It would be safe to say that I was a little deflated following last week’s defeat against Collingham who sat comfortably below us in the league. I know they are our bogie side but the lack of unity from the team did spread doubt in my mind as to how we have progressed this season. . Today we had the Sumal brothers back, which is always a good boost 
We welcomed the league leaders Calverton to Devon Park so we knew we would be up for a battle today. Sure enough they turned up fully hyped up for the fixture.
Mr Hampton put the boys through their paces in the warm up. I stripped everything back to basics today and asked the boys to keep things simple but with full energy. No heroics just keep the ball moving and get involved. The key phrase was ‘He who dares wins wins’ or translated to the lads, he who WANTS it, GETS it.

A new central defensive role for Rhyce saw Harvey demoted to the bench, who shared it with Theo and Ishaan.
Right from the off we put it to Calverton full throttle. It was evident straight away that CMW would do the same. For a spectator the game must have been a gem.
After some brilliant two touch football William missed a sitter of a chance from 10 yards out and then again later on but it was good to see us in good control of the game. This missed chances would cost us as CMW’s forward hit a freak shot from the edge of the area that Robert could only tip against the angle and in. To be fair we did allow him too much time on the ball. Robert hit the post himself in the process but brushed it off well. Against the run of play, we went 2-0 down, when some very nifty footwork from their forward saw him skilfully put the ball in the net from the edge of the area. William put a brilliant goal in the net to be only flagged offside. He did get one eventually when he did the longest one-two known to man, with Shaqueal, who terrorized their wing back and returned the pass to Will who hammered it in.
Both Paul and I were more than impressed with the lad’s performance at half time and didn’t seem worried by the 2-1 deficit. I didn’t dare make any substitutions as it may rock the momentum.
The lads continued the second half in the same vein of form and attitude. We pressed and pressed until William again netted when put through one-on-one. CMW began to get restless and screamed for joy when a lack of marking at our back saw them head in from a good cross. We had a couple of Shaqueal chances just go over the bar. All the subs came on and slotted in brilliantly, instantly getting into the rhythm of the game. William gambled and chased down a ‘lost cause’ through ball and was rewarded when their keeper and defender allowed the ball to scuffle free into Will’s path to equalise in an empty net. It certainly silenced the opposition and brought out a bit of unsportsmanship from them, which was sad to witness. 
The game ended 3-3 and to be honest, we could have lost and I would still have been proud as punch with the team. They were brilliant in every way. I reckon we edged it overall though and deserved a victory.
As Paul H pointed out afterwards, I failed to stay mute on the sideline as I’d promised but in my defence, I felt I had to counter-act the aggressiveness of CMW manager’s shouting. I did stay positive though. 
I couldn’t really ask of any more of the lads today. They’ve certainly set the bar for themselves now, which is great because as Paul H said, “this makes it worth getting out of bed for”.
All the players were excellent but a special mention has to go to my man of the match Rhyce, who was faultless, Adam H, Ben L, Shaqueal and William.
All players and parents should be very proud of themselves in the way we conducted ourselves today.

We will be tested again when we play second team, Dunkirk at their place next week. Until the meantime, I will savour this beautiful weekend as we lay third in the league!!