Rose & Thistle FC 3 v 2 Curly Park Bagtonians      (Inter Div Cup 1st Rd)

Another week another game, the main question - was it going to be another “Bloody Hot Sunday ?”, Davison worried about it as “Smasher” Harris seems to be wasting away in the heat, that and the teams deodorant isn’t strong enough in the Autumn sun.

We needn’t have worried about the weather to begin with as we had enough on our plates with the 3K run that was taking place around the pitch. A rather anxious, and rude, Athletics official tried to eyeball me into calling the game off but thought better of it and agreed that if we kept the ball on the pitch no one would get hurt - oh and the fact that we always kick the ball over the fence and keeping below head height was a novelty. It worked out well in the end both in terms of the result and that no little kids were hurt in the making of this historic occasion.

The team kept to its formation of last week, 4-4-2 with not much change for a change(!) The team this week Conetta, Leach, Lindley, Gray, Goacher, Gadsen, Harris, Bunce, Holman, Marshall, Waygood. Subs..Winnard, Davison, Scales, Oakey. Davison dropped himself, Marsden away shopping again for a new look ( and new boots), Oakey sub this week looking to top up his tan on the touchline.

1st Half - With the “Baggies” being our Cup Bogie team we set about trying to build upon our great start to the season. The sun was out but it wasn’t too hot, just right for a good game. “Baggies” were also including a couple of the old lads from way back, Put and Gatesy, Messers Gray, Holman, Waygood and Davison were out show them just how far we had come. To begin with the match was even, Thistle trying to get things going but struggling slightly. First blood came to Curly Park though when poor defending, which has been rare this season, ensured that the ball bobbled around the box only to find its way to the strikers foot who lumped it into the top corner, 1-0 to the Baggies. Now I won’t go into much detail but suffice to say that having a conversation with Mr Holman during the first half did surprise me somewhat. However, during that conversation Dick Holman did suggest in switching the formation to a 4-5-1, one that I pondered on until half time. The first half ended with us not playing at all well, the ref wasn’t letting the match flow and the lads were getting frustrated with their own perfromance and that of the refs. Half Time 1-0 down.

2nd Half - Much to talk about at half time with Davison pointing out a few home truths , formation changed and subs made. Off came Scales replaced by Holman, Off came Leach on came Oakey. Leach subbed, not for poor performance but his Hand of God moment caused him to have a 1 game ban to allow him time to reflect upon his great moment and so we need to play with his replacement before next week. A much better half was required if we were to progress to Round 2 for the first time ever.

Second half started, by now the weather was turning nasty. Wet and cold with the sun coming out to warm you up before the next belt of rain. Thistle started better and went looking for the equalizer. It came via “Shinner” Waygood - who else. With Dick Holman running his socks off creating space and not allowing the lumpy “Baggies” back 4 any time Waygood found his way through, 1 on 1 with the keeper took it round him and shinned it home.. 1-1 ! Now it pissed it down !! At the half way point of the half the ref got his card out for the umpteenth time, this time to the Baggies Goalie who had come out of his area and saved the ball with his hands..well only one course open the red card and 10 men. With that in mind Thistle struggled to make the most of it and at the end of 90 mins it was still 1-, good enough but more was needed.

Extra Time 1st Half - The weather by now was awful, I was soaked to the skin and thought about putting myself on just to keep warm. Rose & Thistle again trying to show their desire to win the game finally started playing some good football, good work down the right by Marshall was capped by a cross that didn’t go straight to the keeper and Captain Waygood pounced on it and bundled it home...actually he fired the ball home, 2-1 up. For the next 5 mins we were on to them but just couldn’t get the goal to kill them off, and we needed that as they got a free kick outside of our area. BAM, full bloodied freekick through the wall past Conetta , 2-2. Oh Dear. Harris was clearly struggling with cramp, where as the back 4 were looking solid and in form. Gadsen was also looking good along with Waygood and Holman. Bunceys ankle injury from last week was holding up so the signs looked good. I haven’t spoken much about Conetta but rest assured he made some great saves through the match with one particular corker in tipping over a fierce curling freekick. End of the 1st half.

Extra Time 2nd Half - Lots of geeing up and the will to do well, this ensured a full assault on the Baggies goal in search of the winner rather than rely on penalties. Holman was breaking past the defence but just couldn’t find the net. Harris was trying to score his points via Conversions and I swear one of his efforts went sailing over the bar, over the school and into Frimley Road. The game wore on, the rain kept coming, I got much colder and was trying to work out the penalty takers. Harris really struggling, big bloke , lots of running = cramp. More work for you on Thursday night Mr Harris. The final blow for the opposition came towards the end with their No.7 trying to be flash in clearing the ball. Gadsen whipped in another good cross, the No.7 trying to show he can defend went for the classic diving header pose clearance. Now I must say in his defence he got the ball, no mistake, BUT it zoomed straight past the keeper in to the back of the net..oh it was funny ! I’m being kind to “Shocker” Gadsen and I have given him the goal but it could be classed as an OG. The final whistle came, 3-2 to Thistle and History was made. Through to the 2nd Round for the first time ever - Well Done lads !! 

M.O.M - I haven’t said much about him in the write up but he played very well this week, MOM goes to “Cup Cake” Conetta who made some vital saves throughout the match and kept everybody on their toes at the back. Well done Toni. 

Again another solid performance and showing that even going behind we can come back and win. Oakey was a bit upset that he didn’t top up his tan but played a very good game, that gives Manager Davison a BIG headache when Leachy comes back from Suspension.

ROUND 2 HERE WE COME....OTHER TEAM’S...BEWARE ...THISTLE ARE COMING TO GET YOU !! :o)