STEP UP NO PROBLEM FOR THE CHAMPIONS

Saturday was the 5s' first league game in division 5 South after last season's promotion was always going to be a good test of our ability and how we might fare over the course of this league campaign. The weather beating down 25 degrees and only having 12 players (which quickly became 11) just added to the difficulty.

The first half was a cagey affair, both sides were prepared to toil and run the hard yards which made it a great battle. We might have just edged it, but only by having the best chance of the half which fell to Will Fox. A great strike just inside the box that rattled the crossbar with the keeper just getting a fingertip to it. More chances kept on coming but Shene were throwing themselves desperately in front of us and making some good blocks.

Nath Davis who missed last season with injury, managed to get injured last week and this week lasted a full five mins before getting injured again! Amazingly, all of which different injuries, Michael Owen would be proud. This meant we were down to a bare 11 and the prospect of Sam White having to leave after 75 mins due to a 30th birthday party in Northampton. Things didn’t look great.

After a very welcome half-time break, Shene went 1-0 up after a bit of a mix up at the back from a corner. The opposition player mistruck the shot but it still sailed in. Not the start we needed.

Going behind seemed to spark us into life, a short goal kick was pounced on by Mark Pringle, his cheeky back heel fed Coops who slotted the ball in the back of the net.

Sam fortunately abandoned his train up to Northampton which meant one quickly became two after Andy Strachan nodded in a corner at the back post.

Shene piled on the pressure which was duly relieved by a Charlie Cooper save and an optimistic attempt at goal by Andy. He struck it well but for some reason the keeper wasn’t guarding the middle of the net and it rolled in much to our delight.

The game was seen out and a great start to our league season. Great effort from everyone which came through in the 2nd half especially as not one person stopped running. The beers after were very much deserved.