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Friday 20th August 2004
Speechly Bircham 4 Pegasus 25* (friendly)

(*conservative estimate)

Nine slightly over-enthusiastic individuals gathered in Brixton for their first exercise in several months hoping that this would prove to be a gentle re-introduction to the beautiful game, and so it proved. The Pegasus 6-a-side tactic of 'rolling substitutions' left the opposition chasing shadows as the Brixton astroturf bore witness to what can best be described as champagne football. Perhaps the best pre-season tonic saw almost every player get their name on the score sheet with the opposition keeper leaving the field due to exhaustion. Thanks are due to Speechly Bircham for arranging the pitch and for a good-natured encounter.
attendance: 5 (including subs)

team: J Rees, M Stevens, A Wise, H Drayton, A Mackay, G Bowden, A Moxon, H Puri, Edward O'Brien

Wednesday 8th September 2004
Pegasus 4 Taylor Wessing 2 (league)

With their skipper absent Pegasus kicked off the season with a tough opener at Mile End. Taylor Wessing took to the field a full 30 mins before the squad of 13 made an entrance. The opening half saw Pegasus adopt a 4-4-1-1 formation with OIlly Weetch supporting the 'Niall Quinn-esque' Archie Mackay up front. Disaster struck after 10mins. Despite some promising forrays into the Wessing half, the back four of Puri, Bowden, Googder and Wise were caught-out by a long throw from the Wessing left with an unmarked attacker ghosting into the area to angle a header into the far corner with Moxon left as a spectator.(0-1)

This served to spur Pegasus into action. A sustained period of pressure saw Pegasus win a corner on the right. O'Brien swung the ball in with his left foot. Wessing failed to clear the danger with the ball dropping at Mackay's feet and he carefully lashed it into the roof of the net.(1-1)

Peggy now had the bit between their teeth with O'Brien and Stevens controlling the midfield. Once again Pegasus won a corner from the right. O'Brien swung the ball into the near post and pressure from Goodger, Mackay, Weetch and Stevens persuaded the defender to head the ball into his own goal. (2-1)

Meanwhile the Pegasus defence had found the measure of the Wessing forwards with two very long-range shots being the sum of their efforts.

It was all one-way traffic by now. A great through-ball left Mackay one-on-one with the keeper. Showing composure seldom seen in the LLL he placed a lob over the advancing keeper and into the far corner.(3-1)

Aggression was the theme of the Stevens half-time talk and the team emerged with a new-found will to maim.

Five minutes into the half a double substitution saw Morley replace Wise on the left of defence and Wallis-Fahy take to the right of midfield for Puri with Drewett dropping into right-back.

As Mackay had elucidated at the interval, a goal from Wessing would reduce the lead from two to one (clearly demonstrating that basic numeracy is a pre-requisite for life at the Bar). And so, as if on cue, the defence was caught flat-footed by a ball down the Wessing right and Moxon was left to helplessly watch the Wessing striker place a lob into the far corner.(3-2)

Alarm bells started to ring. The Pegasus of the past couple of seasons would have sensed impending doom at this point, but the 2004 version is made of sterner stuff. Wessing pressed forward in search of an equaliser, but Goodger and Drewett met them with resolute composure whilst Morley came into the game more.

With 5 mins left O'Brien surged forward onto a through-ball and placed a left-foot lob over the hapless keeper and into the far corner of the net.(4-2)

Panic over, Pegasus saw out the remaining minutes with some neat inter-play and 3 points in the bag.

At the final whistle a scuffle errupted between Mackay and the rather frustrated Wessing No.9. The referee could've let the incident go, but decided to brandish a red card to the Wessing player whilst Mackay similarly received his marching orders to accompany his brace of goals.

team: M Stevens, A Wise, H Drayton, A Mackay, G Bowden, A Moxon, H Puri, E O'Brien, O Drewett, O Weetch, I Morley, S Goodger, M Wallis-Fahy

Wednesday 15th September 2004
Pegasus Vs Farrer & Co. (league)

6.55pm: cue eleven players sporting the red and black of Pegasus striding purposefully onto the Southwark astroturf for the second league game of the season. The referee patiently loiters by the pitch polishing his whistle. The opposition cower a short distance away.

7.00pm: two 'teams' of accountants emerge from the changing rooms. The london legal league (LLL) referee leaps into action defending his territory - one way or another he intends to referee a LLL match this evening!

7.05pm: investigations reveal that the LLL hasn't booked the pitch - the Prudential League has. So, the lawyers lose this battle with the accountants and retreat to the sanctuary of the unlit grass pitch knowing the war is far from over. The resulting 'friendly' match with Farrers provides the Pegasus strategists with a superb insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition, whilst the Pegasus level of effort cunningly gives very little away. The Caulkers Public House then plays host to additional training drills.

MATCH POSTPONED

team: M Stevens, A Wise, G Bowden, A Moxon, H Puri, E O'Brien, O Drewett, O Weetch, I Morley, S Goodger, M Wallis-Fahy

Monday 20th September 2004
Pegasus 0 Ashurst Morris Crisp 2 (Challenge Cup 1st round)

Cup week and once again the gaffer announced an experimental side as he returned to the line-up. His e-mail prior to the match drew heavily on Bill Shankly with the essence of the message being - "I don't drop players. I make changes." And changes there were with Eaton, Jeewoonarain and Robinson coming into the squad of 14.

Before kick-off 14 became 13 with Wallis-Fahy providing perhaps the most elaborate yet credible excuse heard by even some of the more seasoned criminal advocates in the team.

Stevens' previous call for aggression had clearly been taken on board by a green-fingered member of the club with a pair of secateurs found in the kit bag. On further investigation other essential pieces of kit were also discovered in the dark recesses of the bag including a once crucial piece of prosecution taped evidence which somehow never found it's way to court.

The match got underway and it was immediately evident that this would be a scrappy cup-tie. Our 2nd Division opponents unveiled a close-season signing, Jeremy 'Judas' Ward (previously of Pegasus and apparently still in possession of much of our kit). Stevens and O'Brien fought for control of the midfield but were up against a tough unit. Pegasus had a couple of half-chances to show for their efforts whilst Ashursts were reduced to long balls looking for their pacey attackers which Goodger, Wise, Bowden and Rees were able to deal with comfortably. P erhaps the most remarkable moment of the half came when Drayton was seen to chase back fully 30 yards in order to disposses the Ashursts right-winger.

Disaster struck midway through the first half when a high ball into the area allowed the wind to cause confusion between Goodger and Moxon just outside the 6-yard box with 'Judas' winning the header and angling the ball into the far corner.(0-1)

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with Pegasus creating very few openings of any note, clearly restricted by the lack of forward options. Jeewoonarain made way for Robinson after 5 mins with Rees moving forward to the right of midfield and Robinson taking up the right-back role.

15 mins into the second half the ball was crossed in to Judas on the edge of the Pegasus 6-yard box with his back to goal and he laid it off for the striker to fire it into the far corner from 12 yards out on the Ashurst's right.(0-2)

The match continued to be a scrappy affair with Ashursts able to comfortably deal with anything Pegasus threw at them. At this point Eaton took exception to being called "a fat old bastard" by a member of the Ashursts back four. Despite producing his birth certificate to demonstrate he was both not as old as he appears and was born within wedlock, he discovered that the only way to convince him was to administer a gentle shove. For this he earnt a yellow card.

