2009-10 Season
‘Chels go missing in action…
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Wayne in action in the first half - click for more pics from the game
This report is dedicated to the memory of El Tel Bellamy, our former right-back, who is as I write huddled in the bowels of the Hanoi Hilton on what was to have been the dream holiday of a lifetime. As he delves through his three-week-old plate of boiled rice and cockroaches, I’m sure he is missing us all terribly.
The ‘Chels strike force is also missing him – indeed, missing everything in sight to judge from this toothless performance against the Teds, who left the pitch grinning from ear to ear after nicking a win just 15 minutes from time.
Alex even managed to miss his train to get to the game, that’s how much missing was going on. Yes, as striking performances go, this one was definitely not a Swan Vesta.
Despite dominating possession throughout, we couldn’t get the ball in the net. The warning signs were there for all to see even before kickoff, when we were privileged to watch an extraordinarily well-choreographed Teds’ warmup – sort of a cross between synchronised swimming and a haka.
Nevertheless we started brightly. Perhaps it was the steadying hand of having a true heavyweight in at right back (ie moi), instead of some self-styled Brummy comedian (even if Postie Tel is our only genuine striker, haha).
We dominated the first half and were never really in serious trouble, with the defence mopping up the Teds’ few forays forward. Newbod in particular was having a great game and was breaking down their attempts to break out of their half every time, winning balls everywhere in midfield.
It always felt like we’d score, even without Alex – whose tardy arrival meant he was on the bench for the first half. But at the break we were still level. EP brought new boy Mike on at right midfield and played Tom B at right-back for me, with Newbs reffing – I think.
Jake rises like a salmon in the second half - one of many chances we didn't convert. Click for more pics from the game
We started badly with some poor passing and took time to settle. Stevie B was pinging balls into the box with gay abandon but when we connected the ball was going over, wide or being scuffed. But, you have to hand it to the Teds’, they were defending well.
My lasting memory is of Alex running all the way around the edge of the Teds’ box with the ball, as if he was looking for a door.
As the boss always says, at this level you need to get three goals to be sure of a win. We hadn’t got any. The inevitable was looming.
A momentary lapse allowed the Teds to break through, Tommy T failed to close down the shot from the edge of the box and Dave G couldn’t get to it. A cruel break after dominating the game for so long. We though we’d win but we were proved to be miss-taken.
And so dear reader, that is it. Banjos and barn doors are being introduced for our warm-up next week…
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