The OTs came into the game with some confidence after putting together a strong set of results since the turn of the year, and with a strong squad raring to go. The later kick off allowed for extensive pre match preparation, which culminated with Kieran leading a multi ball warm up. Unfortunately these preparations were in vain as we found ourselves (like a fascist dictator starting a war…) kicking off with only one ball. This wasn’t the only rule that surprised Kieran last Saturday.

The OTs started brightly with Dave creating a few chances, unfortunately such was his shock at outpacing the Meadonian defender that Dave repeated this trick one too many times and forced the defender off injured, a substitution which lowered their average age by 5 years (do the math), and made Dave’s afternoon much harder.

Unfortunately the OTs couldn’t quite find their rhythm with passes going astray and they were unable to find the final ball despite controlling the game.

A long range free kick by Meadonians was turned in by their centre back, and after howls of protest and a confession from the Medonian, it was ruled out for handball.

A modern day philosophical conundrum – is it good sportsmanship to punch the ball in the goal, but then go to the referee and admit it? In terms of sporting gestures, it’s certainly not as good for the neutrals as that crowd pleaser of head butting Greg and then admitting it.

The rest of the first half carried on in the same vein, with the OTs defending well through Dicky, Kuldeep, Kieran, Mitch and Andy, but unable to get any real fluency going forward. This continued into the second period, but the game changed when Joe broke free down the right and centred for Dave to finish well.

OTs continued to push forward and should have had a second when Joe met a corner from Matt well, with a chance falling to Will who missed a sitter – arguably (and he did argue) he couldn’t have been closer with his shot.

The OTs finally got a second when Joe burst forward and played Colin in. Colin beat his man on the outside and crossed for Joe to slot home a great team goal. Unfortunately Meadonians then created a couple of chances and scored a really well worked goal. The last ten minutes were nervy (as tradition dictates) but the OTs held on well, with the defence working well together all game and limiting Meadonians to very few chances. It’s a testament to the current run of form that the changing room was relatively quiet after a win that takes us to 4th and eyeing up Champions League football.