Puri came on for O'Brien in the final minutes but the damage had already been done and Pegasus crashed out of the Challenge Cup and into the sanctuary that is the Weavers Cup. All in all it was not a completely demoralising performance against a side in a higher division and without any of our recognised strikers, but disappointing nevertheless.

The gaffer immediately announced (extra?) training on the thursday in order to improve on the general lack of fitness.

team: J Rees, M Stevens, A Wise, T Eaton, G Bowden, A Moxon, H Puri, E O'Brien, R Robinson, O Weetch, G Jeewoonarain, S Goodger, H Drayton

Monday 11th October 2004
Lovells 0 Pegasus 0 (league)

Events off-field (or to be more precise, 'holes on-field') had left early league leaders Pegasus with much work to do in order to reclaim the top spot. With this in mind the team came into a late Monday evening kick-off knowing that only 3 points would do. The gaffer continued his rotation policy with Earle and Lackin coming into the squad of 13.

From the Pegasus point of view the first half is probably best forgotten. The recently relegated Lovells were afforded both time and possession but fortunately lacked the quality to deliver a killer ball. That said, Moxon pulled off a fine point-blank save demonstrating why he has been Inner Temple's No.1 since the Knights Templar first set up home. Lovells targeted the Pegasus right, but determined and at times brutal defending from Puri kept breaks down. Meanwhile, Eaton and Weetch slowly battle their way into the game against a skilful yet rotund centre-half.

The final minutes of the first half saw Pegasus string a few passes together and enjoy their first spell of concerted pressure. O'Brien fired wide from distance and Rees, clearly with his eye on 'goal of the season', hit the bar from fully 30yds with the keeper beaten. So, Pegasus went into the break the happier of the two sides. (0-0)

With the wind in their sails Pegasus launched into the second half all guns blazing. O'Brien and Earle had squeezed the life out of their opponents in the midfield battle and were now able to spread the ball wide to Rees on the right and Drayton on the left. Lovells were reduced to the occasional break which the defence of Bowden, Goodger, Stevens and 'Tobias' mate' John (on for Puri) were able to comfortably stifle. The pressure was beginning to tell with some great balls being played into and around the Lovells penalty area, but the lack of fire-power was once again evident as Drayton used his (courtroom?) guile to create openings.

One attack worthy of mention saw Rees swing a ball in from the right. O'Brien sensed glory and, with little regard for meeting of flesh and the Mile End astroturf, he attempted what can best be described as an overhead kick from 12yds out. Unfortunately, his timing slightly awry, the ball looped into the air a full yard from where he landed. Even from this position O'Brien was able to get a pass away to Drayton who in turn forced a corner. On a rare foray upfield, Stevens met the corner well but pressure from a defender meant his far post header went over the bar.

10 minutes from time - A defensive mix-up between the Lovells keeper and defender saw Eaton clean through with only the goal-line to beat. Unfortunately this was one obstacle too many and a combination of age, fatigue and 'the agony of the moment' allowed the side-netting to pull off a fine save.

Even the introduction of Lackin for Weetch in the final quarter of the game could not bring about the breakthrough and for the second match running the Pegasus front-line fired blanks. In view of this the gaffer will doubtless be looking to dip into the transfer market and strengthen his strikeforce before next Monday's encounter at Battersea. Perhaps 2 points lost rather than 1 point gained. (0-0)

team: Rees, Stevens, Drayton, Goodger, Weetch, O'Brien, Earle, Puri, Eaton, Bowden, Lackin, Moxon

Monday 18th October 2004
Pegasus 2 Farrer & Co. 3 (league)

"So near, yet so Farrer!"

Despite three late withdrawals (Eaton unavailable due to a fall from a canoe) a strong squad of 12 made the trip to Battersea Park for the third league match of the season. Mackay returned from his travels to spearhead the attack and there was also the rather surprising/disconcerting sight of Moxon straying from his comfort-zone between the sticks to play at right-back.

The game kicked off with all-out assault from the Templars. No more than 2 minutes had been played when a cross found Mackay with his back to goal on the edge of the 6-yard box. As he layed the ball off to Weetch a Farrers arm intervened - penalty. Rees placed the ball, took three steps back and strode forward like a man about to put his side one nil up. What happened next is too painful for many to relive. I am reliably informed that several members of the Pegasus team are launching claims against Rees alleging his negligence has resulted in them suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and brought on nasty bouts of binge drinking. For the record it should be made clear that his 'effort' would have crossed the line had he not e-mailed the Farrers keeper earlier in the week to let him know the exact spot he intended to place the ball.

Despite this set back Pegasus remained in control of the game stroking the ball about before hitting the wide men, Drayton and Rees. Meanwhile Farrers looked to feed scraps to their pacey attacker who was on day release from the Copy Room. The Pegasus defence of Wise, Goodger, Stevens and Moxon comfortably coped with anything which was invariably fired their way by the Farrers keeper.

Several minutes passed and Pegasus looked to defend mid-way inside their own half. No less than four tackles in succession attempted to steal the ball from a Farrers midfielder, yet somehow he stumbled on and as he fell scuffed an unlikely 'shot' which unkindly spun into the bottom left corner. Completely against the run of play and completely undeserved, still, there's no such thing as a 'bad' goal.(0-1)

The game continued in a familiar pattern with Pegasus making chance after chance. A free-kick on the left saw O'Brien swing the ball over. Rees sprung the Farrers off-side trap and Bowden showed composure to slide the ball past the stranded goalkeeper. (1-1)

Despite their dominance Pegasus were unable to stick the ball in the onion bag and Farrers conjured a goal from nothing with a squared ball on the edge of the area picking-out an on-rushing player f or a neat finish. All was 'Farrer' from good.(1-2)

Apoplectic at the injustice of the scoreline, Pegasus surged forward with more urgency. O'Brien forced the keeper into a fine tip over the bar and Drayton had an effort cleared off the line. Yet the equaliser wouldn't come.

The half-time talk called for more of the same - there was only one team playing the football.

The second half followed the pattern of the first with O'Brien effectively controlling the game and looking to release Mackay, Weetch or Drayton. Fifteen minutes in, a ball across the edge of the Farrers penalty area saw Weetch rifle a side-foot effort to the right of the keeper who could only palm the ball into the bottom of the net. (2-2)

Surely a Pegasus winner was on the cards? Alas, it was not to be. A ball over the Pegasus defence saw the Farrers No. 9 a country mile off-side, meanwhile the assistant referee was clearly in some kind of punch-drunk daze as a result of witnessing the Rees penalty. No flag and the Pegasus keeper could only watch as the ball was placed in the left corner of the goal.(2-3)

There was still time for efforts wide from O'Brien, Stevens (header and last-minute volley), Bowden, and Mackay. While Drayton forced the keeper into yet another fine save. All too often though it was a case of Pegasus peppering the Battersea woodland. A third Pegasus goal was clearly a bridge too Farrer.

And so the game ended with Pegasus the victims of a 2-3 mugging thereby losing their unbeaten league record. At times some nice football, but not the finishing to match.

Later, the local hostelry bore witness to what has now become known as 'The O'Brien Penalty Pledge'. The plucky new-comer claims never to have missed a penalty. In a thinly-veiled attempt to secure the golden boot he was granted permission to take future penalties with the proviso that should he miss, he buys the whole team beer - confident or foolish? - Only time will tell.

