DUFFY SCORES. NOTHING ELSE HAPPENS.

Wandsworth went into this game with just one win in their last two games. Old Whits started brightly, but against the early run of play Wandsworth took the lead at the Croham Road pitch via a Marek run and finish from an acute angle down from the left of the box. The home fans were probably expecting the worst.

But quick striker A for the Old Whits had other ideas and this game turned on its head in the space of five minutes midway through the first half. First, a sloppy counter resulted in a slow finish into the far corner for the home team. They then took the lead in a similar fashion via another quick counter, this may have been scored by striker B, who was also quick. A brief rally occurred for the 6s as Marek scored yet again. However, it was in vain as quick striker A or B, I’m not sure which, scuffed in a goal before the half when, after a quick counter, a clearance didn’t quite get… well… clear. This probably brought striker A's goal total for the season to more than two. 3-2 at HT.

Frantic yelling at each other ensued at half time. Subs were made. Pitches were blamed. Early kick-off times were lamented. Vinny can tell you how slippery it was. However Old Whits and quick strikers A and B were in the mood, and although Wandsworth exhibited better shape and control than they had done in the closing stages of the previous half, quick striker B set up moderately foully winger C for a tap in after, a quick counter from a corner. To compound the misery of the brave Wandsworth boys, the same thing happened again say 5/10 minutes later to make it 5-2 to the home side.

To this point, it had been an afternoon to forget for Wandsworth 6s. However, Wandsworth utility man Neill Duffy continued his scoring return to the side. The move started with the ball working down the right flank, the ball was sent to a galloping overlapping Duffy, the fullback showed him the outside, but Duffy was having none of it, he dropped the shoulder, switched inside, his certainly accurate and purposeful feather-light touches took him to the corner of the 18-yard box, he worked some space for his famed cannon of a left boot, and let rip. Contact was so perfect as to be almost weightless, the clearly world class Old Whits' goalie was left stranded as the ball arrowed like a meteor into the far corner of the net. Glorious. Teammates were seen with tears in their eyes at the beauty of the goal. The balance and control of the run; the sweetness of the finish; combining into footballing Nirvana. Nathan Mills commented after, ‘witnessing that goal was like touching the face of God.’ Carl Remmer opined ‘His left foot makes mine look like garbage’. No one asked Kershaw for an opinion. Neil Watkins Player/Manager/Guru said ‘Imagine you’re going to go well over the top with your description of your goal in the match report. Heard Martin say he thought you meant to cross it’.

Some other stuff happened after the goal but this match reporter can’t remember and couldn’t care less. Think Nuno had a free kick that just went wide and nearly got us back in the game. Ah well.

Three goals in two games. Two goals with the left foot. It’s got to be a sign of the apocalypse.

Marek man of the match. Conan got a vote too. Get well soon, Conan.