Alternative Match Report with Highlights [sung to the tune of Julie Andrews]

Raindrops on noses and whiskers on goalies
Broken tibia and fibia and warm woollen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favourite things!

Running girls in white t-shirts with blue lycra shorts
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eye lashes
Silver white winters that melt into spring
These are a few of my favourite things!

When the team scores, when the calf stings
When I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favourite things
and then I don't feel so bad!

Sing to the tune of My Favourite Things, sung by Julie Andrews

Sidelined with a calf strain, I took the opportunity to do a bit of football punditry in damp and freezing conditions in Crystal Palace last night. Having performed strongly in the opening games of the year, the Accies kicked off against BAM Real (from Spain?) who quickly asserted their authority in the opening exchanges. Quick interceptions by centre back Neil G saved the Accies before the game settled down in the slosh, slosh, slosh.... I recollected the Bolton-Wigan game the previous night and something about rather watching paint dry…. Won’t say much more except luckily there were some interesting sporty girls running on the track. I enquired if they were Olympic hopefuls.

40 minutes later, just before the break, second after mentioning to sub Sam that this had bore draw written all over it, BAM Real threaded a looped ball across the area and thumped it home. 0-1. Sod's law.

The second half saw some changes with the coach bringing on Perre who immediately impressed as well as Sam, who as usual did lots of running. All of a sudden it was 1-1. The ref blew for a foul in the penalty area and it looked like a Real free kick. From the touchline, we looked back to see Shaky slot home from the spot. 1-1. Then, probably the best move of the match. Some good link up play down the flanks, simple passes and good running into space saw Dean power down the left and drive in a low cross only for Thorny somehow not to connect but then Joe S to ram home. 2-1. Great play.

After this I saw something really good. Sustained pressure on the Real goal – controlled play and movement which really ought to have been rewarded. A game of two halves as the old cliche goes.

But there was more drama to come. From afar, centre back Neil G seemed to have pulled down the Real striker [see report below]. The ref pointed to the spot. Up stepped the Real penalty taker which was fantastically saved by super-goalie Lee. Amazing! See the jubilant scenes on the touchline by Greg [worried about his hairstyle] and Shaky in the video [unfortunately the phone cuts out as he does the puddle dance].



The game ended 2-1 to the Accies with some nervous moments before the whistle, though on the whole, completely deserved. An encouraging performance by everyone concerned. Lets hope my calf heals soon.

Report filed by Werewolf
PS - Can we ask the WAGS to sing the above song when we go to Rotterdam?