Team: Rees, Stevens, Moxon, Johnny, Goodger, Wise, O'Brien, Bowden, Drayton, Weetch, Mackay, Wallis-Fahy

Tuesday 26th October 2004
Hammonds 0 Pegasus 0 (league)

Last night's match saw the much antcipated return of Pegasus' favourite left back, Cyril 'Mr Dependable' Adjei. Much missed in previous matches and even seasons it was like having a ?25 million pound player back from injury (or thats what Alex Ferguson would say). Needless to say Cyril was the first man at the ground.

Despite being apparently intelligent creatures, two barristers seem to have got confused of the start time. Mentioning no names Archie and the captain Rees [both fined a week's wages? (ed)]. Therefore Stevens sent out ten troops baying for blood in his usual 'no tactics, just hit them hard' speech.

The match kicked off and surprisingly, at least for the writer, everyone got stuck in and gave 110% (just seeing how many football phrases I can get in) and then Archie turned up! Some good moves saw Pegasus on top early in the game. However the wheels came off mid way through the first half where despite the best efforts of O'Brien, later described as world class (really should be playing for someone else), the midfield was overrun. The score remained 0-0 thanks to resolute defending by the back four and Mr Moxon.

The captain came on in the second half to rally the troops but despite good chances and a fine effort from Adrian the score remained 0-0. Superb performances from Oli (not Weetch as he forgot to turn up!), Steve, and Cyril. A final tally of foul throws 14, shots on goal 3 tells the full story.

[...and the abridged version...]
"A piss poor game dominated by long balls although the pegasus back 4 produced a solid performance to keep a clean sheet.Also nice to see the return of an old pegasus favourite,(Nice one) Cyril, who played like he'd never been [put?] away."

team: Moxon, Drewett, Adjei, Stevens, Goodger, Rees, O'Brien, Earle, Mackay, Drayton, Wallis-Fahy, Glackin

Tuesday 2nd November 2004
Nabarros 5 Pegasus 2 (league)

"We didn't underestimate them. They were a lot better than we thought" (Bobby Robson on Cameroon's football team).

"Welcome to the London Legal League website.

The London Legal League is affiliated to the Amateur Football Alliance (AFA) and plays midweek evenings from September through to March, all games being played on astroturf."

Despite this statement on their website, the League took the audacious step of staging this week's fixture on the recently re-opened Southwark Park Ice Rink. With the benefit of hindsight the gaffer would doubtless have had the squad undertake training with the London Knights Ice Hockey Club, or at the very least glance over a few videos of Wayne Gretzky at the peak of his powers.

A squad of 13 took to the 'pitch' and were greeted by the rather intimidating sight of an opposition performing practice drills before forming an inappropriate huddle just south of the center circle. There is little doubt that by the time of the 'home' fixture Nabarros will have choreographed some variation of the All Black Haka into their routine. Pegasus on the other hand resorted to the usual warm-up of simultaneously firing as many balls as possible at Moxon (thereby testing the strength of the net) while also indulging in 'Stevens baiting' (Mackay's suggestion that Stevens' recently acquired black eye was the result of someone taking exception to his choice of lifestyle unquestionably won this week's caption competition).

Anyway, the Nabarros pre-match preparations clearly had the desired effect. Two minutes gone and Nabarros won a corner. It was swung in from the Pegasus right and a powerful header on the edge of the 6-yard box put them one up. (1-0) The solicitors clearly had momentum and very quickly grabbed a second when the Pegasus off-side trap was sprung and Moxon was afforded more practice at retrieving the ball from the net. (2-0) Of course the pitch was the same for both sides, yet Pegasus were clearly unable to play anything like their normal fluid passing game with O'Brien and Bowden struggling for grip let alone possession of the ball.

The evening then got worse as the unfortunate Goodger miscued a header and the Nabarros forward was left with a simple tap-in. (3-0)

Desperate times call for desperate measures and Bowden decided to hit the solicitors/mailroom staff where it hurt - their wallets. A free kick inside the Pegasus half saw Bowden place the ball and make to play it early. Then, possessed by ungentlemanly conduct seldom seen outside of South America, he aimed the ball at a slow-retreating Nabarros player. On cue, the ref produced the mandatory yellow card and the Nabarros player was left to reflect on the number of extra pages he would have to photocopy in order to pay off the fine.

Unfortunately the Pegasus rearguard was breached again and the advancing Moxon was beaten to the ball. (4-0)

At half-time Adjei was one of the few Pegasus players to emerge with any credit - his fine runs and tracking-back deserved far more and the gaffer greeted the team with the Sir Alex Ferguson hairdrier treatment. He advised the team that they were "only playing for pride now".

Ten minutes into the second half and a Nabarros shot from distance skidded wickedly into Moxon's chest and the rebound was comfortably tucked home. (5-0)

"The Archie Mackay Show"

Five minutes later and Bowden was replaced by Wallis-Fahy with Weetch being replaced by Lackin not long after.

Nabarros were holding a very high line. A lofted ball forwards saw Mackay clean through with 40yds to goal. Those watching from the touchline would later report seeing a glint in his eye as he latched onto the bouncing ball. He took it 10yds forward and struck a volley with his right foot from 30yds high into the top of the net. Goal of the Season? - certainly a front-runner at this stage. (5-1)

Five minutes less on the clock and another through-ball found Mackay wide on the right. In his characteristically ungainly manner he pushed forward and from 25yds on the right of the area unleashed a venomous strike which gave the keeper no chance. (5-2)

It is probably worth emphasising at this point that Mackay only had four shots all night (and two of these were in the warm-up). Scoring boots rediscovered, Mackay re-assumed his enigmatic role within the club with many left wondering how he could score two goals of such quality on this evening yet be unable to hit a barn boor in the crucial match against Farrers two weeks previously.

So, it is probably best to reflect on the fact that Pegasus won the second half 2-1. All in all, bar Mackay's goals, it was probably a night worth forgetting.

team: Moxon, Weetch, Adjei, Stevens, Goodger, Rees, O'Brien, Bowden, Mackay, Drayton, Wallis-Fahy, Glackin, Wise

Wednesday 10th November 2004
Pegasus 2 Withers 1 league

7pm kick-off at Walthamstow. 6.57pm - no kit, 9 players, no keeper. The gaffer takes to his car in search of players/kit. Kit and players are retrieved from somewhere near Blackhorse Road station. Still no keeper. Events unfold as follows:

Gaffer suggests Bowden may like to wear the gloves.

Bowden replies that Stevens would perhaps be a more suitable choice in light of his advancing years and declining pace.

Stevens declines the invitation.

The gaffer shows willingness to go between the sticks - citing examples of famous keepers of diminuitive stature.

Wise retorts that the gaffer would indeed be a suitable keeper were he playing in the London Pygmy League.

As per the club's constitution voting ensues.(no, I didn't know we had one either)

One candidate - 10 votes in favour - 1 against.

Bowden wears the gloves.

(It should be noted that Bowden was not the only member of the Pegasus team wearing gloves. O'Brien, clearly only accustomed to playing on the beaches of the Copa Cabana, also wore gloves).
Pegasus took to the field with a strong wind at their backs.

