This isn't a match report - my ability to recall any football match I've played in is appalling. This is instead just a few words about why we should all take a moment to reflect on the utter brilliance of life in The Accies.
It was a great game last night. OK, a bonus that the Accies won - but plenty of work to do on defending corners I think.
For me the night was a bit unusual - a bit special even, as a few things happened that haven't really happened before.
Already in a great mood having seen the rain stop and the sun come out and having turned up really early and being the only Accie to do so, I bumped in to a large group of lads clearly there for a game of football. I said hi, asked if they were playing us and straight away was chatting away to a really nice, friendly bunch of lads. Ladywell FC.
They were genuinely interested in the history of the club - and if anyone ever wondered what my role as "club figurehead" ever meant I actually did - then rest assured that this team's first impression of the club was one you can be proud of.
We talked about their jaunts over to Belgium to play a team out there - about how welcoming and accommodating their Belgian hosts were. The similarities were clear to see, as I talked through the Rotterdam connection and the more recent Spain connection.
You could see us all already setting the thoughts in motion of some kind of European tournament involving all teams...
I've heard that during the game there was friendly banter. A welcome addition to the Accies oppo list has clearly been found. Even with some iffy Accies challenges and one yellow card for Barry, they did not lose their temper or complain. I only once heard "come on lads, this is meant to be a friendly". I have heard about clashes between players ending in each player asking if the other was OK.
Later on, the few Accies that went to the pub and it was great to see the entire Ladywell team in there also having a beer. More friendly banter ensued in the pub.
A great bunch of lads - a similar team to the Accies that we should look forward to playing again soon, both on the Dulwich Astro and on the grass at Palace.
Finally - having supped a couple in the pub after the game, Accies No.3 Stuart Dade and I arrived at West Dulwich train station slightly early thanks to a lift by the scorer of one of Ladywell's fine corners, Neill Robertshaw.
With 10 mins to spare until the our trains were due to leave I spotted a small bar through the glass doors of the Indian restaurant at the station. We popped in, explained we weren't eating and had about 5 mins before our trains left but asked if we could just have a pint. No problem! So, a fine night capped off with an unexpected cool pint of Cobra!
Stu is already cooking up a plan to pre-order and have a curry in there one Thursday night after the game - maybe after our final game on the Astro...? I'm in!
Anyway, there you have it.
Not a match report but a quick blog on how I am feeling right now. Proud to be an Accie and chuffed to have met another bunch of like minded lads who I suspect will soon become regular opposition.
Oh, and also pretty pleased to have seen us put a losing run behind us in style. As my facebook status says right now:
"Andrew Dade is a ten goal thriller six-four winner!"
Up The Accies!
