Fracking commenced in Blackpool again this week to some controversy. Coincidentally, this Saturday was another fantastically warm October day proving that the Climate Change scientists really need to start considering the benefits to the UK. The Flames are on board, ensuring they consume as much carbon dioxide laden beers in the club after the game. #Drinkingforawarmerfuture

This week brought Fleet to try their luck against the undefeated Yateley Flames. A rare 3pm start brought its own issues. The low sun meant for the first half it was difficult to make out a Fleet player from a Yateley player. The red and black shirts looking the same against the bright light.

Willy was using the friendly game as a chance to experiment. With Jon playing as a wing back, the younger generation across the front line. It wasn’t long before Jon taught the forward line a lesson in Physics. Answering that age old question, what happens when an unstoppable force (Jon in full flow) hits an immovable object (the Fleet right back). As far away as Blackpool, the tremor was mistaken for another fracking earthquake. The umpires came together. Unsure of what they had seen. Had we just witnessed the creation of a Higgs Boson particle? Who needs the CERN particle accelerator? With the shrug of the shoulders a defence hit was given. The immovable object was controversially judged the winner.

On the stroke of half time Fleet broke through the Yateley back line 1 on 1. Ben came running out and kicked the ball firmly away. Unfortunately, blinded by the sun he hadn’t realised he was 1 yard outside the circle. The short corner that followed was saved but led to another short. The second opportunity was calmly put away. Yateley were 1-0 down at half time.

The second half brought a big improvement, Seb scored two great goals, Oli was always available to receive the ball, and with a little bit more luck Yateley would have been out of sight. With just 3 mins to go, the youngest player on the field, received the ball outside the Yateley circle. Like a piece of magnesium on water he zig-zagged around, in a blur that confused two defenders from the byline he tried a reverse stick shot that looped into the goal. For the second time in the game the umpires and many of the players stopped, frozen in time not quite sure if they could trust their eyes. 2-2 a fair result for a competitive friendly.
Man of the Match went to Oli. DOD was tied with one vote outstanding. Matt attempted to bribe the voter with a packet of sweets. However, this blatent act of Haribo Harikiri backfired and he won his first award for bribery! A career as a politician awaits…