M4: Hampstead and Westminster 1 Reading 6

26.11.05

On a cold morning the Reading 4s (Musketeers, or as Laz still calls them, The Masketeers. What is one vowel difference? The team have now decided to call him Lez, until he sorts out his mispronunciation) took on the mighty H and W. The teams were only separated by 1 point in the league and Reading were hoping for the H W current lose in form to continue.
The game started and straight away it was clear it was going to be a hard fought, physical battle. The ball was passed around by both sides well and midfielders had to run hard to win the ball and create space. With HW having two centre midfields it made Kiff show his physical fitness by asking Sumo to drop back and help him out. With Handbag turning up late and then doing a full ten minute warm up ? Reading changed formation and switched to two upfront. This meant that Reading could now dominate (or at least try to) the midfield. With the ball being passed from one side of the pitch the game became more opened up, making it easier to avoid Handbags teddy bears. With a great pass to the forwards and Handbag getting in the way in hunt of another one of his three yard goals, he nudged the ball forward for Roger ?bad boy stewing steak scoffin? Barr to hammer it in. With the half time whistle gone HW had a penalty corner ? and Lez having a clean sheet decided to send his right post man off for a walk and he then stood centre goal as the ball gently rolled into the bottom right corner. He was severely told off in the usual way by captain Spag ? you dozy tart.
The team talk was decisive and all but Sumo adhered to the ?not dribbling? decree.
To his defence we did score of the short corner ? not quite direct though! Plan T to the rescue ? scuttle it home one way or another. Reading then took control for 15 minutes and converted great passing moves getting them 5 ? 1 ahead. HW did come back and have a few efforts and even with Lez trying his best to let another one in, but wayward shooting make it tricky for Lez to get an assist. Reading finished the game strongly and Kiff tried his best to dribble past a player or two, but a lack of control seemed to flummox his efforts. A great pass to Kiff at the top of the D was to be the high light of the game as his first touch was so poor ? he could have done better trying to control the ball at the wheel of a dodgem. The final goal went to Chris Wade, who worked hard not to score his third hat trick in three weeks ? money to tight to mention.
All the Musketeers were awesome and a 6 -1 win keeps them joint top of the league.