Our first premier league point

It was a terrific team effort which brought us our first point after three defeats in the top league. With the big fella resting his back and Rich returning to goal, it was a new look side which took to the field in bitterly cold conditions but at least without the rain which has plagued us recently.

Sitting at the back Dom and Matt kept a tight hold on things ably supported by Phil who managed to fire off a couple of decent strikes during the game but sadly just off target. Kev kept it vocal in the centre of the pitch alongside three, possibly four, pint Pete. Up front new Matt and myself ploughed the channels looking to pick up space as we battled fairly evenly at the outset.

The first clear chance fell to new Matt but the shot was skied spectacularly as he was released on the left of the area. It wasn't long before we did take the lead with a neat through ball from Phil releasing me in the area and a left foot shot found room under the diving keeper to settle in the far corner.

Again it was pretty even stuff as we turned round ahead and there were chances to extend the lead with Kev smashing a great volley goalwards only to see the keeper save low down. Rich was in fine form and made several excellent saves but was eventually beaten when a follow up shot was struck home through a crowded area and into the net.

In the end a draw was probably fair on both teams.

Thanks to Dom for educating me tonight on some elementary quantum physics and the CERN accelerator. Next week he's proving e=mc2. A win should be easy compared to that.

Rainy Sunday

It's been another pretty miserable day in Dorset but I've managed to dodge the rain when walking the dogs. Maria and I made some cakes this morning and she loved licking the icing out the bowl. To be fair though it was one of those straight out the packet cakes which just needs a little water and an egg but it kept her entertained for a while with Alison working on her HLTA forms.

We have a day off tomorrow thanks to twilight INSET meaning we've done the hours already. Christmas shopping appears to be the order of the day but Sparkshop have a chance of a first victory tomorrow night to look forward to as well. Just marking some essays for another teacher as she's snowed under with marking right now.

Maria growing up

Maria has got into dressing up as you will see and is loving painting too. She's looking so grown up now with a pony tail and was happy to paint herself as well as the paper.

Joe's graduation

We had a great day in Coventry on Thursday attending Joe's graduation. It was a very formal occasion and even Joe ended up in the gown and mortar board.

Down but not out

We had the good fortune to play our Monday match in dry conditions last night but that apart not a lot else went right. Our defensive reliance on Kev was shown when, in his absence due to a blister(!), we conceded 5 goals against a side much more on our level than previous games in the top division.

It was a quiet first half in many ways with the 0 - 0 scoreline reflecting few clear cut chances and a balance in the potential outcome of the game. Dave was in goal again and he did pull off one superb stop but we had our chances too. The 2 - 2 - 2 formation was giving the opposition something to think about but that all changed quickly after the restart. An early goal came as a mazy run was followed by a delicate chip over the spread-eagled keeper and more was to follow as Dougie bamboozled himself with a header backwards which enabled the attacker to advance and thrash the ball into the far corner from a tight angle. It was an unfortunate incident and not one where a finger of blame could be pointed but it did look funny!

Not as funny as the third goal which we gave away from a cross which struck Pete as he swung a hefty right foot to clear a corner. He missed the ball which connected with his standing leg and bounced into the goal.

A glimmer of hope came from a throw from Matt C which was controlled and allowed me to turn in the area. The challenge was coming in and years of experience came to the fore as I fell heavily to the ground gaining a penalty (and it was a penalty desipte the enhanced fall). A shot to the usual keeper's right hand corner made it 3 - 1 but another goal followed soon to the other team.

We looked to be in with a chance again when a long throw reared up and struck new Matt as he charged across the area. The deflection caught the keeper out and saw him sprawling to his left but unable to stop the ball.

Sadly the scoring against us continued and we ended up down by 5 goals to 2.

There is always next week may become a common phrase on this site over the next weeks.

Rossgarth scrape a win

Glen's team played despite the downpours over the weekend and found themselves ahead early as they took on the bottom team with a goal difference of -35 after 5 games! It looked like a question of how many but it was a truly frustrating game with little good football played although Rossgarth his the frame of the goal 5 times during the match.

A one nil win helps keep the team in contention for a top finish but it was a poor performance from too many.

Struggles at the top

Sparkshop returned to top league action on Monday with another hard fought game against a good side with few discernible weaknesses. The team was a little under-strength with Rich now the proud father of a new baby, for which we pass on the team's congratulations, and absent for the game. However, Dave C was an able deputy and was not at fault throughout the game.

We were under pressure for long periods but the defence coped manfully despite conceding fairly early on. It was just 1 - 0 at half time with all to play for but we were creating few chances and seemed to be on the verge of losing a second too often for comfort. At the same time clear cut chances were rare for either team and it is credit to keeper and defence that despite 3 games and 3 defeats, we've never been overwhelmed.

At two down a good cross from Kev found me at the far post and I managed to sneak ahead of the defender to head into the corner giving us the prospect of a sneaky draw but instead a stunning strike from out wide on the right settled the game 3 - 1.