Withers would've been forgiven for thinking that the Pegasus gaffer had brought along his last two clients of the afternoon to play up front. Both Eaton and Mackay have the look of someone who is out on bail despite a propensity to re-offend and with a lengthy custodial sentence more than a distinct possibility. Nevertheless, the solicitors battled hard in midfield and disrupted the Pegasus game-plan. Withers had the better of the opening exchanges with Bowden tipping a long-range effort over the bar and coming out well to smother another shot. With Goodger stuck in traffic, Baron came into the centre of defence and helped keep things tight. Puri meanwhile appeared to be playing a blend of football and rugby - sometimes it didn't seem to matter where the ball was. This had the desired effect of unnerving the Withers players.

Slowly but surely the Templars were coming into the game. With the wind many through -balls were simply too strong for Eaton and Mackay. After 25 mins a cross saw Mackay with the goal at his mercy. As if from nowhere, the Withers octogenerian keeper sprang to tip the goal-bound header over the bar. Both sides went in at the break with the game goalless. (0-0)

The first 10 mins of the second half were backs to the wall for Pegasus. With the wind in their faces, the team were finding it almost impossible to clear their lines. Wave after wave of Withers' attacks came and Bowden had plenty of opportunity to practise his goal-kicks. After this initial spell of pressure the game started to open up. Drayton was finding more space while O'Brien was providing occasional Gazza-like flair around midfield. A superb cross from Drayton found Mackay on the edge of the Withers' 6-yard box. His first attempt was blocked by the slightly confused pensioner in the Withers' goal, but even he was powerless to prevent Mackay from blasting in the follow-up. (1-0)

Both confidence and space were now on the increase for Pegasus. 5 mins later and a ball from the increasingly influential Drayton reached O'Brien 30 yds from goal. He skipped past the Withers defender as if he wasn't there and after throwing-in a couple of gratuitous jinks used his right foot (yes, I also thought he only used it for standing) and shot across the keeper into the far corner. (2-0)

Withers hadn't completely withered yet though and a free kick 40 yds out on the Pegasus right saw them play a lofted ball into the Pegasus area. Bowden scampered (rather ineffectively) back towards his goal-line as O'Brien confidently called the ball over the bar. No sooner had O'Brien made his prophecy than the ball promptly struck the crossbar before rebounding to an inexplicably off-side Withers player (good work ref).

At this stage Pegasus should have ended the match as a contest. One opportunity saw Eaton, Drayton and Mackay all unable to put the ball away from 5 yards in the space of 5 seconds. Stevens was then lucky stay on the pitch as he dragged back the Withers forward bearing down on goal.

Of course Pegasus weren't going to make life easy for themselves. With 7 mins remaining a spell of pressure from Withers saw the ball rebound inside the area and the Withers forward shot through Puri's legs past the stranded Bowden. (2-1)

Let's join the game at this stage with the ball in the Pegasus net, the score 2-1. Bowden, under instructions to waste as much time as possible, runs to retrieve the ball to help Withers to restart the game as quickly as possible. Unfortunately Bowden accidentally throws the ball in the wrong direction. The Withers forward takes exception to this misjudgement and proceeds to dish out a thorough kicking (ok, it may only have been a single kick to the shin, but there is definitely a bruise if you look closely). In a state of shock Bowden hits the turf. The Withers player is promptly red-carded.

With Withers reduced to kamikaze-style defending (i.e. running straight at the player rather than trying to win the ball) Pegasus comfortably see out the remaining minutes to finally earn the much-needed 3 points.

team: Rees, Stevens, Drayton, Eaton, Mackay, O'Brien, Wise, Bowden, Puri, Baron, Weetch, Wallis-Fahy, Goodger

Monday 15th November

Denton Wilde Sapte 2 Pegasus 4 (league)

With Moxon failing a late fitness test Pegasus were once again left short between the sticks. Jon "The Collossas" Rees put his name into the hat to replace the stricken Moxon. Initially the team were sceptical as rumours circulated that as a lad working on a farm in the valleys during his school holidays Rees used to milk the cows standing up. However, with options limited, he pulled on the famous yellow jersey.

The late withdrawals of Puri, Goodger and non-appearance of Earle saw the squad rotation policy tested to breaking point and a late call-up for local club member "Slade". The team took to the pitch to be met by the sight of referee T. King - Eaton's nemesis. This ref had sent Eaton off in 3 different leagues and clearly lacks the necessary soft-spot for him.

Nevertheless, the Templars made a good start with Wallis-Fahy (making a rare start) putting an early sighter inches over the bar and O'Brien taking control of the midfield. Meanwhile Stevens was adequately marshalling the back line of Wise, Adeji and Slade. 10 minutes gone and Mackay once again staked his claim to be labelled the 'Matt Le Tissier' of the London Legal League. The ball came across his body at chest height. He waited patiently for the ball to drop and before it bounced struck a volley from 27yds into the top left hand corner. (0-1)

Adjei in defence was demonstrating the granite-like qualities which have been missing from the Pegasus team over the past few seasons. The Dentons strike force found themselves up against a formidable wall (which was fortunate considering the precarious talent guarding the net behind them). Eaton meanwhile was working away up front using the little guile and ability at his disposal to good effect. Having been goaded as to his goal-scoring record this season he clearly had a point to prove. 5 minutes after the first goal and Eaton battered his way onto a bouncing ball which he proceeded to place over the advancing keeper and beyond the despairing defender. (0-2)

Next came the high point of the evening. The ball was spread to Wallis-Fahy on the right. He played it early into Eaton in the centre of the Dentons penalty area with his back to goal. The ball was then moved on to Drayton 10 yards further on the left and he placed the ball with his left foot into the far corner. (0-3)

Half time, and there was none of the usual criticism and vitriolic recrimination - there wasn't even a call from Stevens for more aggression. What was said remains something of a mystery (even to those who were there).

A lofted ball upfield came to Eaton. Using his weight and experience he bamboozled the two Dentons defenders with skills which have clearly been honed on many a sunday morning. There was a push and an arm came out making contact with the ball - free kick to Pegasus 3 yards out from the edge of the Dentons' area (Eaton later asked the ref why the free kick was given - the reply was that it was given for a push - strange when it was Eaton who committed both the push and the handball - referee King received an extra point for the report going to the LLL). Anyway, back to the game... free kick 3 yards out (from the edge of the box for the more pedantic amongst you!)... Popular opinion was that O'Brien should strike it, but Eaton (never one to put the interests of team-mates first) declared that he'd 'won' the free kick, so he was going to take it. Clearly tiring as he staggered up to address the ball, Eaton surprised everyone by the casual manner in which he proceeded to place the ball to the keeper's left. (0-4)

Pegasus were well on top now and Dentons could find no way through midfield. The inadvertent tactic of sitting back and catching the solicitors on the break had worked wonders. O'Brien promptly declared a 'goal fest' suggesting that we could really take this lot to the cleaners (this foolhardy statement would later earn him the honour of washing the kit this week). Cue Dentons fight-back.

The grey-haired Dentons striker seemed to take a liking to Stevens. One tussle between the pair saw the striker attempt to remove Stevens' shorts. Stevens himself suggested that perhaps the striker had been reading some of the previous reports and had found a chink in the defender's armour.

