Ah winter mornings. A ping of pitchero on your phone to say “selection update” and someone ticked has changed to crossed. A comfortable 14 down to a bare 11. Gingerly opening the curtains, it looked icy. Very icy. Another message from the oppo “are we still playing?” Fortunately, some last minute juggling and lift arranging and our numbers were secure and we know the winter sun thaws our pitches quickly. We were good to go for 1pm at home. Besides Jack offered to water the pitch to get them playable if required.

At how we went. After early exchanges with Witham’s early short going wide, Frank charged down the left wing and into the D and was tripped by the keeper. Umpires Russ and Ijaz conferred and a flick! Sadly, we couldn’t convert. Would we rue this golden chance? A series of Witham shorts, it looked like we might. But a drag flick dealt with by Sankar, the rebound, saved and then from the third, the big man chested in down and half-volleyed it away to safety. His trips to the football clearly showing he’d picked up some tips. From the West Brom players at least.

Under pressure, another short to Witham. But this time, the ball broke to Woody on our 25. He put on the afterburners and shot down the wing and 50 yards into the D. Squaring the ball, Sohan tucked it high into the net for 1-0! Scenes.

Sadly our lead was shortlived as Witham showed that they could convert from shorts. However, we did not allow the set back to rock us. Soft deft defending by Brett and the ball released to Frank who this time on his run into the box took an early cross shot which the keeper tried to kick and nutmegged himself to give us a goal. By now, it was all Loughts. Some great reads and intercepts by Aman releasing the ball forward and Frank capped an excellent first half to square the ball for Rehan to tap it over the line. In the process making friends with their keeper. Or at least I think that’s how he explaining it to me at half time!

Second half started with Edward turning and burning catching Witham unawares. Ed’s pass to Woody saw Woody take the ball into the D, but unfortunately, we couldn’t convert. However, shortly after with our first short (your correspondent did wonder whether we’d have been better with a short than a flick in the first half….) but Ari’s pass out to Ed saw him slam a shot into the backboard. Club captain Simon’s touchline analysis wondered if the ball had been above the back board line when it crossed the line demonstrating an impressively detailed knowledge of the rule book. But the Umpires had pointed for a goal. Simon’s view now irrelevant!!

At 4-1, we could have eased off but we kept the pressure on. Another great read at intercept saw Virtue released down the right channel. Making the right choice, he squared the ball for Ed to tap in at the far post. We didn’t have it all our own way, Witham showed they were capable of breaking at pace but the defence was equal. Ari standing firm and when beaten Jag covered to defence to calmly take the ball off the line. Shortly after Woody’s mazy run, saw him pull the ball back to Ed who calmly slotted home for his hat trick.

Whilst we continued to press, we couldn’t score again despite an excellent one two from Ed and Woody saw Ed’s hard, flat cross reach Brett. Brett’s first time push was well saved but rebounded to him. Glory shone in Brett’s eyes as he wound up to put the stick through the ball with the velocity of a jet fighter. Sadly, the ball eluded the stick and Brett’s worldy dreams will have to wait another week.

A final word on Esa. Industrious and elegant as he commanded midfield. However, on being asked, why he wasn’t trying to score, he modestly said he “doesn’t mind someone else scoring so long as the team wins.” Fortunately his Dad did today! But that type of attitude will see him go far and is a credit to him, his family and the club.