Rose & Thistle FC 3 v 0 Rushmoor Sunday Reserves (Division 3 League Match)

After a week of soul searching Sunday finally arrived. Mr “Gay” Gray put last weeks performance down to the fact that he wasn’t playing and hadn’t kissed a ball for ages, just for clarification he meant he hadn’t kissed a football in ages.

The manager Davison had a lot on his mind, his inspirational team talk hadn’t worked last week, would it ever work? Well just for the record I don’t do inspirational team talks, by now you lot should know what your doing and what’s required!

The team had to change and the formation. Despite receiving endless texts and e-mails about formations 3-3-4 or 3-2-5, he knew keeping tight at the back was still a requirement. So onto a 4-4-2. The team this week Conetti, Leach, Lindley, Gray, Davison, Gadsen, Harris, Bunce, Holman, Marshall, Waygood. Subs..Winnard, Marsden, Scales, Goacher, Oakey. Davison starting himself for a change, Marsden carrying a small injury, Oakey suffered last week in the heat and Goacher still having Shin problems. Gray was back looking tanned after his week of worrying sheep.

For a change there was a buzz around the lads as if they had something to prove after last week, and rightly so. Mind you I think it was more to do with the Model show inside the school and their keenness to get on with the game, so that they could go spend their pocket money on the Airfix Planes, tanks and ships. Such a collection of Models, I have never seen so many in my time going round Model shows...arh...ohhhh...hmmmm.... ok change subject quickly before anyone notices...(whistle)...THE MATCH KICKED OFF !.

1st Half - “Cup Cake “ Conetti wanted to play in the Camberley End goal if he could first half due to the Frimley End goal mouth being under 6ft of water when he arrived. Well actually it was a couple of inches but we could have lost Toni for good if Davison hadn’t taken his socks and shoes off and bailed it out. On with the game. Thistle very keen to show that last week was a one off and lots of effort was put in from the off. It all came good as early on “Shinner” Waygood did it again, a nice floated ball over found Waygood to shin the ball off the inside of the post and into the back of the net, 1-0 Thistle. It was another hot day and the most affected player on the pitch was the ref, that’s why he kept himself nicely tucked up in the centre circle regardless of where the ball was on the pitch, needless to say this led to some grievances. The first being Davison, wanting to take a freekick for offside was promptly ordered back, and after taking loads of steps backwards and the ref saying nothing he promptly threw the ball forward and said sod it. Oh mistake ! The ref got the hump and told him to go back or go in the book..unusally for “Von John” he made a big show of placing the ball down..he wasn’t in the mood for discussion! The game ebbed and flowed with Thistle having most of the play and could have scored more. Phil Leach was showing that he WAS God and playing a blinder with Dick Holman playing a major role up front. Booking, for “Dancing Queen” Gadsen for fouling..oh dear. As for Davison, well he was fighting his own war with Rushmoor’s Number 5. Not taking too kindly by being pushed away for a header and not getting a freekick Davison’s Football Mist came down, rarely seen these days...kick the shit out of your attacker, don’t be caught, play well and what ever happens don’t be intimidated. Well the number 5 had it coming after trying to elbow Davison in the face. Davison quickly stopped the No.5 and with total honesty in his eyes he told the player that “if you ever did that again I’ll flatten you...no threat just a promise”. Davison went on to, go through the back of the player many times, follow through with the arm whilst heading and even kneeing the guy once down...well, what do you expect if the Ref is weak. For his sins the No.5 called Davison a tosser....arh didems... The first half ended with Thistle still 1-0 up, looking very keen and hungry and Davison very prepared to lamp the No.5 without any remorse...would they want it second half?

2nd Half - Subs at half time Davison off Marsden on , straight swop. Davison not being able to last 90 mins given his fitness, weight and the hot weather. 

Second half started, Captain Waygood finding voice again as he did in the first and wanting to win every ball. By now Gadsen and Marshall were playing some lovely football down the wings and Gadsen showing some great touches from corner kicks. “Smasher” Harris was proving to the manager that he could play in the middle under a 442 formation. Buncey was not having his best game but was putting in the effort, in fact every player on the pitch was up for it even in the second half, have we finally learnt to play for 90 mins?

Following some nice build up Gadsen forced a corner, up strolls Marsden, his first half claim that if those crosses came in when he was on the pitch then I’ll easily get a couple. With his pistols going, “Shocking“ Gasden whipped in a a brilliant corner, Capt Waygood soared like a Great Tit and headed the ball home into the top corner. 2-0 Thistle..rock on ! Rushmoor looked deflated, Thistle stepping up a gear into 5th and motoring, they ripped apart the defence and cross after cross came in. Waygood nearly got his hat-rick when a fantastic header was pushed onto the crossbar by the keeper. Two subs in the second half, Marshall came off as he looked exhausted and only just back from a bad cold, to be replaced by Rik Scales, Graeme went right , Rik up front. Shortly after, Graeme had to come off, Stu Gaocher came on and Jon Lindley went off to the right with Goacher in the Centre next to Big Dave. A little know fact here, Johnny Awesome has laid down a £5000 bet at Adam Harris’ betting shop that he’ll score 10 goals this year..no, stop laughing you wicked readers!! To prove a point Awesome lived up to his name. With Dan Marshall giving Jon some stick about defenders can’t play in midfield Johnny got the ball at his feet and stormed towards the Rushmoor left back. He outpaced him and headed for the penalty box. Holman and Rik were screaming for the ball, “not bloody likely” Johnny Awesome said after the match, “us defenders can create chances and miss as well you lot up front”. Still making his penetrating run he found himself at the 6 yard box, still going, he was heading out towards Camberley to run down the clock, when as the keeper came out. Being the predator he is he used his trade mark toe punt to get round the keeper and head off towards the cricket pitch...catastrophe! the ball nipped past the keeper and nestled into the net !! 3-0 Thistle. Marshall promptly shut up about defenders and bowed his head in shame with the words from Manager Davison ringing in his ears...” Your dropped next week mate”. As the game progressed the heat was taking it toll but the back 4 and keeper were determined to keep a second clean sheet of the season. Final whistle went with the the poor ref losing a full 4 stone just sweating in the heat. He promptly ran over to everyone and thanked them for a great game.

From my point of view...I think we are becoming a very good team. Lots of fight and determination again, just fantastic. Just wait until you lads are in your mid to late 20’s you’ll be like Johnny Lindley...just an Awesome Team !

M.O.M - VERY VERY Difficult today...for the first time I can’t split the vote between two and so both will get the mark. The Men of the Match are Holman & Leach. Both played out of their skin in their positions. Leachy is proving what he can do and showing that the right back position is his, Nick is showing that he is developing into team player we all know he can be and willing to go to any length to ensure the team succeeds. - Just brill lads, top marks 10/10 . 

One of the best, if not the best performance I have seen from us as a team under an name. The desire was there and with a strong subs line up as well we can give ANYONE a good run for their money. For those that didn’t play, there is always next week and please remember that it is a TEAM game, we all matter.

Back to training on Thursday with a smile on our faces ready for the next match !! TTFN.