The game kicked off with Clacton still awaiting the arrival of a player to make up the 5 needed. This was because a few visiting parents had a little picturesque detour via Flatford Mill to see Constable landscapes in the flesh.

This game was the first time all team mates were together as a squad on the pitch since 22/9, which was also versus FC Clacton and the day HP broke his arm. Our gladiator and captain for the day MA also returned from his warm winter training taking us back to 7.

This game also saw the first time a ‘mum’ had taken control and become the ‘woman in the middle’ for the EBUFC sides I manage. It also happened to be my wife Sue, which saw morning preparations and discussions over breakfast focused around the finer rules of our beautiful game. Luckily without VAR and the current offside rules, U7’s mini football is pretty straight forward.

The team showed some great composure and discipline throughout the 1st half which resulted in goals aplenty. We’re still wondering if MA realised he had scored a scorcher as it took a while to sink In or maybe he just couldn’t believe the net wasn’t ripped cleanly off the Posts!

The game came to a halt as HP was introduced on the 10 minute mark and his appearance was met with a standing ovation for all supporters within in the ground to mark his return to the green of EBUFC.

The motivating half time team talk of remaining focused, carrying on as before and positional awareness soon went to pop as the boys came up with their own attacking formation of 1-4 ! It seemed to work just as affectively as the stricter 1st half formation and all boys got stuck in and played their hearts out. Some superb passing, unselfish play and ruthless finishing saw a bunch of very chuffed boys !

Many happy faces and smiles at the end of the game and thankfully the chocolate home bakes soon helped with sore tummies.

Another star performance also put in today was indeed by the referee, who apart from spending the ‘traditional 5 minutes of tying boot laces’ marshalled and controlled the game exceptionally well. No sin bins or yellow / red cards !!!!

To call her the Margaret Thatcher of women’s refereeing wouldn’t be an understatement !!