St Michaels 0 Lane Cove West 0

Sunday 2 April, 2006

Whenever Ipswich have a disappointing season - and there have been a few since the heady days of 1962 when we won the English Division 1 (and Division 1 meant what it said) - my mother says to me, “Never mind, there’s always next year”.

(My wife, on the other hand, had she the faintest idea what kind of season Ipswich have had, would say, “It’s only a silly game”, which just goes to show how little she’s been paying attention all these years.)

Last year Lane Cove West over-35Bs had a disappointing season, too, but my mother is right: it’s April again, and it is next year.

A bright and sunny day at Blackman was nothing new, but the lush grass and starting the season on a Sunday gave a different feel. And, of course, we were the new boys in the division, having gracefully slid down to division 3 (where our old friends from Lane Cove & St Ives, amongst others, await). I’d like to be able to say that, as new boys, we were all there bright and early with our shiny satchels, but alas, no: 5 minutes to kick-off saw us introducing each other, pondering positions, and generally leaving it all a bit late. Applying the contact lenses, knee brace, groin guards & liniment, plus the stretching of older muscles all take a bit longer than we’re allowing.

Today’s opposition were St Michaels; not entirely an unknown quantity, as we had played them (beaten them, even) in a pre-season; but that had been a combination of their division 3 & 4 squads. Today was our first taste of the authentic, unadulterated division 3. And, so far, so good. A nice game, well balanced, played in a good spirit, and if they’re all like this, we’ve found our level again. (Some of them, I could even run past!)

The close season had seen stalwarts Dave W, Martin C and Dave L depart; but also the very welcome returns of Howard (from New York), Brian (from the As), Tim (from injury) and Tony, who in his year away has been transformed: he’s emerged from his chrysalis as a goalkeeper! Steve Batt is our only completely new player: new, but not inexperienced – a welcome addition to those of us born in the first half of the ‘50s (and so able to remember Ipswich’s fine feat).

With Dave W’s departure, we no longer have a player born before what my mother still calls “the war”, but Bill, who now takes on the mantle of grandfather of the team, was at least born during it. And two others of our squad were also born in the ‘40s. (But no, Ernie, your birthday was not a valid excuse for missing today’s game!). We still await our first player born in the ‘70s.

But what of the game, I hear you cry? Are you avoiding talking about it because it was one of those dour (dire?) 0-0 games that is best not spoken of? No (& it’s not that it’s now Thursday, and it’s all a distant memory, either!). It was a good game, full of incident; exciting end-to-end stuff that will bring the crowds flooding back to Blackman. (Perhaps I’m over-reaching a bit there, but my mother will be here next week, and, in her own way, will doubtless flood to a game or two).

But like a lot of 0-0 draws, it probably did need a goal to open it up, and it has to be said that we looked the most likely to score it. Twice, in fact, in the second half; and both times it was Peter who carved out good chances, only to have the ‘keeper pull off great saves. Each time, Peter wove his way past several defenders to set up a clear shot, and seemed to do everything right. The first shot was particularly well placed, in the top left corner, but the ‘keeper was too good.

The nearest our opponents came was a clear header from a corner, right at the start of the second half. Fortunately it went just over.

Both defences were kept busy, and it was Brian who won the man-of-the match voting for his firm repulse of everything that came his way. Bob was second, recognising his hard running and shrewd passing in mid-field; and Peter third – and either of those shots going in (as they will on another day; well, not those shots, but ones just like them) would, no doubt, have elevated him up the list.

The other story was of injuries. Steve B & Dave C both started expecting only to manage half a game. Both, in fact, did more: we had no other subs, so they had to stay on when Bill collapsed in a heap (a victim, perhaps, of a hole just outside the penalty area that was so big you wouldn’t have been surprised to find a child in it from the morning’s game). Then Howard, and both Steves in rapid succession also succumbed to leg injuries of one sort or another, and Ivan, Dave P & Steve W from the As came on to help.

So this week’s statistical oddities included that we used 3 Steves & 3 Daves; and, by the end, had on the field, 5 regular members of last year’s As; including James who regularly sent over tantalising corners, and otherwise flew down the wing as befits someone who – as most weekends, it seems – had jetted in from somewhere. (This is his way of “taking it easy” before the imminent Boston Marathon).

Thanks to Bill for organising the beer. (I hope some of the As helped him and it to his car, after their game: otherwise, he may still be there). And to both him & Howard for volunteering to be linesman, although, as it turned out, they weren’t called on.

This week’s goal: our first goal of the season!

Mark Bryant