Dentons were far from Sapte and, fired up by a captain who had clearly recently attended the firm's 'motivation and team-building' in-house course, they came back at the Templars. Having had very little to do during the first half, Rees was suddenly called into action. A 25 yard shot saw him at full-stretch in palming the ball round the post. Next he was forced to tip a corner from the Dentons right onto and over the bar (something of a miracle considering his failure to bring a step ladder with him). However there was nothing he could do as the Dentons forward met a cross with a powerful header to reduce the deficit. (1-4)

Still, there was no need to worry - a 3-goal lead would surely be enough! - or would it?! A Dentons cross-field ball from their left rebounded off the covering Wise and into the path of a Dentons player who beat the increasingly diminutive Rees from 10 yards. (2-4)

With 10 minutes left Dentons now had fire in their bellies and momentum. There was a need for someone in the Pegasus side to put their foot on the ball and take the sting out of the game. Eaton had ample opportunity to do that and more in the final minutes. With Dentons pushing forward Mackay and Eaton were afforded the freedom of Mile End. How Eaton contrived to miss 3 gilt-edged opportunities in the final minutes is anyone's guess - perhaps he'd been told by the gaffer that even if he scored a hat-trick he wouldn't be able to keep the match ball as it belonged to the club? Bowden was prompted to ask the ref to send Eaton off if he missed another sitter. Eaton then missed another sitter. In retrospect it was perhaps fortunate that the ref took Bowden's comments with a pinch of salt.

The final whistle blew and the Templars claimed a crucial 3 points.

team: Rees, Stevens, Adjei, Wise, Slade, O'Brien, Mackay, Eaton, Bowden, Drayton, Wallis-Fahy

Monday 22nd November 2004

Herbert Smith 3 Pegasus 1(league)

A 7pm kick-off at Walthamstow usually spells trouble for the far-flung band of barristers that make up Pegasus. It was something of a surprise then to find no less than 13 players on time. There was even a keeper as a rejuvenated Moxon reclaimed the hallowed yellow jersey. With such a surplus of footballing 'talent' there was always likely to be a degree of rivalry in the changing room. This was borne out by one exchange between last week's 2-goal hero Eaton and '6 from 7 starts' Mackay. Eaton (possessed by the cockiness of the second-hand car dealer he should be) bet Mackay $1 that he would out-score him over the rest of the season. Mackay (with the aid of Stevens' mothball-ridden wallet) raised the stakes to $5. Faced by such financial muscle few were surprised when Eaton backed down.

The starting line-up:

Moxon

Goodger Stevens Adjei Wise

Rees Bowden O'Brien Drayton

Mackay Eaton

Wednesday 1st December

BPP 0 Pegasus 4(league)

"Awesome socks!" enthused Mackay (he continued, by now visibly welling up) "...th...th...this is the best kit I've ever worn!". There were dramatic scenes at Southwark Park, and this was even before a ball had been kicked. The squad arrived to find Alex 'the kit man' Wise had arranged the new shirts, shorts and socks neatly on pegs (unfortunately he had neglected to clean my boots, but one step at a time). 'Sea green' or perhaps 'a sprout-green/turquoise combination' - no-one knew and the team didn't seem to care. There were immediate suggestions that perhaps the shirt numbers could be arranged to spell out the LSI phone number, however this was promptly written off as it would not be feasible to combine this with the rigid 4-4-2 formation.

Pegasus took to the pitch and (after a quick kick-around to check that the kit worked) assembled for a team photo. One of the BPP players was drafted in to take up the David Bailey role. He quickly discovered that Rees was firing blanks (flat battery), but Wise was able to furnish the reluctant photographer with functioning equipment.

Of course life in the London Legal League is no smooth ride. Pegasus and BPP were ready and waiting at kick-off. The ref on the other hand was not. Both captains retreated to the changing rooms in an attempt to lure him out, but he was nowhere to be found. Various passers-by were asked if they'd like to have a go - no-one was willing (clearly Eaton's disciplinary record was more than enough of a deterrent). So, with BPP lacking a substitute, Puri was asked whether he would be prepared to take charge. He candidly confessed that he knew nothing of the laws of the game and was promptly placed in charge. (Such knowledge of the game will doubtless ensure that he is destined for refereeing greatness.)

The game got underway and it was clear from the off that BPP would have their work cut out. O'Brien (sporting a tactical change of footwear) was afforded the freedom of the centre/left/right of the park and promptly set about controlling proceedings. Likewise, Drayton was foolishly allowed time and space down the left. Pegasus effectively bossed the game from the first shout of "Go" by Puri (there was no whistle). The ball was passed along the defence, there were 'simple triangles' - it was only a shame that the cameras weren't present as the play would've made a fine training video for those looking to learn how the beautiful game should be played.

Wise was linking well with Drayton in a playing relationship not unlike that of Beckham and Neville before the former moved abroad in search other partners to play with. Meanwhile, Stevens and Goodger provided the team with a solid backbone and the dependable Adjei was looking to push forward on the right should the opportunity arise. There were chances aplenty, but the finishing touch simply wasn't there for the first 10 mins. Then, Mackay latched onto a through-ball and beat the last defender before finishing low to the keeper's right from all of 15yds. (0-1)

7 minutes later and Pegasus won a corner on the BPP left. O'Brien swings the ball in. Mackay uses an inadvisable combination of head, neck and shoulder to bundle the ball home (probably not in the coaching manual). (0-2) Despite Eaton's desperation-ridden attempts to claim this goal it was clear that Mackay was racing away with the Golden Boot. Eaton later even attempted to claim he'd scored when it was painfully obvious that his effort had missed the goal completely.

Pegasus had ample opportunity to end the game as a contest before the break. Eaton was working hard with little reward. Earle shot wide from 25yds with the BPP goal at his mercy. It was inevitable that with Pegasus failing to kill the game off BPP would have chances. One BPP effort saw a cross roll tantalisingly across the face of the Pegasus goal, while Rees was called upon to save bravely at the feet of the BPP striker.

Half time saw a Pegasus substitution which in turn meant a change of referee. Puri came on at right-back with Adjei donning the referee's black coat with no ref's kit being available. Adjei immediately provided the sort of no-nonsense refereeing the LLL has long been missing. As a result, Mackay was even seen to give himself off-side (or could it have been because Eaton was through on goal?).

Finally (and much to the relief of everyone on the pitch) Eaton got his name on the score-sheet. Put through, he was able to comfortably place the ball past the hapless keeper. (0-3) 2 minutes later and he hit the BPP bar with a near-perfect lob. Eaton however was not to be outdone by his strike partner. Using his weight to harry and hassle the BPP defenders he reached a bouncing ball inside the area and scopped it over the advancing keeper. (0-4)

More chances came and went. O'Brien was unlucky not to score from 35yds when his dipping, swerving volley was deflected behind by the recovering BPP keeper. Drayton produced the moment of the game: Bowden fed the ball into his stride 10yds inside the BPP half. He beat one man with his first touch and then went on a mesmerising run past a further 3 BPP players only to be let down by a slightly over-hit final touch which allowed the keeper to floor him and take the ball.

There was even an opportunity for tempers to flare and the ref had to warn Eaton as to his conduct (but, with only visa cards in his possession its anyone's guess how the ref would've punished Eaton).

A deserved victory against one of the division's weaker sides - bring on the crunch match against Farrers next week!

team: Rees, Stevens, Goodger, Wise, Adjei, Bowden, Drayton, Earle, O'Brien, Puri, Eaton, Mackay

Monday 6th December

Farrer & Co. 3 Pegasus 9 (nine)(league)

"At my signal,unleash Hell!"

