boys another report where I start by saying unlucky! Whilst clearly a disappointing result we gave as good as we got for the most part, against a very good Vets side, who were determined to make amends for their cup exit to us last month. I went over to them at the end and they were delighted to win against, in their words, a very good vets side.

I expect they will be playing with Row in Div 1 next year, so whilst back to back defeats feels like a step backwards, it needs to be taken into context, particularly with the ridiculous injury list we are currently having to deal with. You know it's bad when you lose a player before kick off (Parker), although in fairness, having neil as sub softened that particular blow!! Hainsey's ankle is now massive, and he joins JT, Jim, Ross, Stu and Nick on the injury list.

Despite all these disruptions, we were able to call on Lee for full his debut, marlon once again and, as mentioned, neil to take on the league leaders. For twenty minutes we absolutely bossed it, with lee, marlon, hainsey and Kerry destroying them down the right, but they rode their luck a couple of times before they did us on the counter attack. Quick throw down the left and their very impressive striker knocked half the defence out of his way before nonchalantly slotting past the Cat. One nil felt hard to take and knocked our confidence for a few minutes.

We slowly fought our way back into the game when neil was ridiculously adjudged to have handled the ball in the six yard box. The ref made very few actual decisions all game, with good reason, for he invariably got them wrong! Anyway, Mayur got into the strikers head and he once again missed the target from the spot (although I suppose the crossbar is a step closer than finding the farmers field).

Half time, one down and all to play for. We then went 442 to try to take the game to Ashbridge but it meant that we were losing a lot of ground in the middle of the park. Even so, lee used a load of pace (not normally seen in Vets football) and got hacked down 20 yards from goal. Hainsey, probably our player of the year so far, despatched the ball around the wall and into the corner at pace. One all, game on.

Or not, as it turned out. Mal the South African then made me look like a traffic cone as he turned me, ran towards the goal and smashed it home to restore their lead. Gutted and sorry, but all I can say is he is very strong!!!!! Even when I had hold of his shirt later on he still got away!!

We threatened an equaliser and Cosser thought he had found it but for their keeper to save, point blank from a yard out. Amazing, instinct save but it summed our day up. They then scored a third from distance, right into the top corner and in truth, the game petered out. James lobbed one just beyond the far post and Cosser was adjudged to be offside when clean through (another amazing decision). They could have increased their lead but mayur stood defiant, working the angles well.

All in all, a disappointing result but I can't fault our desire, commitment and passion for the cause. Marcus played very well at right back, great to have neil on the pitch as ever, lee is a real find, marlon is still magnificent and hainsey kicked the shit out of himself for the cause but everyone's favourite weirdo gets man of the match despite stinking out the home dressing room before kick off. Kerry was magnificent from start to finish, chasing lost causes right to the end.