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James Cutler

Played (Sub)	2 (4)
Goals	0
MOM	1

Match Report

Washington Vic 4 v 0 Steelers

Well, in 5 previous pre seasons since we started I have never witnessed anything like this current one. The first friendly on 28th July seems like a distant memory now as we have endured all circumstances since then, including cancelled matches, last minute injuries, holidays etc.

The latest episode saw us set off to Washington with 9 available players according to my book. Well that’s what I thought until we arrived and Willy said that his ankle was knacked and I had a message from Webby to say he was also injured. Good lad Racey volunteered to go in net for the first 50 minutes even though he was injured and this allowed Hit Man Hightower (previously 1 goal in 1 outfield game) to extend his fitness levels. We started with a 4-2-2 formation after one of their players offered to help us out at the back.

The nine man Steelers side had an injured Centre Half playing in net. Kieron Moralee was the only natural defender although he played slightly out of position at left back. Our Centre Forward Liam Burn played Centre Half alongside the still asleep Liam Bowes (Central Midfielder) to make up the back four with the helping hand of Graham from the Vic.

Michael Nichol and Jamie Clifford were about the only lads playing in their normal positions. Well, this was plus two other positions as they had the midfield to themselves. They loved the licence to roam ha, ha!

Hightower lead the line with Ryan Grayson who was fresh back from a fortnight in Greece. The big lad enjoyed his venture away from the sticks although he did start to drift deeper and deeper as the game wore on and ventured ever so closer to his beloved 18 yard box. His legs will be like piano strings today and I can see him hobbling around as I write this.

Racey did magnificently in goal and kept the score down to just the one goal deficit as the 9 men of Steelers played some decent football and kept the ball very well. It was hard work against the 11 men of Washington but they battled on and put in a sterling performance and looked the better side at times during the first half.

Racey and Michael Nichol had to leave 10 minutes into the second half and this is when the game changed dramatically. His replacement in net took to the field and looked like Ronnie Corbett on ice with the goalies top nearly coming past the bottom of his shorts. The new keeper conceded two of the goals by directly giving the ball away from goal kicks although he did come close to saving a very harsh penalty decision. I wanted to have some stern words with the net minder but it’s hard to give yourself a good shake ha, ha! Still I enjoyed the run out and I will say that Racey never received half the shots I did. The team must have been tiring as the game wore on as I was peppered with goal attempts. I was shaking like a rabid dog as the ball was coming from all angles.

Another lad (Tom) from the Victoria joined our ranks to compensate for Michael Nichols departure but our numbers were once again reduced to 8 when Liam Bowes had to resign from the match with tight hamstrings. We never had more than 9 men at anytime although we never had less than 8.

The run out certainly took the last bits of rust off the lads but I bet our Kerry needs a good oiling today. The work out for the lads was second to none and I certainly admired all of their spirit and attitude. The result may have gone against us yet again but the morale received from this sapping 4th friendly will have done us no harm at all.

The last friendly comes this Thursday and it would be nice to have a normal game for a change. If I have 14 or 15 to pick from it will be like a sunny day. Still, I may decide to put myself back in net again as I can only get better. Cheers lads, I appreciate all the graft you put in for the team.