Blackheath (Home): 26 January 2008

Ho ho, what was this? As the hard core/soft centre (…the jury’s still out on that one) of the Bulldogs assembled, our numbers were swelled by the grand sight of the return to ‘Dog colours of Rajan and Satbir, and cameo appearances also from Curt and Dev. Such an unfamiliar team forgot the First Commandment of the Bulldogs – Thou Shalt Concede a Ludicrously Soft Early Goal – and set about Blackheath with gusto. The goal when it came was a peach: a great surging run and clinical finish from Rajan. 1-0 Dogs. We were defending well, but then let ourselves down with 2 silly moments. Each time, a Bulldog defender was caught backing off towards goal, obviously thinking ‘pah, this goalkeeping lark can’t be that hard’, thereby blocking the view of the man at the back as 2 stoppable shots pinged by. Hmm. And so it was Half Time Bulldogs 1 Blackheath 2

Barely had the second half started when Barry did it again (see last week’s match report) with a scintillating finish to even things up. Nigel and Mike were as solid at the back as they are from the front, if you get my meaning, and with James Whirling-Dervish, Peter, Curt and Dev sewing things up in midfield, our attack of Rajan, Satbir, Max and Barry were a constant threat. Twice Max put us back in the lead (one thanks to an unfortunate ‘whoops where’s it gone’ moment for their keeper – but we’ll have it, thanks), they scored a cracker in between and, as the clock ticked down, we got ourselves in a tangle and paid the price as they sneaked another equaliser. Still there was time for a bit of a scramble their end, then they had a last gasp ‘Oh sh*t, he must score!’ chance smothered before, finally, it was Full Time Bulldogs 4 Blackheath 4.

A really good game and a fair result. Just enough spicy stuff between certain players on both sides to keep old limbs going too. Thanks again to Rajan, Satbir, Curt and Dev – always great to have you with us, guys, and to Paul Bussetti, Jimmy and the goalscoring Donald Dunbar who should all be ashamed of how well they played as guests for our shorthanded opposition. Much appreciated, guys – just don’t make a habit of it, ok?

Winston of the Week: Captain Fantastic – Peter, for being at the heart of most good things, and resisting the temptation to join in the fruity stuff, when it all threatened to kick off a bit in the second half.