"15 seconds" the ref said, "my watch said 15 seconds when I looked at it, so it was probably quicker than that." [Lets rewind about 30 seconds] Ref blows his whistle, Pegasus kick-off. The ball is fed to Drayton on the right who puts his foot down and races towards goal. He in turn lays a pass forward to the on-rushing Eaton who takes it into the area before firing past the Farrers keeper. (0-1) [Other than this first I won't be dwelling on Eaton's goals (I believe that is what he, and more pertinently, the rest of the team/world would want).]

3 minutes later and Eaton bags his second. (0-2) [don't know about you, but I'm bored of him already]

5 minutes more and he completes his hat-trick with an effort which trickles in off the left-hand upright. (0-3) [yawn]

Another couple of minutes, another goal - this time a volley from 15 yards out which goes in off the underside of the crossbar. (0-4) [Eaton now level with Mackay at the top of the Golden Boot table]

20 minutes gone and Pegasus lead high-flying Farrer & Co. 4-0!

Perhaps a good time to catch breath. Pegasus today welcomed Weetch back into the fold (with the gaffer being a flock-botherer that's probably an appropriate turn of phrase). Rumours were rife that he had spent the last month in the States either at "Fat Camp" or undergoing a combination liposuction/stomach- stapling procedure. Whichever it may have been it was certainly money well spent. To call him lithe would be a grave distortion of the truth, but he's definitely half the man he used to be. His new turn of pace also suggests that he may have paid a visit to Marion Jones' chemist of choice while he was AWOL.

The team lined up as follows:

Smith

Wise Goodger Stevens Adjei

Weetch Rees O'Brien Drayton

Eaton Mackay

January 10th 2005

Pegasus 2 Macfarlanes 6 (Weavers Cup)

January 17th 2005

Pegasus 1 BPP 4 (league)

Wednesday 26th January 2005
Nabarros 0 Pegasus 1(league)

This was not a match for the faint-hearted (Alex Wise, somewhere hot doing a Bush Tucker Trial - look away now).

Its official, the jury has returned its verdict......Archie 'Golden Balls' Mackay has the touch of a rapist (on the football pitch) [the club lawyers suggested the bracketed addition - Ed.]. Omens were bad as he smeared himself with lubricant and joined the Gaffer in a pre-match baby oil/deep heat ritual. It was a sign of things to come. During the subsequent warm-up Mackay desperately attempted to beat the substitute/stand-in/emergency keeper repeatedly from 12yds only to see each and every effort stopped with the need for little or no agility.

Battle commenced and it immediately became clear that the ball would spend much of the time ricocheting around the centre of the park. O'Brien and new signing St Muir, who put in a particularly impressive debut, patrolled the centre of midfield displaying a combination of finesse and jack russell-like aggression (no, not the former England wicket keeper who currently spends much of his time painting watercolours....I mean I'm sure he can be aggressive....but that wasn't the type of aggression I was envisaging - Ed.). Crowe made early in-roads as he cut inside from the left channel, however the final ball was slightly too strong for the on-rushing Eaton et al. Meanwhile, Wallis-Fahy was having a stormer on the right as he had the Nabarros left-back 'in his pocket' (this tactic was to come back to haunt him at the start of the second half when he received an elbow to the nads).

Nabarros looked like a team under pressure to grind out a result, rather than the third division leaders. Sensing this, Pegasus took the game to the solicitors. O'Brien saw a deflected shot loop over the bar and Pegasus forced several corners. An O'Brien corner from the right picked out Stevens at the back post. It's anyone's guess which he was more shocked by; the fact that he'd beaten his vertically-challenged marker to the ball, or the fact that his effort rebounded tamely off the base of the left-hand upright. Nabarros did have their moments with as many corners as the Templars. However, the Pegasus back line of Rees, Adjei, Stevens and 'Darren' looked as solid a unit as has donned the famous shirts in recent seasons. Time and time again Nabarros attacks were repelled by timely headers, brave blocks and dogged tackling. At half time the score was locked at 0-0.

The Gaffer then proceeded to break into a monologue. No one can recall exactly what was said, but the general impression was that more of the same was required.

Battle resumed and Pegasus immediately sat back and let Nabarros come at us. Wave after wave of Nabarros attack surged towards the Pegasus goal (almost certainly an inappropriate metaphor - Ed.). Yet the podgy Nabarros forward didn't even have scraps to feed off. The solicitors were becoming more and more desperate. Meanwhile Pegasus waited. (Well I did anyway - there wasn't really very much to do between the sticks).

Then it looked as if things were starting to fall apart. The Nabarros right winger played on having taken the ball out of play. The Gaffer took exception to this and, using his honed courtroom guile carefully 'ring-fenced' the player as he shouted, "You know that ball was over the line, don't you!" (He's evidently not known for his lengthy cross-examination). The Nabarros player denied any such knowledge. Rees threw the ball away. At this point certain Nabarros players suggested that perhaps they could bankrupt us into submission by earning the Pegasus players cautions - they clearly haven't heard how much Eaton earns! This indiscretion was followed by the confusing sight of the Gaffer flooring Crowe with an attempted clearance. I sank to my knees fearing the worst was on its way.

It was then that I saw it. A bright new penny glinted at me from beneath my left boot. Not being superstitious I ignored it at first. 5 minutes to go. What the hell, I picked it up and rubbed it clean. Immediately, a classy move down the left saw Tobias Eaton fly in at the near post turning the ball narrowly wide. I reached back into my pocket and rubbed again. Then I found the penny and gave that a rub too. Within seconds Mark Wallis-Fahy directed a firm header from the right side of the half-way line to the loitering Mark Stevens. He found O'Brien who in turn spotted the calamitous Mackay. The man had struggled to control the ball all day, in fact it was a wonder he could even control his bladder, but on this occasion his timing was immaculate. Mackay fed the on-rushing St Muir and he calmly slotted past the Nabarros keeper from 10yds on the right. I can't remember what happened next as I was far too busy jumping up and down whilst squealing like a bitch.

All that remained was for Pegasus to see out the remaining minutes and the table-toppers had been toppled by the tenacious Templars!

team: Bowden, Adjei, Stevens, Darren, Rees, Wallis-fahy, O'Brien, St Muir, Crowe, Eaton, Mackay

Monday 31st January 2005
Pegasus 3 Lovells 1(league)

Its only a matter of time before we launch the Pegasus TV Channel and Mox is clearly after the Garth Crooks roving reporter role, “So Archie, how did you miss that chance at the end?!”...“Didn’t want it” replies Mackay without hesitation. This exchange sums up the Pegasus front-line perfectly: brimming with self-confidence but perhaps a little bit slow (if you catch my drift).

This was as much of a ‘must win’ game as you can get in the London Legal League. The previous two weeks had seen the despair of a reverse at the hands of BPP followed by the dramatic late victory against Nabarros when the modern day Templars fought like their Crusader fore-fathers to triumph over the barbarian solicitor infidels (I’ve had a bit too much coffee today). So it was little surprise that we decided to raise the bar by omitting to inform the in-form Crowe and St Muir that we had a match. Fortunately the ever-enlarging squad and rotation policy ensured that we took to the field with 11 players for the 15th consecutive occasion this season.

