CHELSEA BEAT NEIGHBOURS FROM SOUTH OF THE RIVER

As Jamie McNally said in the changing room this game was going to be won & lost in midfield & how true that was. Not only did Chelsea line up with the bearded playmaker Tommy, but they had also acquired the Walton Strollers playmaker as well, so it was always going to be a tough battle for Jamie & his central midfield partner for the day Carl Nicholas, fresh from his 100th Boro game with the firsts earlier in the day.

With Boro playing into the wind it was hard to get a grip on the game & Chelsea certainly dominated the early stages. Boro had several warnings before Chelsea scored although we did look dangerous on the break as proved by our equaliser. A corner was headed cleared by Renwick, Westcott sped forward, drew the last defender & played in Charlie who lifted the ball over the keeper. This equality did not last as Tommy scored directly from a corner, we gave away a penalty that was converted & then conceded a fourth which I can't remember.

Although down Boro certainly where down they were not out, as with the wind at our backs it was our turn to dominate possession & slowly dragged ourselves back into the game. Ian Donegan scored a pearler of a right foot volley as the ball bounced around the Chelsea penalty area. For those of you that know Ian that really is his standing foot so this was one for the record books. Chelsea looked dangerous on the break & Tommy hit the post with a wicked free-kick before Chelsea scored their fifth. Hoar got back another goal from a McNally pass & at 5-3 down we were looking good. We continued to push & dominated possession but Chelsea hit us with two late goals as we threw men forward to get something out of the game.

Can't fault the team for effort but Chelsea are turning themselves into the team to beat in Vets football so something to aspire to there. Charlie Hands man of the match with Stevenson, McNally, Donegan, Hoar, Westcott & Renwick also getting votes.