Cookham Dean FC 2
Wendover FC 1

November the First, the last bats fluttering disconsolately across the blustering open fields of the exposed pitch; occasional charcoal-cloaked shadows cackling wickedly, evaporating into the dim tree-lined alleyways. Overhead, the dark clouds jostled ominously.

From the rain lashed club house the warm yellow light glowed a ready brek welcome, as the girls fired up the tea urn and laid out the “brightly coloured “Eeek” and “Boo” Halloween cakes to guard against any lingering evil spirits. Outside the boys stood firm in the horizontal downpour, grimly readying themselves for what promised to be a challenging game against an athletic looking Wendover.

With the kick-off both teams were shouting, loudly encouraging each other against a bitter wind. These are the days when the lads earn every penny of their millions (of coloured cake sprinkles at full time).

Although playing with the strong wind on their side in the first half the lads were on the back foot early on; struggling for purchase on the greasy wet pitch, Wendover pushing us back into our half as we snatched at the ball in a slow, windy, muddy mêlée… suddenly Wendover punched through, pulling Tom out of goal for his first strong save of the game.

This seemed to perk a lethargic Cookham team into action, Paul Hubbard bursting up the wing, passing to Tom Humphrey, who quickly tapped to Ben Green. With a jig and a twist, Ben lobbed a perfect cross into Luke Banerji, who controlled and shot in one seamless movement for the first goal of the game, and a lucky one for Cookham coming as it did against the run of play.

One goal up, ten minutes into a largely Wendover dominated first half, and the Cookham lads started to wake up as we once again pulled their keeper right out and forced him to make a save well outside his box.

Wendover however were completely unbowed by the early setback, and continued to boss the game; Cookham were uncharacteristically standing off the challenges today and allowing Wendover into the game over and over again resulting in a lot of penetrating movement well into the Cookham half only occasionally ebbing back to the halfway line.

One such counter from Cookham drew a free kick, to which Ben stepped up confidently. From just past the halfway line, intelligently playing with the wind advantage, he fired in a curving, searing and unsaveable shot for Cookham’s second goal.

Wendover could have been forgiven for feeling a little hard done-by after their fast moving aggressive and open play, which had already caused more than a few dangerous moments for our lads, but instead they once again came out strong, continuing to boss the first half with fluid play constantly pushing well into the Cookham half.

Occasional counters found us back at Wendover, Tom stepped up his game with exhortations coming loudly from the coaching box, belligerently owning and turning the forceful Wendover lads, breaking through the tight packed red shirts running on and tapping to Luke for another close shot on Goal.

Wendover were back at us again; and after looking dangerous all game this time they made it count, with Cookham just not closing the tide of forward movement quickly enough, Wendover chalking up a well-deserved goal.

The rest of the first half was more of the same, Wendover pushing up and keeping the game in the Cookham half; representing a constant threat, with Cookham occasionally stepping up their game, Tom, Luke, and PJ Hampton threading some quick passes and strong challenges together, then Ollie Madelin, Jack Stemp, Ben, and PJ running the ball up for a close one.

As the half drew to a close Paul Hubbard took ownership of the left flank with some deft footwork, good pace, and great anticipation; on the other wing PJ starting to harry the opposition more as the lads finally started to get into the game, forcing one or two Wendover saves.

The half-time team talk in the lee of the bushes, sheltered from what had become a bitter storm of howling rain, had its desired impact. The boys were now very obviously making their presence felt at last; pushing for every possession, chasing every second touch, and closing down the Wendover players. Meanwhile Wendover had obviously been told (based on first half performance) that this game was theirs for the taking, and that a little more effort would unlock a win.

Despite Cookham stepping up their game in the second half, this time Wendover were playing with the significant wind advantage; a telling difference as this hard, keen, and fit team laid into us hungrily. Thankfully Cookham were challenging and charging down every ball, constantly harrying and hassling.

Wendover could almost taste another goal, on their toes in this muddy quagmire, pulling Tom out for a magnificent sliding tackle, then again for a diving save.

The stands this morning were rather emptier than usual, the few hardy perennials just able to discern pink faces pressed up to the steamy windows of the warm clubhouse as the howling wind was accompanied by the occasional “ping-thud” and curse of umbrellas being blown inside-out.

Suddenly Wendover were back through again, forcing another athletic save from Tom looking confident today, then another shot on goal, with yet another nimble save; Cookham now collapsing occasionally after a hard game against this strong opposition and into the bitter wind.

PJ was still pushing hard up the wing, Tom and Paul dancing through the opposition assertively – but Wendover really wanted a win today, and each attack was turned around with a counter, forcing one corner then another, and another, and then a fourth and fifth in quick succession in the fading moments of a tough and confrontational second half.

Horrific conditions, a short-handed Cookham team of just 11 men with no substitutions, on a tough and cloggy pitch. The pace of the game was taxing from beginning to end. Throughout the first half Cookham gave Wendover too much room and during the second, facing the wind disadvantage, struggled again to hold them at bay; despite much tighter play. The few tough spectators were counting every minute of the half with bated breath, waiting for the equaliser from Wendover that thankfully for us never came.

Sometimes things go your way, as they did today, with Cookham taking a win in challenging conditions against a committed team of skilful and fit lads.