Tuesday, 25 November 2008

Racing Bats 24/11/08

CROWD TROUBLE AS BATS DELIGHT & DELUDE

THE Bats went into week seven brimming with confidence and a sparkle not seen since the last ban on Sunday drinking. The team had one notable and continued absentee in Mr. Hodgson Snr with doubts now being cast over the centre backs career. All our hopes and thoughts go out to Timothy and the resurrection of his days as a major player.

Dads Army undertook their typical tedious tactical display, which the Bats deciphered quickly and set about undoing. It was not long before they struck and drew first blood. The first strike coming from Andy Hep going straight for the jugular with fatal effects. Again a confident team passed well and moved quickly often leaving the D’Army in disarray. Solid defending backed up the front line and it was not long before a 2nd and 3rd goal followed and the game was put well out of reach from the opposition.

Hepburn Snr and now more appropriately named ‘the Cat’ collected his first clean sheet of the season. Athletic pouncing, prancing and superb shot stopping reactions now install him as a prime contender for the No. 1 spot. The keeper also being responsible for two fine assists and constantly keeping his boyz vocally aware of the fast paced game. