The photos show something of our Christmas Day which started at the civilised time of 7am which is long way from the days when we literally got no sleep at all with the children being so excited waiting for Santa.

Bridie did the cooking this year for the first time and what a great job she did with everything from a green leaf starter with roasted veg, carrot and coriander soup, Christmas dinner itself, Christmas pudding and yule log and cheese and crackers to finish. I struggled walking the dogs afterwards and perhaps wobbled along rather than walked.

'Snow' blow as Sparkshop frozen out

In a first for all of us, we played our latest game in the snow yesterday evening and despite the inclement conditions it was a full squad that arrived bar the big fella at the back and Rich, which meant we had Dave back in goal. He was suitably attired in massive hat and at least four layers of clothing which proved necessary as few actual shots found their way to him during the game.

Sadly it was not a result that did us any favours though as we conceded two goals in a tight game and lost ground to a team below us in the league.

Dom and Matt took the duties at the back with Kev, Phil and Pete in the middle. New Matt and I found the going tough up front against a well organised and physical side who have let in very few goals.

It was a very poor start from us which saw the opposition dominate possession early on and we struggled to adapt to the slippery conditions which meant turning was a nightmare. Going over simply meant sliding along for several yards as I found when off balance and pushed. I skidded along helplessly like a careering snow plough sending the slush out in front of me like the wake from a speeding tanker. It was freezing cold by this time and I was soaked through.

The opening goal came from a very good tight angle shot which found the corner with great accuracy but we'd had a chance ourselves just before with Kev unable to keep his shot down as he bore down on goal (the temptation to state the obvious is over-whelming here but I'll resist). However, the second half was seconds old when we scored an equaliser with a few passes straight from kick off leading to a toe poked shot from me which was kicked out uncertainly by the keeper landing right in front of new Matt who took no time in adjusting his feet like Michael Jackson (when he was alive of course) and slotting home from the edge of the area.

The second half looked likely to be very tight but we conceded again soon after with a free kick unluckily falling kindly for them from a brave block. Once more the finish was very good from a tight angle but it signalled sustained pressure from us. That was more or less the case for the remainder of the game with chances falling to Pete and Phil. Phil's was close in but the ball was arriving at speed and he was only able to move his feet like the now deceased Michael Jackson sending the ball narrowly wide.

We pressed again and again but produced few clear chances until Gary blew up for the end of the game and the Christmas break. Time for a few drinks in Wimborne tonight.

Pantomime

There was a big group of us setting out to enjoy Snow White at the Pavillions for Bridie's birthday, 11 in total, and we had a great time. It is the first time I've seen a panto and it was much better than I'd expected. Maria certainly was mesmerised by the performance with the bright lights and music keeping her entertained throughout the two hours of the show.

Even Su Pollard wasn't irritating and perhaps that reflects the over the top nature of the form. Chris Jarvis was very funny and does a good line in impersonations.

The photo was taken just before we left to collect the other members of the group.

Hit from behind

I'm stuck at home as I wait for my car to be sorted out after being hit yesterday evening on the way home from work. It was a pretty straightforward accident as I waited at a roundabout and was hit by the car behind who thought I'd gone already. Just damage to the bumper by the look of it but I expect it'll be the best part of £1000 to repair.

Sparkshop kitted out for success

Attired in our new Dundee United kit kindly supplied through Rich and Phil, Sparkshop saw the unbeaten run extended to an impressive third game following a one all draw on Monday night. It was a bitterly cold evening with a light smattering of rain which found us raring for action once again and this time with Rich back in goal, Dom and Matt at the back, Kev, Pete and Phil in the middle and myself and new Matt up front.

Spaceship is getting his van upgraded to a mobile office/home and has a newly installed wood burner and in view of that I wanted to say we crackled into action with the spark of desire kindled by captain Kev at the helm. The Wimborne branch of our fan club were out in their usual force with no one watching us but we didn't pull up any trees in a quiet opening to the game. However, we gradually established a foothold in the game and regularly splintered the opposing defence with a blend of neat passing interchanges and route (root) 1 football.

Anyone fearing a defeat was bark(ing) up the wrong tree and would be advised to leaf that kind of comment out.

If you think that word play is poor it's oa(k) by me but with Kev at the 'elm we are going places.

That's enough of that now.

We took the lead following an arrow like throw in, flat and pacy, from king Kev (weho is kind to animals and loved by the RSPCA) which I managed to get a touch on to leave the ball in the corner of the net. There were other chances, notbaly to new Matt, but sadly no more goals until we conceded from one of their throw ins. The ball got stuck in the area and was rifled home with a sweet left footed strike midway through the first half.

That was the end of the scoring but it was not for the want of trying in an enjoyable game played in the right spirit.

A great start for the new kit and a well deserved 5th point of the season taking us clear of the bottom places with games against the bottom two and top two to follow.

Glen's guitar exam

Glen had his grade 4 guitar exam this afternoon which was quite an ask given he's not taken any grades for guitar previously. However, he was almost perfect by all accounts, and though he shouldn't really know, the examiner told him he'd made his day and that he'd only dropped a couple of marks. That means he doesn't just pass or get a merit, he gets a distinction which is a fantastic achievement.

Next he wants to go for grade 6 which will give him points toward univeristy entrance while in the meantime taking up music at Brockenhurst College.

Well done Glen!

Sparkshop sensation

On a cold Monday evening on early Dec 2009 Sparkshop achieved the notable feat of securing a first ever top division win after the success of their first point last week. It was a deserved victory but one that looked like being thrown away midway through the second half.

With Richard away, Dave stepped between the posts again and proved himself an able deputy once more with several top class saves including one from three pint Pete as he was hit by a ball across the face of goal. His distribution caused problems for the opposition all night as well and he even managed to save one with his testicles which was very brave of him.

The team was down to a bare 7 this week with Dom and Matt sturdy at the back, Kev and Pete energetic in the middle and myself and new Matt up front and barely ever back in any meaningful sense.

We started well and caused some problems before a low shot was spilled by the keeper as Matt let fly. The rebound fell to me and a quick adjustment saw the ball steered home. That lead was a tonic for us all and we soon found a second goal as Kev went in hard and released me up front. A ball played round the corner into new Matt's feet was swiftly controlled and pushed to one side before he let fly with a shot which the keeper got a good piece of but not enough to prevent it spinning over the line.

At two up and playing well it should have been plain sailing but a third escaped us when a good move freed Matt who headed goalward leaving the keeper stranded only to see the ball rebound back off the bar. I had a header cleared off the line but there was a goal against the run of play as an unstoppable shot flew into the top corner past Dave's despairing but graceful dive.

In the second half another goal came this time resulting from several deflections which eventually freed an attacker and once more Dave got hands to it but not quite sufficient to prevent the goal. We were hard pressed at this stage and under a good deal of pressure but we survived as the team came back together and tightened things once more, encouraged by the continual screams from skipper Kev who put in some lung bursting adminishment, particularly in my direction. It has to be said, it was entirely merited but the balance was redressed near the end as a long throw assist from Kev was headed on by new Matt and found me lurking near goal but moving for a change and thus freeing myself of attention from a static defence. It was deft header which won the game as we saw out the final moments in relative comfort despite the pressure.

Our first three points and a fine effort from all involved. Well done lads.