the staff managed to avoid defeat with a penalty leaving honours even at 4 goals apiece. We have always won in the past but a draw was a good result against a younger, more skillful side who wanted to win very much.

As ever there are memroies to the game played on the astro turf, essentially in the form of multiple abrasions which lose none of their stinging qualities for many a week.