Write when we're winning...we only write when we're winning

Maroons hold out against 9 men!
Jamberoo 1 Maroons 2

Yep, you read it right, we bravely held on against the 9 men of Jamberoo!
It didn't start that way mind, the Maroons (strengthened by the absence of TH10 :-]) started off against a full compliment of Jamberoo players. We actually played well (it's true I kid you not), knocking the ball about and playing with an unaccustomed assuredness (is that a word?).

Eventually this led to the Maroons taking the lead, albeit the goal being the result of a hideously sliced shot off their defender. Not long after it was two Dan(?) slotting home after a nice move. The team was playing with confidence and it should have been three as the ball landed to an unmarked Maroons player at the far post. Unfortunately the player in question wasn't Harry Redknapp's missus, Sandra, and the ball was lashed against the Jamberoo crossbar. I'm guessing his earlier booking by an over zealous referee had affected his composure :) As an aside, the booking was for firstly, daring to (politely) question his decision to award a goal kick and secondly, for leaving the ball where it was near the corner flag instead of kicking it back to the keeper.

Not long after that, instead of being 3-0 up, a mistake at the back - as a through ball was allowed to bounce - and Jamberoo were back in at at 2-1. Jamberoo possibly finished the half better but overall couldn't complain about being behind.

Into the second half, Vinny brings down their man from behind and is promptly grabbed round the neck by a Jamberoo player half his size (go figure). The net result, a second Maroon booking (this time for Vinny) and a red card for the Jamberoo midget.

With the spare man the Maroons looked to take advantage, instead it was a Jamberoo side, spurred on by their chagrin at the inefficient referee, who looked the more dangerous. Some last ditch defending, particularly by Graeme and Vinny (both clearing goal bound attempts) kept Jamberoo at bay.

Shortly after, a Jamberoo player put his shot wide, cursed loudly about his effort (quite frankly I'm amazed he didn't shout "oh golly gosh, I've put my shot wide, what a complete buffoon I am" rather than a four letter expletive beginning with 'F'). As he saw the ref reaching for his card, he commented "oh **** off", in a gesture that was undoubtedly one of disbelief at the impending booking. That second comment saw the yellow card turn to a red one.

With Jamberoo now down to 9 men the Maroons took complete dominance of the game. Well ok, a corner was forced, but aside of that, it seemed as if with every player that got sent off Jamberoo got better! By the end I think it was a relieved maroons side that saw the wooden spoon look a bit less likely.

A game that was never dirty had two yellow and two red cards. Mark Clattenburg eat your heart out, you have some way to go to be that bad!