As you may have gathered, Mox returned to the fray following a lengthy lay-off and it wasn’t long before he was reminded of what he’d been missing. A flowing Lovells move saw the ball laid across to the right winger in acres of space 5yds inside the Pegasus area. His left foot curler gave Mox some ball-from-net retrieval practice and within 5mins we found ourselves staring defeat square in the eye.(0-1)

There were no two ways about it, things were looking grim. The hapless Bowden was limping round the pitch like a lame mule dishing out his unique brand of ‘encouragement’, Mackay looked like he’d rather be anywhere else than standing on a sandy patch of fake grass while Mark W-F and Steve had clearly forgotten each others’ names. A brief period of recrimination/anger followed and then it happened. Mackay became so infuriated that he started running. Not just running aimlessly, no, he was after that ball. He appeared from nowhere to dispossess a startled Lovells midielder. This was exactly the catalyst Pegasus required. Game on. O’Brien started snapping into tackles like a hyena with haemorrhoids. Stevens, Rees, Adjei and Goodger formed an extremely potent barrier around Mox’s net. There was only one thing missing…and then it happened…we scored. A through-ball bobbled and bounced off Mackay. O’Brien ghosted in beside him and slotted the flick-on past the Lovells keeper. (1-1) Moxon was forced into a good save from a header.

Half-time

Pegasus came back out the hungrier of the two sides and it wasn’t long before Mackay latched on to a mistake in the Lovells back line to calmly slot into the empty net.(2-1)

We were sitting back - at times Eaton was almost a second goalkeeper - then catching them on the break and it was working. Time and time again Lovells pumped balls into the final third of the Pegasus half and time and time again the defence won headers or put a foot in. The spirit of the Nabarros match had returned. O’Brien pushed forward and beat the last defender 30yds from goal on the left. He surged onwards and neatly placed the ball into the far corner with his trusty left foot.(3-1) Game over and (bar a Moxon tip-over) Pegasus sat back more comfortable for the final minutes having avoided a potential banana-skin. Having said this, there was still time for Bowden to twice miss, slicing wildly from 45yds with the goal at his mercy and Mackay to skew a shot to the right when clean through. The lesson from today is that it’s all very well having fancy feet in midfield, but you need to convert this into something in the final third of the pitch.

team: Moxon, Rees, Stevens, Adjei, Goodger, Wallis-Fahy, O’Brien, Bowden, Drayton, Mackay, Eaton

Monday 7th February 2005
Taylor Wessing 1 Pegasus 8 (league)

There are few things in life as odious as a smug Welshman. Not only were the team presented with this sight on Monday at Walthamstow, but this particular Welshman was offering to take us all to Wales. Pre-season there had been talk of tournaments in Monaco playing against the cream of the European legal profession. Now the Gaffer had quite literally moved the goalposts to a patch of astroturf ‘a stones throw’ from the Millenium Stadium. 14 Templars crowded into the changing room and, with talk of summer tours around the infamous leek fields of Cardiff on the back-burner, the Gaffer began his team-talk. Fortunately for his clients he clearly saves his thinking for the day job. He had failed to notice that Taylor Wessing were changing not 2 feet away over a piece of ply wood. Whether the Pegasus team talk served as a masterclass in intimidation remains to be seen, however, only 9 Wessing players made it as far as the pitch. So, the Gaffer decided to allow Wessing to dip into a temporarily re-opened transfer window to complete the loan signing of Crowe.

Starting line-up:

Moxon

Goodger Baron Stevens Rees

Bowden O’Brien St Muir Drayton

Mackay Eaton





Crowe (well, he was on the pitch!)

Monday 14th February 2005
Pegasus WO Hammonds WD (league)

4.56pm Hammonds phone.

4.57pm Pegasus 3 points better off.

4.58pm Gaffer tells the troops to stand down.

[see above report] "Hammonds will offer a much stiffer challenge" - Given the date it seems that apparently they took the decision to present this challenge to their girlfriends instead.

Monday 21st February 2005
Pegasus WO Withers WD (league)

10.22am Withers phone.

10.23am Pegasus 3 points better off.

4.27pm Gaffer tells the troops to stand down.

Apparently they withered with 4 or 5 players being laid low with flu.

S'pose it makes the reports a little less demanding

Maybe we should have a mid-season team-building trip to La Manga?

Monday 7th March 2005
Pegasus 0 Herbert Smith 3(league)

"The Barber of Seville has frequently been written up as the greatest of all comic operas. Beethoven admired it (despite his fury that everyone in Vienna was whistling Rossini's tunes and not his). Verdi thought it 'the most beautiful opera buffa there is' and there are loads of quotes from nineteenth and twentieth-century critics hyping it up as 'Rossini's masterpiece', 'the model comic opera', etc. This is not quite true....and so on [....apparently Act I is twice as long as Act II and surprisingly has more than twice as many notes as Act II.]"

Just as the 'gloriously funny' medical quartet broke into song Pegasus trudged from the Walthamstow astroturf, dreams of promotion shattered. Meanwhile, in an Opera House far far away, Archie Mackay reclined, humming along to the music.

Two games left and the Templars were faced with the biggest test of the season - the return match against the Herbies. When the going gets tough, the tough get........tickets to the opera? Despite an emotive blend of harmony and diction, very few people would be foolish/poncey enough to alight from the rollercoaster ride that is 'an evening with Pegasus' in favour of Rossini (perhaps excepting Weetch). Fewer still would be caught confessing such a reason for their absence. Archie Mackay has striven all season to portray himself as the tough-tackling centre forward who lives for the thrill of the goal. Little did we know that he is actually a connossieur of the arts. Stories are now emerging of seven years of classical training at the Royal Ballet School before one triple salco too many brought on a life-altering fractured toe-nail. Ballet's loss was the Bar's gain. But I digress. Also absent was the scourge of the centre half, Tobias 'I'm not fat or old, its the floodlighting' Eaton. Coincidence, I hear you ask, that both strikers should be absent the same week? The Eaton/Mackay partnership has been something of a love/hate relationship, but it has blossomed, yeilding 23 goals this season. Surely only the basest of rumourmills would suggest that they were spotted leaving the Royal Opera House together late on monday evening?

So, all change on the park. Newton made his annual pilgrimage to the Douglas Eyre Sports Centre, whilst Alex 'Crocodile Hunter' Wise looked to integrate himself into an unnervingly successful side. With Adjei and Gerry also absent Pegasus found themselves very much down to the bare bones. Add to this Bowden taking to the pitch in dire need of a shite and you have the makings of a disaster.

A change of personnel meant a change in formation. The gaffer closed his eyes, shuffled the pack, and came up with a 4-5-1. With half his Lotto numbers for this week chosen, the match kicked off. It was soon evident that the Herbies had strengthened as the season has progressed. Their recruitment of Copy/Mail Room staff has clearly revolved around the need to augment their football team. Despite this, the Pegasus back-line of Rees, Goodger, Stevens and Bowden held firm. Time after time the Herbies were caught off-side thanks to one of the most able linos to grace the LLL. Moxon was having a relatively quiet game, however, Newton was far too isolated playing the 'Andy Johnson role' upfield. Despite having 5 across midfield, the Herbies were afforded time aplenty in the centre of the park.

