An eclectic team of old and new (see below) started off brightly. We more than held our own in the opening 15 minutes or so, so it was particularly galling to concede 2 very soft goals, partly of our own making (at least you're creating goals one end of the field - ha! Ed). But then things took a welcome upturn as we completed that rare surprise 'Dog tactic - get a shot on target from a short corner. Bravo, Satbir - 2-1 Wimbledon. And then, just before the half time whistle, a cruel blow. Their forward stood in the GMB's way (ok-ish) then took a step back into the GMB as a shot came in, blocking his sight and movement (definitely not ok-ish). But Avni saw no wrong, so we reached half time, most undeservedly:
HALF TIME: WIMBLEDON 3 'DOGS 1
Now, think of almost everything that could go wrong in a second half, barring any injuries, and it did. A couple of unlucky deflections: check. P- (careful, please. Ed) Pouring (that's better. Ed) rain, turning to sleet, into our faces: check. Opposition who stepped up several gears: check. Dispirited and bedraggled 'Dogs, who lost the ability to string 3 passes together: check.
On and on it went, and in and in they went.
FULL TIME: WIMBLEDON 8 'DOGS 1
Now that was weird, really weird. Even they - decent blokes as ever - said it hadn't felt like an 8-1 sort of game. But for the 3rd time in 4 games this season, we found ourselves on the wrong end of a right royal thrashing. Why is this happening? Your correspondent suggests 3 main reasons (oh blimey, here we go... Ed):
1/ our opposition usually is made up of players who know each other's game and have played together for many a year, while we...
2/ have had a lousy run this season of non-availabilities, both long and short term. Of our 7 to 8 regulars who formed the backbone of the successful side at the end of last season, only 2 or 3 have been able to play this year. And that's just too big a burden to carry, especially when...
3/ we are blooding youngsters. Full marks to James G, Richard C and Richard S who all played really well in defeat this week, showing precocious talent for their combined age of barely 40.
Frustrated: yes. Downhearted: no! On we will go, aware that, even if we don't set the pitch alight just at the moment, we still play a pretty good 3rd half in the bar afterwards.
Woof! Woof!
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