The mighty Wanderers, fresh from an extra hours’ sleep, headed en masse to the ever welcoming, yet gently inclining, pitches of Shalford Park this weekend to take on table topping Guildford Albion, in what has been widely described in the media as the biggest game of the season so far. With three consecutive victories under our belts we went into the game with a real spring in our step and an understandable confidence, last weeks’ demolition of Pixham had shown just how good we can be when we get the ball down and play, so the pre match message was simple; same again.

There were a few personnel changes to contend with this week; from last Sunday’s starting line-up we were missing Allen, Boxall, Foxy and Oli but thankfully with our superb new found strength in depth it didn’t look like being a problem, into the fray stepped Tigi between the sticks, Craig in central midfield, Ant at left back and Jack on the bench (after his controversial absence last Sunday). The remainder of the back three were Tim ‘The Deviant Bear’ at right back with Jay and Will at centre half. Yaya and Matt joined Craig in central midfield with the latter asked to perform the holding role, Pernas and Sam occupied the right and left flanks respectively with Tommo asked (by himself) to plough a lonely furrow up front.

The key to success is a fast start (usually) and that is precisely what we got. With no more than 90 seconds on the clock Pernas picked up the ball just inside his own half, on the right hand side of midfield, a smart first touch was followed by what the Guildford Albion match report has generously described as a ‘smart ball’, high praise indeed, but I feel would be more accurately depicted as a Pirlo-esque defence splitting worldie. Luckily given that we were only 90 seconds deep Sam still had the energy in his aging legs to beat the off side trap, bring the ball under control and slide it, left footed, past the onrushing keeper. One goal to the good comfortably inside the second minute, if we can keep this up 60-0 is still very much on the cards.

Unfortunately the early goal seemed to hinder more than help, the two sides traded blows for the remainder of the first half, although I think it would probably be a touch unfair if I didn’t concede that Albion probably looked the more threatening in the main. There were moments of promise during the half; Sam and Pernas broke the offside trap a couple more times but a mixture of better goalkeeping and sharper defending meant that these opportunities were quickly snuffed out. Albion had the better of possession and despite never having to contend with what you describe as an onslaught, Tigi made a few excellent saves and dealt particularly well with crosses coming in from the flanks.

So we limped lifelessly to the half time break and hoped that some inspirational words from Tom would act as the proverbial footballing defibrillator that we were in dire need of. Also JT had arrived and if that doesn’t get you going then nothing will. We started the second half very well, we got the ball on the deck and began to pass it around confidently. Matt, Yaya and Craig were dominating in central midfield and Pernas was the stand out performer on the right wing. Unfortunately despite the aforementioned strong start to the half, we only managed to survive for around five minutes before our lead was cancelled out by an unstoppable strike from the edge of the box, a potential contender for goal of the season. Only joking, what actually happened was a throw in from their left wing was allowed to bounce in our penalty area and was eventually struck very poorly by their unmarked striker from around the penalty spot. His dire effort which may or may not have been going wide (but according to almost everyone I have spoken to certainly was off target) was deflected past a helpless and somewhat frustrated Tigi via Sam’s rogue *spasming knee. One all and not entirely undeserved on the balance of play but a horrible way to concede.

The next twenty minutes or so was back and forth in terms of control of the game, both sides enjoyed five minute spells of domination but neither could muster a clear goal scoring chance. I would suggest that we probably looked more likely to score but that may just be my rose tinted spectacles or rear view mirror or whatever the correct metaphor is. Anyway metaphors and idioms aside we were eventually the side to forge ahead once again; a superb corner from Matt (correct me if I’m wrong) was flighted deep to the back post where the injury hampered Yaya was on hand to rise and nod home to restore our lead. Surely we could hold on this time…….

But alas it was not to be the case, no joint top of the Surrey and Hants Border League Division Three for us, no hordes of screaming women (or animals, minors and the maimed in Tim’s case). We were holding on valiantly, I even heard a cry of ‘shut your mouth, you’re losing anyway’ tossed prematurely at the goading left back on one occasion. But with only minutes left on the clock one of the Albion central midfielders picked the ball up on the left wing and lumped a hopeful cross deep in to the danger zone, unfortunately for us the zone the ball ended up was the most dangerous of all; Tigi’s top left hand corner. A gut wrenching way to lose our lead but quite frankly given the, at times, mediocre performance on show probably no less than we deserved.

Anyway onwards and upwards, we didn’t play well enough to beat a side currently sitting top of the league but if we can manage a draw when we are so far off our best is some consolation I suppose!

Special mentions are tricky this week as the game was so uneventful however I must give some much deserved praise to in my opinion, and given the votes for man of the match a few people agree with me, the best players on show in classic Wanderers blue. Tigi was superb and but for some incredibly unfortunate flukes would have kept a well-deserved clean sheet, Jay was excellent at the back, as was his partner in crime Will who was asked to do a job and did that job extremely well if you ask me. The fourth and final stand out was Pernas, he battled for every fifty-fifty and caused no end of problems for the Albion defence.

So all is not lost, this weekend we are traveling to the delightful Wallington (which interestingly enough was listed on my passport as my place of birth for some years despite my actually being born in Warrington. Fascinating I think you’ll agree) I know that the County Cup is not everyone’s priority but it is always fun to beat a team from the Borough of Croydon (or possibly Merton) so let’s get back up for this and get stuck in. Our three wins on the bounce really should have risen to four but at least we can now say unbeaten in 5!

Until next week gentleman. And in case Tim has neglected to mention it the Christmas bash is on the 13th December this year.

*according to the Oxford English Dictionary spasming is not actually a word. Who knew.