The Albion FC

The Albion continued their New Year’s form, with a 1-1 draw with long-term league rivals Westminster Wanderers.

The pitch was passed playable at 9am, following a sterling effort from the league in getting around all grounds for early morning pitch inspections.

Napolina : The middle class’s running companion.

Whilst the pitch was difficult to play on and despite a bright start from Westminster, the Albion dominated the first half with an assured and confident display.

Midway through the half, Jim P scored a perfectly fine goal with a back post slot. However the referee failed to see it cross the line and ordered the game to continue.

Towards the end of the first half, the irrepressible Woody finally put the Albion ahead with a “slide in” finish – taking his total to 12 for the season.

Unfortunately, Westminster were to later score towards the death of the game with one of their few chances and earned themselves a hard fought draw.

In the “Man of the Match” award, Tim and Neil picked up a vote apiece to tie third. Stew came in second place with 3 votes.

However, with 4 out of 4 in the New Year, Woody wins this week’s “MOM” with 5 votes.

Despite scoring the only goal, Woody picked up 1 vote in the “Henri Leconte”, for his lunging/sliding finish/shot.

Also, picking up solitary votes we’re “Marcus for running 20 miles on Saturday, 3 miles to the game and home again”; “The jogger for running around the pitch with a can of Napolina chopped tomatoes in each hand”; “Jim and Will for setting up a 2 man wall, 20 metres from where the free-kick was taken”; “Poor man’s Akinfenwa coming on to the pitch wearing tights” and “Albion’s four yellow cards”.

However, with 2 votes and in second place, was Nick Evans for losing his boots in the changing room, only to later find them at his seat.

This week’s winner was Stew with 3 votes, for a phase of play which had the purists drawling. Bringing down a looping/spinning ball with his instep, to then spread the ball over 50 yards out to the opposite wing and into the path of onrushing Jim P. With a passing spectator shouting “Zidane” shortly afterwards. (This bit never happened).