Temple Bar v Oc 3rd XI

LOB Cup 2nd Round

Result 1-2

That's the first game this season that we've failed to score first. But suck me sideways did we react well. We totally outplayed Temple Bar from minute one but a freak goal shortly after half time somehow put them a goal ahead. But as I stood nervously on the touchline fearing the worst, you guys seemed to have a different idea. You didn't panic. Heads didn't go down. And you didn't stop playing the football that has seen us beat pretty much every team we've faced this season. The patience shown yesterday to come back from 1-0 down against a difficult side on a difficult pitch reminded me of a typical Chelsea display. Jacko's equalizer was right out of the Tony Yebeoh book of excellence and his celebration was one of the scariest things I've ever seen. Passion personified. A real shame we didn't get it on camera as that was a real contender for goal of the season - a 35 yard wonder hit that even the dogs on the touchline appreciated. With our foot firmly back in the game, we ploughed on, continuing to run circles around them and never panicking at the back. Then, just after hearing their manager shout "They've got nothing lads, just a fluke strike from way outside the box that could never happen again", Frenchy collects the ball 25 yards out and says "anything Jacko can do, I can match" and proceeds to smash the ball into the top left hand corner to set the dogs on the touchline off again into wild celebration. Boom! 2-1. Fully deserved.


I don't quite know where to begin with pats on the back as every man played his socks off and deserves praise. Dude in goal did everything asked of him on a wet slippery day and his distribution was top class. The back four were superb, lead by the incredibly tall and handsome duo of Wilkinson and Ryder-Smith and supported fantastically well down the flanks by Steve Hunter and Angus Procter. Dolly and Mark Jackson were everywhere and their superior fitness really made the difference in the closing 20 minutes. JJ as always picked out some classy passes and continues to be the sublime link between defense and attack. Spinks enjoyed some space down the left and got himself into some great positions to deliver a number of quality crosses. Likewise Frenchy had the beating of their left back on every occasion and his superb goal not only capped off a great afternoon for the young winger but firmly announces his arrival at the top of the Golden Boot table. But for me the Man of the Match was John Jackson. It's not easy playing up front by yourself but Jacko hounded their back four all afternoon, showing a fitness I never knew he had. And his equalizer got us straight back into a game that could have easily slipped away from us. Well played Jacko, great to have you back! But praise be the whole team. We are really beginning to play for each other. Giving a pass and then moving into space to receive it back. We used the ball very effectively and our communication was clear and positive. We were superior in almost every department but I've seen games like these lost before so thoroughly well done out there yesterday. Very professional.