This weekend saw a feast of football played across the different leagues, divisions and cups.

The menu for the majority of these should have been quite straightforward, but step forward grit and determination, the will to win and poor managerial decisions and the menu changes oh so much.

Take yesterday –

The Main course included the Barnsley Chop, a particular delicacy at the west end of the M62.

And for a sweet, The Humble Pie, loved in North London and Titchmarsh.

Sometimes, it just doesn’t go how you think, you tinker and it costs you, you make a decision though and you have gotta live by it.

Todays game was about revenge – In a nice way. GD were the only team to have managed to topple Thrapston in the league program this year, and the lads turned up, 15 strong to try to put that record straight. Within the team today were Kyle Oliver returning from injury, and Josh Calton-Weekes making his debut in the middle of the park.

We knew we would create chances today and the first of these came within the first few minutes when Devante Hodgson, the league and clubs top goal scorer went close, hitting the post from the angle. Additional chances were made, and spurned or saved by the GD keeper, when it looked like Thrapstons meal was to be ruined. GD progressed up the right wing, the cross came over with both of the Thrapston centre backs out of position, and the ball was slotted home. This was not in the script, This starter did not taste good, but it was still early doors and we were making chances. It took maybe 30 minutes in for the next course to be delivered, and Thrapston scored 2 great goals in quick succession from Luke Rivett and Josh Ledward who had just come on as sub. This was more like it, a parent was heard to say that the flood gates would open now, but credit to GD, they battled hard, played the high ball well and got to half time just one goal adrift. The second half had started and GD got to play down the hill, there was something niggling at us about the main course, we were winning, but not by enough, and it finished with a bitter taste when a back pass from Sam Gallagher failed to get near to Alex Vitue in the Thrapston goal, and the ball was gratefully slotted home by a GD Forward.

Siege mentality, substitutes rotated, and men pushed forward, Connor Morson was immense back in midfield, not afraid to put his body on the line for his team mates. Chances were created by the bucket load, bars hit, great saves from the GD keeper, Four ofF the line clearances in one attack, but still we couldn’t score. Was the omen about to befall us ( We only win when Devante Hodgson scores ). We were lucky not to go behind, with 2 brilliant saves from Alex Vitue, but from the second of these, the ball was rolled out quickly to Sam Gallagher, onto Josh Ledward, Passed to Luke Rivett who ran half the pitch to cross, shoot, whatever into the back of the net. What a sweet ending and well deserved on chances created.

For the observer, this was a great match, the skill and speed of Thrapston thwarted by the effort and passion shown by GD.

Todays meal was not perfect, but I would take it over yesterdays offerings any day.

Thrapston MOM – Connor Morson.

Full Time – Great Doddington 2 – Thraspton Town Juniors 3.