Gaffers Gob - 7th January 2009 The Hurricanes

After a three week break, we have the welcome and much heralded return of the Gaffer's Gob. This return (as well as the impended relegation to division 1) clearly inspired the team to greater heights of effort and a first on pitch win this season.

The general euphoria surrounding a last gasp, snatch of victory from the jaws of defeat should not hide a performance that was tarnished by a fair amount of ring rust. In the first half it was evident that the team were scared of shooting from anywhere but the edge of the D. It was quite depressing to witness the ball moving from side to side across the pitch with opportunities to go for goal being spurned for the option of a pass that inevitably didn't go to feet. That's not to say the gaffer was immune from the odd slip. His first throw out ended up in the pitch side netting showing an incompetence and height that only Mikes oft maligned shooting could hope to emulate. Alongside the passing, i also felt that last night the defence had a tendency to sit on the D which allowed the opposition time on the ball and to approach the Goal. As we get used to the game again i hope these creases in the performance can get ironed out.

More positively, when Alan gained the cohones to have a shot he struck the ball well and scored the winning goal. Mike was again reasonably assured on the ball and was effort filled in his charging up and down the pitch. Leo and Steve again put in top drawer defensive performances although the match highlight will surely be Leo's drive towards goal from the right wing which was horribly sliced and skied. Gareth put in another trick filled performance and was in evidence wherever the ball was. The Gaffer feels that he was reasonably assured in Goal and did not have to many howlers other than the aforementioned throw out. He is also pleased to have put in a seasonal Kodak moment when clutching the ball out of the air mid dive. However, Leo rather spoiled this by saying i could have shuffled across and got behind it. Obviously i disagree as do the judges who awarded me 9.7!

All in all, it was a good return to winning ways and Steve put in a magic first performance as treasurer. Just to clarify, his appointment as treasurer does not mean that he has been promoted from Vice Gaffer to Gaffer.