The C's this week took on Uni Blacks, whom we'd only narrowly beaten earlier in the season. Fresh from the break last week (cup round) we still felt a little under-manned, especially on the flanks - as Benjamin, Corin and Manny were all not playing. This meant Leo and Bobby were both thrust into new roles on the flanks. Steve Bresolin put his hand up to keep for us (with Matt and Varun both unavailable) which was a pleasant surprise as I had heard my name mentioned on Thursday night as a fill in keeper (which could have been a disaster).

In the early exchanges it was instantly evident that the Blacks team are blessed with a number of very quick young players and whilst we bossed possession and made a few half chances, the Blacks always looked dangerous on the break.

It was one of these fast breaks that resulted in the first goal. As our midfield were dispossessed on the half way line and a quick ball over was played, the back 4 just didn't have the legs to catch their striker, who made no mistake for a 1-0 lead.

As the half wore on though, we began to look better - Bobby was making good runs down the right (although his crossing maybe let him down), whilst Jan was frustrating his opposition with his physicality and hustle and bustle.

We went to the half though with the score still 0-1 and Tim proceeded to give the boys a right-royal roasting at the intermission, but it seemed to do the trick. After the break the Whites were on top early. With Cam and Lev making things hard for the Blacks forwards and Steve awake to any balls over the top, their chances were more limited in the 2nd half - although we did have a bit of luck from a corner when the Blacks hit the crossbar. At the other end, Patrick came onto the wing and immediately he was making an impact, with some nice interplays with John Wilson and the central midfielders creating a chance. It was no surprise then when we finally broke through, as Harry's shot was blocked by the keeper, but only managed to rebound to Bobby at the edge of the box who smashed the ball in for his first ever Uni Whites goal.

The celebration, well... It's one that'll be remembered for quite some time, as Bobby whipped a white wrestling mask out from somewhere in his underpants and put this on! (we have asked him politely to 'keep it in his pants' in the future). The goal did seem to spur the Whites on and for a sustained period we were on top, and with the fresh legs of Somi and Jason on the field it felt like the goal would come. Somi hit the side netting after pressuring the keeper into a mistake and Harry and Jan went close, but we just couldn't get the breakthrough we needed.

The result 1-1 was probably fair on the day, as each team had their chances, but neither was clinical enough. Best for the Whites was probably mercurial goal keeper Steve Bresolin or the masked marauder Bobby, whilst everyone else had solid, if unspectacular games.

SafTop