Addiscombe (A): 16 February 2008

Problems, problems, problems. 2 weeks after our lacklustre loss to Masonians, 1 week after our spirited narrow defeat to Wallington, which Bulldogs would turn up today? Funnily enough, that was the question our gallant captain was asking himself as he and just one other Bulldog stood ready 15 minutes before scheduled pushback time. Never fear! One by one we came, late but unbowed, with various tales of dreadful traffic and dodgy trains. Mind you, Addiscombe were hardly quick out of the blocks either, so it was a good job it was a nice sunny afternoon, with the prospect of a late sunset.

Now here comes the tricky bit. The game got a bit heated, especially after half time, but the captain has told your correspondent this report must not be - and I quote - too spicy. So I've clicked a few never-before-used buttons on my keyboard and, apparently, if the language from now on goes beyond the acceptable, the computer will automatically replace any offending words with the name of a fruit. Sounds a PLUMing silly idea to me (...BANANA me, it works!)

And so to the game. A funny first half, really. They put us under all sorts of pressure early on but we stood firm, then we had a spell where we dominated - good stuff from Ian, backed up by Curt and Neil and a mighty useful guest right winger called Phil. But then they got on top again and, after a few 'heart in mouth' moments, we then had that oh so familiar feeling of a 'ball in our goal' moment. Despite a further mini revival, we could only play what is known by some as Keira Knightley hockey - very pretty, but not as much as you'd like to see up front from your twin strikers. HALF TIME: Addiscombe 1 Bulldogs 0

Addiscombe had been a bit fired up in the first half - more than once they had got in hearty yahoos a wee while after the whistle had been blown, especially in our 'D'. So the 2nd half threatened to become a bit testy if they did it again. But first, a cheeky shot from the top of our 'D' - well before any whistle, alas - crept just inside our right hand post, doubling our deficit. Then Addiscombe did smack the ball again a bit after the whistle. Neil - for the 2nd time - got hit and decided he'd not feel safe carrying on. So off he went. It's always disappointing to see a MANGO (keyboard my GRAPEFRUIT! You've just made that one up - stop it, you silly PEAR! Ed) in this way, but Addiscombe kindly lent us another Phil. By now, however, we were under ever more pressure. Peter, Jimmy and James - like a manic sheepdog on Red Bull - held them up well, and when they got through them, Nigel and Mike were in stubborn mood at the back. And behind them, GBB wasn't in the mood to concede a cricket score either. So we didn't. But neither could we score, despite a late rally and some very near misses. FULL TIME: Addiscombe 2 Bulldogs 0

PINEAPPLE, FIG and SATSUMA it - another defeat. But plenty to be proud of. We refused to buckle and, once again, defended with real heart. For the 3rd game in a row, we conceded countless short corners but defended them all successfully. The goals against are now relatively few and, frankly, mostly avoidable: we seem to keep out the most dangerous-looking chances. What we really need is a lucky break or 2 in front of our opponents' goal. But the noses are still suitably moist and the tails wag proudly. Team spirit is still high, even after a horrible run of results this year. Surely every (Bull)dog will have his day soon.

Winston of the Week: Mike, for a cussed and highly effective performance at the back (and for saying "PEACH it!!" very loudly just the once when he got caught a fearful whack on the ankle by a full-blooded shot on goal).