Goals galore at a sundrenched Alan Drive where just 3 games provided as many goals as we would expect from a full fixture list.

While the 1sts rested, Merton lost and are down, but Norsemen continued their dramatic change of form to move above EBOG, having beaten 4th placed CEV on Saturday. On current form they must be favourites on Tuesday at home to EBOG, but it looks like we need just a draw from either this game or Saturday against Merton to be safe. Support could be vital on Saturday to bring the best out of the team so please come along and support them. They will be running on adrenalin rather than fitness after a shocking turn out to Ralph’s special training session last Saturday. You don’t have to look far to see why the 1sts have had such a disappointing season. When some other top sides are doing 2 training sessions a week, it’s been a good week when more than half our team turn out once.

The 3rds faded at Weirside who needed a win to be safe. Two early injuries didn’t help and having been winning 1-0 and 3-2 let it slip away in the second half. However, it looks as though they are assured of 4th place in Division 1 with a creditable 30 points. Fourth best 3rd team in the SAL above the likes of Nottsborough and Old Owens puts some perspective on a very satisfying season for outgoing captain Sam Patel. He came up with a masterstroke strategy of not playing himself for much of the season – a body-blow for the opposition!

Some very entertaining football at the Club with 19 goals from just two matches leaving spectators with the problem of not knowing which way to look or blinking to miss a goal. The 4ths left it until the last minute to snatch a dramatic winner when George Mabey surged through and slotted his second of the match and 11th of the season. A lot of credit goes to Ricky Brown who had his hands full against a terrier-like forward who was half his size but twice his pace! It was a bit like trying to swat a mosquito but he handled it well in difficult conditions. 5th place is now assured and Dan Lewis can also reflect with satisfaction on a successful outgoing season.

Finally the 8ths battled an extraordinary match with 4th placed Parkonians with some excellent goals mixed with the bizarre in difficult conditions. The high bouncing ball out of the sun was almost unplayable but EBOG looked at their best when they got the ball on the ground and played some superb stuff. The 8ths now edge 1 point clear of the 7ths who only have one difficult game left. Steve Down’s schoolboys mixed with a few older heads, not least his own in defence, has proved a potent mix since he took over before Christmas. The 8ths captaincy is always the most difficult in that you only get what’s left by other captains and sometimes less than that! His ability to pull in extra youngsters at short notice on a Saturday morning and make it work has been the difference this year. The 8ths have shown they can dish out the odd thrashing rather than just being on the receiving end and a number of good young players have emerged from the mix. Alex North got two on Saturday making it 9 for the season and is one of the good prospects certain to go higher.

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