Team Line up:
GK Bread
RB Scott
LB Ganna
CB Mellors
CB Ed
RM Manq
LM Gav Bowen
CM Gee
CM Jay
FW Little Brittan
FW Tony
Subs: Garlick & Belcher
The Bridge were down to the bare bones for this encounter against Blidworth Jolly Friar at The Manor in the League 5 campaign as Quiche, Danny, Quinny and Gav had all gone to Blackpool for the weekend (for anyone that didn’t know) and Lormor was going as red as a dogs end by getting sunburnt in Tenerife. After manager Manq had weighed up his options (what little options he had) he decided to go for a 4-4-2 and gave a rousing “we’ll beat them on the beaches” speech to get the troops ready. Scott was put in charge of cuddles in the absence of Ashley with mr nobody captaining the side as Danny polished off his 4th double Voddy Redbull of the day. There was no sign of Maid Marian in the Jolly Friar starting X1 as she was getting nobbed by fellow absentee Robin Hood, another no show was Little John, rumour has it that he’d signed a deal for League 2 side Mansfield Town FC to be official bench warmer 2005/06 season (what sort of manager signs Little John)?
Anyway, back to the action (please note there will be little action in this report as I was actually playing, or at least trying to). The Bridge started well with all players giving their all and always making space and passes available for team mates. Gee and Jay (in da Bungalow, BBC1 Saturday mornings for anyone not in the know) were running the centre of midfield, winning tackles and feeding the strikers (footballs not Big Macs as Manq had wished for), The Bridge started to carve out chances like a knife through I can’t believe it’s not butter as Bread in the home sides goal got his hands warmed by claiming the occasional cross or long range effort. The Bridge deservedly were 2-0 up at half time with 2 goals from Little (Leigh) Brittan. The first was a header from a good Manq cross and the second was a quality finish as he dinked it over the advancing keeper after going clean through. Changes were to be made at half time, one was forced upon as after 40 minutes Tony “Fack Orf” Gibney got nobbled by the big Blidworth JF defender that really did resemble Friar Tuck.
The second half got underway with 2 changes, as mentioned earlier Belcher replaced injured Bullet Tooth Tony and Garlick came on for Gav Bowen. As both teams settled down it was Blidworth JF who began to carve out chances, a little lad of BJF got a deserved goal back with 60 minutes gone after firing into the roof of the net, game on. The Bridge managed to soak up the rest of the pressure and secured all 3 points with nearly the last kick of the game, Jay put Little Brittan though once again, he rounded the keeper and claimed his hat trick. All in all a great win with a depleted side, all players worked hard and even played on once injured with no other subs available. Well done Bridge Tavern.
Man of the Match: Jay Edwards (as chosen by Blidworth Jolly Friar)
Meal of the Match: Betty’s hot pot