Ah, there you are! Well, it’s been a long and at times turbulent season for the ‘Dogs but, you know what? All things considered, we looked to be ending it on an up: 2 home wins on the bounce, either side of a game at Wimbledon where we deserved at least a draw. But this would test us – could we round things off with a flourish and get one over on our own NPL kennelmates, the Desperados?
As the teams lined up, it struck your correspondent that we don’t half have some fantastic attacking talent at NPL when we get it all together. If our trio of Scotton Junior (hooray!), his old man and Neil S promised a goal or 2, what about theirs – Gordon, Jiji (oh no, not again!), Kevin G and Rupert Cox? Not much money had been wagered on a dull goal-less draw prior to pushback.
On the other hand, we had a proud record of not having conceded a 1st half goal for over a month to protect. Something had to give. You’ve guessed it: scarcely had we had time to say “oh goody – Satbir’s back, too!” before our defence got us into a tangle of 6’s and 7’s and a Gordonesque reverse stick piledriver from Rupert C got them into a lead of 1’s and 0’s. But hold on! No-one responds to being a goal down better than us (…months of practice?) and, suddenly, the pressure was on their goal and, soon, it was 1,2,3 and 4 whoopeedoo. HALF TIME: ‘Dogs 4 Desperados 1
Just for the hell of it, we swapped goalkeepers at half time. So our forwards for once had to endure the endless chatter and antics which so endear (ahem) our GBB to all the other teams we play. He kept out a fair few, too, as the ‘Dogs continued to dominate, in some style. But he was powerless to stop Tom Mayhew’s deflection for an own goal which was positively Gallifant-like in its deft execution, and was equally rooted to the spot when Scotton Junior took advantage of a break which saw 3 ‘Dogs attackers through on an isolated goalkeeper for a clinical ‘in-your-face-Gramps’ bullet finish into the corner. Meanwhile, at the other end, the Desperados scored a (rather harsh) PFlick and a bit of a pinball job from a short corner, the 1st short corner goal we have conceded since (ok, ok, we get the picture: the ‘Dogs are defending much better now blah blah get on with it – Ed). FINAL SCORE: ‘Dogs 6 Desperados 3
Could we round things off with a flourish? Oh yes, we could! Long gone are the dark days of November and December, when Peter and Nigel stepped into the breach to avoid the ‘Dogs being put down and the survivors merged with the Desperados. Subsequently promising but fruitless days of January and February led to a final 4 games of 3 resounding wins and a solitary somewhat unlucky single goal defeat.
End of Term Report: The ‘Dogs are alive and well, on and off the pitch. Nigel, Mike and Avni (with whistle and stick) have done wonders in defence, Peter has led by example a midfield in which James E was shoo-in for Newcomer and Player’s Player of the Season and Jimmy – with both scrupulously impartial whistle and scary ‘Grim Reaper’s scythe’ stick – a most popular Captain’s Award winner. In front of them Max, Barry S and Ian ensured we remained keen and competitive in attack. Huge thanks also to other ‘Dogs who play when they can – frequently after a League game on Astro – and ditto to Kevin G and all other Desperados who played for us often and to great effect. Woof! Woof! Tails wagging proudly and noses healthily moist, the NPL Bulldogs are looking towards the 2008-9 season in optimistically fine fettle.
Saturday, 15 March 2008
Saturday, 8 March 2008
BBHC (H): 08 March 2008
BBHC, eh? Hmm, a bit of an iffy one, this. There's what might be termed history here, mainly involving their disobliging views on the Bulldogs' lack of ability on their official website which - with hindsight - they probably might better have kept off the internet; a free swinging forward who regarded the whistle as an optional distraction and a prone, defenceless goalkeeper as rather handy target practice; and, of course, their magician - watch him turn a single healthy collarbone into 5 unequal pieces with just one late challenge.
But they had made the effort to come all the way down, round the M25, up again and over to Sweet Fortress Teddington today, so good on them. As luck would have it, we ended up 9 against 9. The prospect of so much running around aroused mixed emotions among the assembled 'Dogs: James E didn't see the problem. And so to the first half. Buoyed by recent decent performances, we competed gamely. Having safely defended 3 short corners, we won one of our own. And unveiled our new tactic: no more whoops-yours-oh crap, they're on the break- cor, that was close. No sirree. Instead, it was hit-stop-steady-BOOM, from Ian G. With a bit too much BOOM for their defence, as that rare but satisfying sound of crisp Bulldog shot hitting backboard echoed round the ground. 1-0 'Dogs. BBHC were good, though, and produced some nice stuff of their own, but Avni's silky skills and Nigel's Bulldog spirit coped admirably. This was promising - for the 2nd week in a row, we reached half time unbreached: HALF TIME: 'Dogs 1 BBHC 0.
Now one of the best things about these particular 'Dogs is we can learn new tricks. Our tactic of taking the field in the 2nd half without our captain, Peter 'Ninefingers' [...clue to his absence, gentle reader] Taylor may have confused us, but apparently sowed even greater perplexity among our opponents. Fortunately, we had the reassuring and welcome presence of Neil A - this week's on-loan Desperado ringer - in his place. And do you know what? Before you could say "make up your minds, you recently arrived 4th XI players, are you going to join us or not?", we went and scored again. Some nice stuff down the right from Barry and James E set up Ian G for his second goal. BBHC upped the tempo, but Max (surely growing younger by the week) and James G were going great guns in midfield. By now BBHC heads were beginning to drop a bit, while the canine snouts were pointed firmly and moistly forwards. Ian G found himself alone in front of goal with only their goalkeeper to beat. Scarcely had our cries of "Jug avoidance" and their cries of "good save" been uttered before Ian buried the rebound for his hat trick. And though BBHC fought on gallantly, they could find no way through, as the GBB found time for a couple of smart stops and interceptions, followed by the usual rather imaginative and catchy stick solos played, as ever, on the goalframe (Jimmy: your wife almost certainly won't get that one, either, so bring her along to a game to see for herself). And though they had further short corners, from various spots along the goal line, from both sides of goal, we kept our kennel pristine. FINAL SCORE: Bulldogs 3 BBHC 0
A good game played by 2 committed sides. Excellent, unobtrusive umpiring from Jimmy and their bloke also helped to keep the game flowing. The final score may have flattered us a bit but we've been unflattered by final scores more than once in recent weeks, so we'll take it. Thanks again BBHC for making the long journey over and for being particularly good sports and company in the clubhouse afterwards. Much appreciated, fellers: see you next season.
Winston of the Week: A tough one: we played really well as a team - big thanks again to Neil for helping us out in the 2nd half. But a hat trick is a hat trick, so the winner (albeit by a very short snout from a sublime performance from Avni) is Ian G.
But they had made the effort to come all the way down, round the M25, up again and over to Sweet Fortress Teddington today, so good on them. As luck would have it, we ended up 9 against 9. The prospect of so much running around aroused mixed emotions among the assembled 'Dogs: James E didn't see the problem. And so to the first half. Buoyed by recent decent performances, we competed gamely. Having safely defended 3 short corners, we won one of our own. And unveiled our new tactic: no more whoops-yours-oh crap, they're on the break- cor, that was close. No sirree. Instead, it was hit-stop-steady-BOOM, from Ian G. With a bit too much BOOM for their defence, as that rare but satisfying sound of crisp Bulldog shot hitting backboard echoed round the ground. 1-0 'Dogs. BBHC were good, though, and produced some nice stuff of their own, but Avni's silky skills and Nigel's Bulldog spirit coped admirably. This was promising - for the 2nd week in a row, we reached half time unbreached: HALF TIME: 'Dogs 1 BBHC 0.
Now one of the best things about these particular 'Dogs is we can learn new tricks. Our tactic of taking the field in the 2nd half without our captain, Peter 'Ninefingers' [...clue to his absence, gentle reader] Taylor may have confused us, but apparently sowed even greater perplexity among our opponents. Fortunately, we had the reassuring and welcome presence of Neil A - this week's on-loan Desperado ringer - in his place. And do you know what? Before you could say "make up your minds, you recently arrived 4th XI players, are you going to join us or not?", we went and scored again. Some nice stuff down the right from Barry and James E set up Ian G for his second goal. BBHC upped the tempo, but Max (surely growing younger by the week) and James G were going great guns in midfield. By now BBHC heads were beginning to drop a bit, while the canine snouts were pointed firmly and moistly forwards. Ian G found himself alone in front of goal with only their goalkeeper to beat. Scarcely had our cries of "Jug avoidance" and their cries of "good save" been uttered before Ian buried the rebound for his hat trick. And though BBHC fought on gallantly, they could find no way through, as the GBB found time for a couple of smart stops and interceptions, followed by the usual rather imaginative and catchy stick solos played, as ever, on the goalframe (Jimmy: your wife almost certainly won't get that one, either, so bring her along to a game to see for herself). And though they had further short corners, from various spots along the goal line, from both sides of goal, we kept our kennel pristine. FINAL SCORE: Bulldogs 3 BBHC 0
A good game played by 2 committed sides. Excellent, unobtrusive umpiring from Jimmy and their bloke also helped to keep the game flowing. The final score may have flattered us a bit but we've been unflattered by final scores more than once in recent weeks, so we'll take it. Thanks again BBHC for making the long journey over and for being particularly good sports and company in the clubhouse afterwards. Much appreciated, fellers: see you next season.
Winston of the Week: A tough one: we played really well as a team - big thanks again to Neil for helping us out in the 2nd half. But a hat trick is a hat trick, so the winner (albeit by a very short snout from a sublime performance from Avni) is Ian G.
Saturday, 1 March 2008
Wimbledon (A): 01 March 2008
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!
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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