There was good work down the Pegasus left by Rees and Drayton with O'Brien and St Muir drifting like a pair of Zidanes. However Pegasus were up against a solid Herbert Smith with the third division title in their sights. There were moments of magic from Pegasus, but Newton was far too isolated as the formation and a general lack of match-fitness saw attacks fizzle out. There can be no doubt whatsoever that the moment of the first half saw Bowden pick the ball up at right-back in his own half before pinging a 50yd pass to Drayton on the left wing. Unfortunately even this could not galvanise a sustained period of Pegasus pressure. In fact the Templars were lucky to keep the solicitors out; a Herbert Smith corner from the Pegasus right eluded both Moxon's punch and his ambitious call of "keeper's". The ball bounced goalwards with Rees on the line happy to allow it to deflect away off the upright. Moxon was tested later in the half when he was forced to hurry back to tip over a 35yd lob. Other than that, the first half left the lino with a sore arm, and any observers with the impression that this was a tight affair with Herbert Smith offering more in the final third.

h/t

As the second half got underway it quickly became apparent that Pegasus had a new strategy passing the ball around in their own half. Basics first: there were simple triangles, then the defence formed a rather ambitious hexagon involving Rees Stevens and Drayton before Rees decided to mix things up by including Moxon. Unfortunately the ball never made it to the keeper. Rees "kinda hooked it" and the Herbert Smith striker made hard work of rounding MOxon and placing the ball into the unguarded net.(0-1) Alan Hansen would've had his head in his hands.

Deflated, Pegasus tried to rouse themselves, but to no avail. Moxon made a great save at the striker's feet, but even that couldn't lift the side. The manner of the goal had crushed the spirit and it wasn't long before Bowden declined a sliding challenge and a second Herbert Smith goal was eventually bundled in. (0-2) Jon 'The Tinkerman' Rees brought on self-proclaimed wing-back, Alex Wise, with Wallis-Fahy left to resume his ball boy duties. There was still time for Newton to wheel out his party piece as he took a corner whilst no-one was looking. Rees almost picked the ball up but fortunately realised what was afoot and drove in a cross. Soon after Newton struck a volley a foot wide of the left-hand upright as the Templars sought to drag some pride out of the night. Bowden retrieved the ball down by the Pegasus corner, beat the striker one way, then the other before sending a clearance upfield. This seemed to restore a little pride. Unfortunately it was only momentary as the ball was promptly played back up field and placed in the onion bag. (0-3) Drayton was unlucky late on as his left-foot shot went narrowly wide following a great run and through-ball.

So, the season draws to a close with a whimper. The better team won on the day despite Pegasus having the outstanding individuals on the pitch amongst their ranks in the shape of O'Brien and St Muir. It's impossible to think the scoreline wouldn't have been different had the likes of Mackay, Eaton and Adjei been available. So, we regroup and prepare for a tough final match against Dentons in 2 weeks time with 3rd place up for grabs.

[Incidentally, the club secretary received a phone call from Nabarro Nathanson early the next morning. They were desperate to know our score and almost inconsolable when told we'd lost - let's hope they realise that 2 sides go up!]

team: Rees, Stevens, Moxon, Goodger, Bowden, Wallis-Fahy, O'Brien, St Muir, Weetch, Drayton, Newton, Wise

Tabloid style ratings

Jon Rees - but for one moment of madness a solid game at left back then right midfield 6.5

Mark Stevens - predictably strong in the air, did little wrong (apart from whinging about his swollen finger in the pub after) 7.5

Steve Goodger - moments of authority punctuated by the odd lapse, overall a good performance 7

Guy Bowden - in and out of the game, couple of impressive air-shots 6.5

Andy Moxon - back to his best, two outstanding saves, not much he could've done about the goals 7.5

Henry Drayton - Inner Temple's David Ginola. Always a threat going forward (soon to star in a shampoo ad?) 7

Ed O'Brien - worked tirelessly (clearly aware his contract's up for renewal in the summer) and showed plenty of aggression to match the finesse 8

Leon St Muir - popped up all over the park but just couldn't get that clear sight of goal 8

Oliver Weetch - lacked match fitness, in fact lacked fitness, but made the best of what was at his disposal 6

Jack Newton - confessed post-match that he 'actually sprinted twice' - a good effort on his return from injury 7.5

Mark Wallis-Fahy - the month off seemed to have taken its toll 6

Alex Wise - didn't do alot wrong when he came on 6

Archie Mackay - apparently had a delightful evening despite a couple of notes being a semi-tone out 2.5

Tobias Eaton - managed to stay on his feet. Hopes to move from the nursery slopes tomorrow 3

Monday 21st March 2005
Denton Wilde Sapte 5 Pegasus 2(league)

For the first (and last) time this season Pegasus took to the field with 10 men. With our highest league position of recent seasons in the bag some 5 players chose to make themselves unavailable on the day. By the time I arrived (unexpected and uninvited) 25mins into the game, Ed O’Brien was doing an uncanny impression of Skippy while Cap’n Rees filled the Moxon-shaped void between the sticks. At this stage Pegasus were a goal down – I’m reliably informed it was scrappy. With Eaton evidently having surrendered the golden boot, Mackay gamely plugged away up-front joined by the one-legged O’Brien. Stevens occupied a central midfield berth as the gaffer conjured an attacking line-up from the rag-tag bunch at his disposal. Fortunately, the Dentons side were proving to be something of an over-hyped entity with their league position perhaps flattering the side they put out for the final game of the season. Nevertheless, at half-time Pegasus were glad to go in 1-0 down.

The second half kicked-off and the Templars quickly went 2-0 down, then 3-0 as Dentons made light work of a tactically naive Pegasus back line. Evidently it is very difficult to catch their strikers off-side when the one and only referee’s assistant is busy laying down the law at the other end of the pitch. Perhaps the defence (led by the inimitable Wallis-fahy) saw this as one challenge which had to be tackled face-on?

Dentons had a 3 goal start before we took off our blindfolds. A long throw from specialist long-thrower Bowden caused mayhem in the Dentons penalty area. Mackay swivelled on a six-pence (someone should really clear them from the pitch) before firing the ball goalwards. Mark ‘The Treasurer’ Stevens acted decisively. He desperately tried to manoeuvre his aging shell out of the way but any semblance of nimbleness had long since deserted him. His only option was to allow the ball to ricochet off his foot and he banked his second goal of the season. 1-3

Soon after the kick-off Bowden made his only telling contribution of the evening by dispossessing a Dentons midfielder on the halfway line. Drayton picked up the ball and drove forward finding Skippy O’Brien on the right of the Dentons goal. His left-foot cross arrowed invitingly towards the far post where Mackay was at hand to finish off a delightful move with his head. 2-3

The crowd (2 Dentons substitutes) were on tenterhooks. Would this makeshift Pegasus side pull an unlikely victory out of the bag? No. A couple of defensive lapses later (with a hint of off-side) and the Templars were staring down the barrel of a 2-5 defeat. Disappointing? Certainly, but this was always billed as a re-building season. Fourth place, and having beaten every side apart from the champions, it can’t be classed a disaster. Ambitious plans for summer fixtures and an extensive pre-season mean the next campaign may well be the year of the flying horse.

team: Rees, Stevens, Adjei, Goodger, Wallis-fahy, Slade, Edward from 1itl, Bowden, O’Brien, Drayton, Mackay