Well, wouldn't you just know it? All that hard work to get that win last week against Purley - perennially tricky opponents, then today a lovely early spring day, beautiful playing surface and fantastic facilities (as ever at Wimbledon). But could we rise to the occasion? Harrumph.
We lined up, as has been our recent custom, with a spine of regular 'Dogs fleshed out with some welcome cameo help from other NPL friends. With Tom Mayhew, Murdoch and Rupert Cox showing that old Desperado magic, and Paul Bussetti and Donald Dunbar filling in for absent regular Bulldog friends effectively in defence, we looked competitive. Indeed, we had much the better of an odd 1st half: we looked several times like we should score, they looked once or twice like they might. But, despite plenty of pretty approach play from both sides, there were relatively few direct attempts on goal. Statistics sometimes lie, but this one doesn't: HALF TIME: Wimbledon 0 Bulldogs 0
For no apparent reason, it all went a bit flat after that: passes went astray, the harum scarum stuff kicked in and Wimbledon began to fancy their chances. Even the sight of our captain playing a prominent role in attack on the right wing ("I spit on your 'play centre half for the whole game!' ") couldn't quite gel us back into the force we had been before the orangeless half time break. And though James ran and ran, and Max put in a tireless performance in midfield, and half chances from Ian, Barry and Rajan just wouldn't go in - one even pinged back into play off the post with their goalkeeper beaten - it just wouldn't work for us.
And then, before you could say "ah well, 0-0 wouldn't be a bad result against this lot", Lady Luck really stuck the boot into the canine nethers. Half a chance for them on the right - but surely GBB's got it covered?! - turned to disaster as, instead of the anticipated hearty thwack, their forward contrived quite unintentionally to top the ball at waist height, thereby sending it looping merrily, in semi-slow motion, past a wrongfooted GBB. Bummer, bummer and three times bummer!!! We tried to huff and puff our way back in, but Wimbledon's defence would not be blown down: Final Score: Wimbledon 1 Bulldogs 0
There have been many occasions lately where we have fought bravely in defeat to a better side. This game was mighty frustrating and somehow harder to take: they would be the first to admit we more than matched them and deserved something from this game. Instead, we drew a blank and went down to a silly, single, mis-hit goal. Sometimes it is indeed a Dog's Life.
Winston of the Week: several good performances in an ultimately losing cause, but an award this week beyond the field of play. Well done Jimmy for an excellent game as umpire - clear, consistent and always keen to look to play the advantage where possible to let the game flow. Bravo, and thanks!
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