The 3rds finally played their first much anticipated first SAL game after the frustration of having the first 2 games postponed. The day didn’t start well when having arrived armed with our away blue kit the opponents decided amongst themselves to also arrive with their blue away kit even though league rules state home team changes strip. So it left John Long raiding the cobwebbed cupboards of Douglas Eyre searching for spare home kit! I pretty sure the kit that he found was the first my boys wore some 8 years ago but I must admit it did feel good to be wearing the famous claret and blue strips!

During The first 10 mins of the game I think Parms forgot they were no longer playing in blue as every pass seemed to go to the opponents.
Keeper Holmes had to pull off a couple of smart saves and centre backs man of the match Hoy and Massingham had to at their best to keep out the Poly strikers.
The break through came after 22 mins when Franklin won back possession and played a perfect through ball to Mike Diebelius who calmly slotted past the keeper.
Now the swagger was back and 3 minutes later an in swinging corner from Thake found Massingham who guided his header into the far post for 2-0.
On 36 mins Foster played a defence splitting ball, or so he told me, I missed it, which found Franklin one on one with keeper and after taking 8 touches finally slotted past the keeper.
A defensive lapse let Poly grab a goal back just before half time which served notice that this game wasn’t over.
Half time saw the introduction of subs Baldwin, Muela and debutant Morgan.
Within 2 minutes another superb in swinging corner from Thake found Long at the far post to head home from 6 inches.
Parms sensed blood and 2 mins later Morgan played in Long one-on-one for 5-1.
Poly grabbed a late consolation before Diebelius rounded off the scoring in the last minute racing onto a through ball from Long.
Great first performance well done everyone.
#PF