VIEW FROM THE BAR – PAGHAM 26-11-22

Okay okay, before you say it, yes, I am missing the game today (although not through suspension, I hasten to add). Turns out there’s a bit of a college reunion going on, and given that I haven’t seen most of that crowd in 25+ years, it’s only right that I go and show my gratitude for their help in making me the person I am today, don’t you think? (I’m fully expecting to hear a disagreeing chorus of ‘no’ as I head to the mainland on the ferry and you read this, plus doubtless a couple of smartarses suggesting I’m only going to see them to get a refund…)

Proper sorry to be missing it though, especially after Tuesday night. The point hard-earned at Shaftesbury last Saturday was without doubt a very good one, but what about the point on Tuesday, against an impressive-looking Hamble Club (currently fourth in the Wessex League standings)? For the first time in ages the crowd dipped just below triple figures (98 to be precise), but those who favoured a night at Westwood over the fait-accompli that was France v Australia were treated to a proper end-to-end thriller. I reckon the visitors just about edged the first half and at the break I wasn’t the only one concerned that they might move up a gear in the second half, but as it was it was us who managed to take the game by the scruff of the neck after the interval. In typical fashion it took falling behind to a sloppy goal to really bring out the best in us, but a cracking equaliser within 90 seconds was just reward for our efforts.

On another day we might have gone on to win the game, but a draw was a fair outcome from a full-blooded encounter with plenty of commitment from everyone on the pitch, not least Conor White, who capped another great performance with an incredibly committed, erm, ‘tackle’ late one that, in Victorian times probably would have seen him committed. Quite literally. It certainly put a new complexion on the term 50/50, which at least one person claimed it to be after the game…

Meanwhile the kickabout in the desert continues. The England game last night was a good cure for my struggles with insomnia, and on that evidence it’s no wonder Americans tend to prefer the non-kicky egg-based type of football, or a good game of rounders. I wasn’t surprised by the result though – the U.S.A. definitely seem to have our number when it comes to international football. We’re still in pole position to win the group though, that is assuming we can overcome the mighty, mighty Dragons of Wales on Tuesday (or at least avoid a four-goal defeat to come second in the group).

I shouldn’t joke about it, but there, I just have. So if it all goes horribly wrong you can blame me. In all seriousness I (like many folk, I’d wager) would prefer to see both England and Wales progress from Group B. It could still happen, but would take a Wales win and a draw in the other game though. Stranger things have happened…
Back to proper football, and we have a tough-looking run-in to the festive season coming up, with a trip to second-placed Bemerton next Saturday, then a home clash with Brett Pitman FC, sorry, Portchester – the runaway league leaders – the following week. Sandwiched in-between those is a midweek trip to Baffins Milton Rovers, which hasn’t been the happiest of hunting grounds for us in recent years. Nine easy points there then…

But you never know, do you? It definitely could be worse – we could have England next and be relying on a draw from USA v Iran…
Enjoy the game.

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