RESULT TO REMEMBER TO START THE YEAR

The Boro 3s arrived in Barnes ready to knock off an undefeated league leader for the second time this season. Having already beaten the previously undefeated OTs earlier in the year, Fulham Compton were next up. A few players helping us out in Murray and Harley, along with Pat Laker back from uni (and snaking his way up from the 4s) meant we were feeling confident.

However, a few weeks off for the Christmas break had taken their toll as was evident with a few wayward passes in the warm-up. And the slow start spread to the captain as he elected to play into the sun for the first half, getting his fair share of stick from the rest of the squad (he even made us switch ends for it).

Despite the glare of the sun, we started the first half strongly, with Lee and Bench, the centre-back playing a rare game in midfield, controlling the game in the middle, backed up by some good movement from the wide players. And the early pressure told in the first ten minutes. Crow picked the ball up just inside the Fulham half and played the ball to Rowson, who took the ball past the full-back and slotted beyond the keeper.

The game continued in the same vein after the early goal, with Will and Harley working tirelessly up top, and the Boro were unlucky not to increase their lead. The defence was holding firm against an impressive Fulham front line, with Ali and Murray a formidable duo, and looked in control until the left-winger got the ball in the area and was taken out by Rowson. No complaints and Fulham converted the penalty 5 minutes before half time.

The second half started pretty evenly, with Murray beginning to play more of a deep-lying playmaker role and the defence in general playing really well. However, a defender (who will remain nameless as he bought me a drink) got the ball caught under his feet, and instead of a hoof or a pass back, just gave the attacker a perfectly weighted through ball to run on to. The long-suffering of a threes goalkeeper...

Anyway, everything that has come before this moment in the match report is mere detail, as the winner of goal of the season is done! Unless we sign Xabi Alonso and he bangs one in from halfway you can put the name on that award right now. Within three minutes of conceding we were level, Bill receiving a bouncing ball back to goal, around thirty yards out, decides to spin and hit it. A few may have doubted El Capitan in that moment, however the strike was sweet, right across the laces. The keeper was off his line as the ball dropped beautifully, hit with power and technique and just a superb goal. The timing was also crucial as that put us level once again to build and we didn’t look back. Joe also scored.

Ok, more detail. The third goal was a scrappy tap in off of some part of Harold, but I’m pretty sure the ball in was great, and Harold got himself into the right area, and Inzaghi would have taken it. Bill was hungrily waiting behind but didn’t fancy trying to barge Harold out the way, either a real team player or didn’t fancy his chances there...

The team to a man was excellent second half, we used our subs well and it’s hard to single out anyone, I think really a collective effort and great to have the younger lads in as well who showed some real quality and putting themselves about in what was quite a physical game without being nasty.

Ok, should probably mention Joe's goal. The only thing wrong with it was it about 2% less sexy than Bill's and was in the same game. We had a counter-attack, three on two I believe, and I was waiting for Joe to roll me in like the gent he is, but he chose to shoot. He seemed to hit the ball vertically upwards (sources say there were some complaints from the defence, personally I was ready to scream at him for the lack of pass), However the ball seemed to hang in the air for minutes, before dropping down right under the crossbar, as perfect a lob as you’ll see. Apparently Cantona hit one like it but not quite as good / less loopy. It was a brilliant return from the former main man, who put in a hardworking, niggly display and capped it with an absolutely gorgeous strike to seal it.

From that moment we were strangely comfortable and disciplined, and top of the league were beaten.

Excellent work all round from the lads!