Northampton Real Dragoon 11
South Rushden VFC              0 
 
Despite the fear of playing in a swamp under a deluge of torrential rain, we arrived at Northampton`s Racecourse, and in true Sunday football tradition, we changed in the car-park, the facilities being closed until further notice. As it turned out, the skies were kind, and the pitch was better than expected, except the
Somme-esque penalty areas.

After fifteen minutes Real started to get the measure of us and boss midfield, feeding their strikers who ran behind our defence who had pushed up to condense the play. The goals went in with depressing regularity, and it was a baptism of fire for debutant `keeper Steve Young, who we had only met ten minutes earlier in the car-park! In the first half, he made a world-class save with his feet, and in the second tipped a rasping drive over the bar that would have had even Hansen drooling. His son even ran the line for us!  

After a telling off from the Gaffer, Roy Boulton, we started the second half defending a bit deeper, and looked a bit more composed. Jamie Downs and Vinny Patrick worked hard in midfield, but the heavy pitch eventually wore down their stamina. We gave a debut to Kenny Watson (Jack & Oliver's dad) in defence, and Jamie Pedlar`s dad, Daren, who showed a turn of pace up front.  Both gave a good account of themselves. We created a few chances and the odd shot on goal, but Real`s experience of playing together on a regular basis, and better general fitness were our undoing. Next season they hope to enter an open-age league and I suspect that they will do well. Real were gracious hosts and Gavin Middlewood hopes to arrange a friendly with us in the near future.

Many thanks to everyone who made the journey to Northampton.

Let`s hope we can do better in our next fixture.
 
South Rushden Vets:
Young, Pratt, Dench, Kirkwood, Watson, Brawn, Downs, Patrick, Pilcher, Payne, Gibbs.
Subs: Pedlar, Chambers.