Cheam M2s 4-1 Old Cranleighan M5s

On a day that was being described as “wetter than your mum” by unruly teenagers up and down the country, Cheam braved the disgusting conditions and ventured out to Thames Ditton in an effort to bounce back after last week (the less said about that match, the better).
The match started with pace and purpose and before anyone knew it, including the goal-scorer Addi himself, Cheam went ahead. Even though he moves like a new-born foal on a slip’n’slide, his bamboozling style saw Addi shuffle off two defenders and squeeze in a shot from a tricky angle. We were all stunned, and celebrations were somewhat delayed until the umpire’s whistle confirmed what we had just witnessed was reality.
Cheam were in the ascendancy and began turning the screw, creating chance after chance whilst repelling any OC attempt to break out of their half. Next up to score was Josh, who finished off a well worked move to slot it past the keeper… Not bad for someone who was only there because his dad was umpiring, it seemed luck was on our side!
The rest of the half was comfortable, until a fanciful breakaway goal just before half-time gave Cheam a reality check. Dispossessed in the middle of the park, OCs made light work of bursting forward through the lines to dink it inside of the far post. The jury is out regarding Misty’s loss of the ball - Some OCs players admitted he had been fouled, whilst some of our players moaned he went down easier than your uncle’s spare airbed. Whatever happened, the first half ended 2-1 and this was a big wake up call that we couldn’t get complacent.
And complacent we were not. The second half was dominated by a revived and well-organised Cheam side who doubled their score whilst keeping OC’s chances to a minimum. The only real opportunity OCs had in the second half was a pure pity play by Ted who decided to give the ball away on the edge of our D. The big debate is whether Ted felt sorrier for OCs, or for Charlie, who had spent the second half standing in goal getting soaking wet. Perhaps not as wet as Taylor though, who spent a lot of the second half doing his best Sol Campbell impression, sliding around as far as the eye could see.
The second half goals came from Gary Allen, who took up the James Clack role to score a lovely deflection from a short corner, and Addi who hit a lovely forward-drive volley that would have made Ben Stokes proud. After scoring two goals, Addi didn’t want to steal the limelight and so opted to injure himself instead of going for the hattrick. A pure act of humility in a world that idolises fame and fortune, it really warms the heart to see.

MOTM – Josh! It is great to see a junior step up so naturally, and he kept the forward line ticking with his tireless running and strong hold-up play. Must feel good to get a goal on your debut too!
A special mention must go to the Charlie, Ted, and Ollie in the heart of defence, who ushered the team incredibly well and ensured that everyone maintained their shape and marked their man. A final shout out to Jimmy who had a solid game in his M2s competitive debut, assured on the ball with some great decision making, top work!