5s v Old Wokingians

Saturday the 17th April started as what every grass roots player dreams of, sunny, clear skies, an early kick off and with the pubs now accepting groups of 6, Borough 5’s were motivated to get in and out with nothing short of a positive result against this low table side. The team arrived focused with a few eyebrows being raised at the density of the hard surface knowing that with kick off only a few moments away, a watering can would not suffice. With nets up, stretches done and motivational speeches from the Club Secretary complete, borough 5’s look to the referee for the starting whistle, one issue, no opposition… After half an hour of penalty shoot outs, crossing drills and mother’s meetings to get to know some of the new ringers, Borough start to get the hump as if they have been stood up like a tinder date gone wrong. The Club Secretary, now fixated to his phone, we decide to send a few scouts out to find the Woking players. After finding some of the players in question behind the bike sheds smoking a couple of burners, it was confirmed a new kick off time of 13:00. Borough showed classy character patiently waiting for the players knowing the ref would be stewing. With enough players now showed, Woking decide to mince over to the pitch as if the pubs were still closed. Still giving it large, Borough are thinking we hope their football is as good as their moody chat, as we look forward to getting stuck into these bunch of reprobates.
The whistle blows and Borough set off with a high press 4-4-2 formation lead by David Agostini. The 5’s professionalism soon came to fruition as dominating the start of the game was met with some very rough challenges and calls that lacked substance came from the opposition side, though composure remained knowing we were already in the referee’s good books. Finally, a breakthrough from Joe Charsley on the left wing lead to what Borough thought was their opening goal, it was at this point the team knew the task they had at hand with all but one of the opposition team flooding the referees personal space to appeal for an off side decision. With social distancing ignored by the opposing team, peer pressure kicked in and the goal was overturned with Borough players wondering if a knew VAR installation was now available at the home ground. Disappointed, given the ball was already back on the halfway line, nerves start to kick in knowing it could be one of those days for the 5’s. Through Borough’s perseverance LLB finally made the break through 30mins in with a no nonsense, trademark, sub 6 yard finish into the bottom corner who quickly followed up with a squared ball to Pringle for another outplayed and classy finish.
Moving into the second half, Borough knew they had to start putting away the abundance of chances they were getting as an opposition goal at this point could have changed the games mentality. This is where MOTM Dan Van Dijk McKimm came into the fold, a wall at the back, leaving Borough’s keeper as only a motivational speaker for the day gave Borough confidence, they would soon find the net again. George Neame’s blistering solo run down the right wing gave him the opportunity to ping in a low cross, so classy, Woking’s centre back felt it deserved a goal, smashing it into the top corner, Borough knew the day was their’s. Heads now gone, Woking folded with their car park, pre-game burners finally catching up with them. 30 minutes left on the clock and an onslaught continued, with full time Borough 5’s keeper, Andy, nursing a finger injury, came off the bench to play upfront makes it 4 with a lovely finish bottom left corner. Continued pressure from Joe Charsley on the left wing, decided to make it 5 with a lovely solo effort, taking matters into his own hands after Andy missed an open goal, turning his nose up at a simple finish claiming he only scores worldies. Borough questionable feelings of Andy’s methodology to scoring goals was redacted with only what can be described as the goal of the day to make it 6. A salmon dive that only top NBA players can make, defied logic and gravity, heading in off the post from a corner with the last touch of the game. Nothing but satisfaction from even by this point miserable Woking players who knew their day was done. All in all, a high level of character and class shown on the pitch from Borough 5’s and confidence which they can take on to finish the season on a high.