Match report: 12 January 2008 Kenley Away

The ‘Dogs opened their 2008 account, with more than a whiff of Desperado about them, as they took to the field, past Kenley’s elegant cricket scoreboard (more of that anon). Among the many team changes was the latest return from injury of the GBB. Back to Black perhaps, but less Amy Whitehouse than Frank Sinatra: he Does it His Way and has surely made more comebacks than is wise. But there cannot be a more practiced goalkeeper in the Conference at affecting a nonchalant ‘Am I Bovvered’ air as he fishes yet another soft early goal from his net, which was quite reassuring when we conceded yet another soft early goal.

Undeterred, we sought an equaliser straight away. Gordon had several radar malfunctions, including one huge whoopeedoo that almost threatened something on final approach to Gatwick before, finally, we equalised. But then while Ian, Peter, Rupert C and Nigel made mischief up front, their forwards made even more mischief our end. We conceded again, and so did they, and so did we. A breathless first half ended with everyone puffing: HALF TIME: KENLEY 3 ‘DOGS 2.

Then we made a big mistake: we scored a neat 3rd equaliser from a short corner, and took the lead for the first time, from another short corner. Hereabouts, the crucial moment. Rupert, unused to so many goal celebrations in a single Bulldogs game, pulled something in his hamstring and had to go off, leaving us one man short on the left. Even Nigel’s brilliant ‘Boy Stood on the Burning Deck’ cameo, with able help from James, Martin, Matt and couple of grass eating saves from GBB, could not stem the tide. Kenley equalised and then, cruelly, stole a very well taken winner, as one final valiant attack by the ‘Dogs was thwarted. And so Kenley’s elegant cricket scoreboard (see, I told you we’d get round to that bit eventually) told the final, heartbreaking story: FULL TIME: KENLEY 5 ‘DOGS 4.

But it was a great game, played in good spirit and very well umpired by Jimmy and their bloke. Huge thanks to the Guestperados – Kevin, Matt, Rupert C, Gordon and Martin who, along with the regular ‘Dogs, went down by the single goal in 9, but fought to the last and never gave up.

WINSTON OF THE WEEK: Nigel, for a magnificent all round display.