Report

On the final day of such a rollercoaster season, it was a moment which encapsulated perfectly the highs of the last few months, banishing the memories of the early season lows....

Strong defense won the ball confidently, and with a glance to the wings, the pass sent the ball simply and effectively down the right wing. With poise and grace the cross was sweetly chipped to the far post where, for the briefest of moments, the crowd and players fell silent as the expectation of the howitzer finish and the ball nestling in the "onion bag" was palpable... what a goal this could be...

The flurry of arms, legs and hair that actually arrived in an enormous mess at the far post, with what sounded like the twang of a hamstring or achilles tendon and possibly the pop of the 5th vertibrae, was accompanied by what could also have been excitable F********E escaping, Rick Clare hoisted the ball over the bar from 4 centimetres out. You had to see it to believe it...

So much for the season-s hugely enjoyable "last knockings" of the Lads and Dads game, a bit more of lthat ater...

The proper business of the final league match vs Unicorn was a perfect snapshot of the boys performances this year. Losing 6-1 hardly did them justice, certainly at no point were they outclassed by this Top 5 opposition, indeed for large parts of the game they were hugely competitive; only tiredness and tiny laspses in concentration costing them goals they didn-t deserve to concede.

On a beautiful May morning, their commitment and effort in the first 20 minutes deservedly gave them the lead, Jacob P latching onto a smart Harry S header and striking unerringly into the corner.

The defence had been magnificent, true "they shall not pass" spirit from Ollie C and Harry G who were exceptional in the middle, ably supported by Chopper Harry C and Patrick Prendergast making an extremely assured and committed debut at right back. Harry M again was commanding and decisive with his clearances and what little he had to do was again done with cool assurance.

Cricket and injury meant the 9-men had twice as much work to do though in the sticky conditions looked full value for 1-1 at the break. A few glugs of lucozade, water and fresh air later and the 2nd half test began to take its toll. Whilst Ben and Jacob P worked magic on the left and Oscar showed some excellent touches on the right, all supported by another barnstorming Harry S performance, the well organised Unicorn made the most of the chances that came their way. Whilst 5 goal difference was harsh, they showed their experience and ability and deservedly took the spoils.

As the final whistle blew the season was over though the overriding feeling was one of pride in the way they boys again stuck to their guns, never let their heads drop and kept working hard to the finish. It was another close call for the day-s Man of the Match; Harry G and Harry S had brilliant matches though Ollie C-s consistency, tenaciousness and effort deservedly scooped the prize.

Its amazing how 9 tired young lads can be rejuventated by the thought of kicking lumps out of a collection of wheezing, ageing, creaking and flatulent adults - so their keeness to get the Lads v Dads match started was tempered by Unicorn-s end of season awards, photos, interviews with Sky Sports News and comments from Andy Gray held for an age at the side of the pitch.

Great fun though it was, and three cracking goals from Ollie "the salmon" Conyers, Harry "the tiger" Gardner and Harry "Hammerhead" Sumner were sadly no match for a determined if breathless Dads team.

Graham and Paul were unrelenting in their sublime, on the ball skills... and their precise hacking, the elder Brennan blasting a hat-trick and taking a few 11 year old shins with him. David Walter was deceptively deceptive, until he had the ball; Andy "the Rock" Vaughan was... well, a rock in defence, the growling either in effort or to genuinely frighten the children (and some of the adults to be fair). John Mail reminded of a young Mark Lawrenson, the aforementioned Rick of an older Jan Molby - the mind was agle, the body sadly not. Ed and Phil, efficient and spritly as ever, were too much for the boys to cope with, and with a fat Barthez in goal, there wasn-t a lot of room for the ball to get past into the Dads net.

Highlights were Ben-s heeled clearance from a speculative pitch-long punt from Barthez, the Brennan hat-trick, Ben Mail putting in a performance that belied his early years, Ollie Conyers header and Harry Mail somehow heading a goal kick from Barthez that came down with volcanic ash on it.

A fantastic end to a fabulous season. The boys have been magnificent, it has been a pleasure to work with them and they deserve huge credit for the way they have developed as a team and the commitment they have shown...

A deserved break for everyone though, I can-t wait till we do it all over again next time.