The pitches are hardening up fast in this relatively dry spell, after a poor winter, and surfaces are not conducive to good football. The Club pitches should get their first cut this week and possibly a rake and harrow to help level out the bumps. In the meantime there were some horrific bounces in evidence on Saturday designed to the produce embarrassment for defenders with near ‘air swings’ in crucial positions. This is a time when chasing lost causes can reap huge benefits but you have to be fit to do it for 90 minutes.

Whether it was fitness or the pitch that caused the 1sts downfall is not clear but maybe a bit of both. It was a very poor pitch and there were only 3 of the 1st team at training last week. Despite this they scored first and were still well in the game at halftime. We used to specialise in comebacks from first half deficits, but lately we have allowed the game to slip away into a thrashing through individual errors. The goal against trend of 4,5,6 over the last 3 weeks is very worrying and a better attendance at training would show the commitment to pull out of this dive. They are now 4th from bottom and far from safe. We know that they can match the best in the Division and should really be battling for promotion.

Of course, 36 people missing through unavailability or injury is another major factor, and this has been supplemented by 7 suspensions, 3 from the 1st team, where our shocking disciplinary record has come home to roost.

Despite all this there were some good results today not least the 2nds. Their opposition did not play like the bottom side and it took a dogged performance and good finishing to take the points.

The 3rds were also scratching for players but went to 5th placed Kew and appear to have cruised to victory. Captain Sam can be proud of the performance bit not necessarily his penalty. Apparently it was so badly hit it confused the goalkeeper who threw it in the net. There was some clamour to assign it as an OG but as it was technically on target (a dead straight bobbler) we’ll have to give it to him!

The 4ths might regard their draw as a wasted opportunity as they were playing the bottom side. If changes due to unavailability disrupt the defence then this can cost dear. If you score 4 you would normally expect to win.

Another very welcome win for the 5ths in a vital game against relegation rivals. Two weeks ago Ben Allen had 5 goals for the season but 7 goals in 2 weeks puts him as 4th highest scorer. It’s strange how goal scoring form comes in streaks.

The 6th’s did no damage to their prospects by getting 3 points out of 6 against the 2nd placed side; They were unlucky not to get more.

The 7ths ran into a powerful Parks side who are now top of the table.

When the Club is badly affected by unavailability it’s the 8th ‘s that suffer the most. Steve managed to conjure up some more schoolboys and, together with one or two old heads, did very well to only lose by the odd goal to a strong and robust Broomfield 6th XI.