I knew a good old grumble on the blog would do the trick, why didn't I do it weeks ago! Two wins since I last posted is just the tonic we needed as we chalked up another 3 points in the league, and a Berks & Bucks Senior Cup win at Aylesbury.
The game against Hednesford was not always the prettiest, though it did contain two unbelievably brilliantly executed goals by Steve Wales that more than made up for anything that went before or after. In fairness, I didn't think it was that bad a match. In the first-half the visitors were the better team and their officials were justifiably astonished that they were 2-0 down. However, despite not scoring in the second period, I thought we were the better team, played the better football and created some reasonable chances.
In the latter stages there was a moment that resembled Andy Adebowale's effort away at St Albans City in the 1992/93 season when a crowd of over 3,000 held their breathe as his shot from the halfway line came out of the mist and hit the post...this time it was Steve Wales hitting the shot (and a crowd a tenth of the size, but other than that it was the same!); it had more pace that Abo's effort, but managed to clear the cross bar. At this stage it was 2-1 against Hednesford and there were a few desperate moments, but on the whole we saw the game out well, were professional in our tactics and were happy to take the points.
It had been a tough week with three long away trips in 8 days, to get home and win was just the tonic we needed. We are still battling against expectations and I still heard moans and grumbles after Saturday. Even on Monday I took a call from a helping supporter who thought the game was "crap". I was just happy to get a win under our belt and see some smiles again.
I've spent all of this week commuting up to London (how do people do that everyday? It's horrific...on Tuesday morning I was queuing to get on the platform for the Northern Line south from Euston to Angel, not the train, the platform! I was eventually bundled onto a carriage, just managing to avoid getting shut in the doors as we trundled along with me crouched over with my head resting on the back of the person in front of me...) and therefore was up against it a bit to get back in time for Tuesday's Berks & Bucks Senior Cup clash at Aylesbury.
I thought I was going to make it as well, until I got picked up from the station at Hemel with the kids shouting out the window at me: "Dad - we've got a gas leak!". Even I'm not a big enough bastxxd as to go out to football leaving the family in the house with a gas leak. I was pleased to receive the text informing me that Talbot had put us 1-0 up, no more bleeps from the phone was good enough for me. A 1-0 win and a Quarter-Final clash at home to Beaconsfield SYCOB. By all accounts the match was not a classic, and the pitch was a reminder of why we should be so pleased to be back in the Premier Division.
Now another confession, I'm going to have to miss tomorrow's game at Evesham as well (if it's on, as I write this now I understand there is a pitch inspection at 10.15am). I could take a gamble and go for it, but I need to be home, washed and showered, in my DJ and down at Shendish Manor for 7.00pm...that could be pushing it? The occasion is the Esporta (yes that is a gym before anyone makes any sarcastic comments!) Christmas bash we are attending with friends; partly a celebration for my birthday next Tuesday...if I were late back, it might become a very miserable night and a risk not worth taking (and having been to Worcester's ground - where Evesham play - on a cold day before, it kind of helped me to make the decision).
The players are due to meet at the club for breakfast prior to boarding the coach. People are quick to criticise players at times, but when we were looking to cut costs over the summer, supplying breakfast prior to away matches was one of the luxuries that faced the chop, but instead the players now all chip in and fund their own breakfast - a big thanks to all the players, and Barry and Andy Hart for supplying the breakfast. It's one of those "little things" that really makes a difference.
Away from the field things continue to rumble on this week. I've been involved in various meetings and discussions that could be good for the club, CHAVS continue to use the football club as a base in preparation for the cold weather, the British Legion held their AGM, the Berks & Bucks girls team played a representative match, we've been getting quotes for new toilets in the ground and we still have plenty of Christmas Turkey Raffle tickets to sell before next Saturday - it seems such a silly little thing, 50p tickets, but this fundraising event is so important during a month when things traditionally get tight.
The normal plea for any help remains, we desperately need people to help share the workload...I'm well aware that we are still not the best at communicating what is needed, but even this is the result of too few people trying to organise things again. If you read this ahead of the Victorian Evening down in town tonight, why not hunt out the Supporters' Trust members selling Turkey raffle tickets, and if you can, offer them a hand, I know it would be hugely appreciated.
Let's hope the winning run can continue.
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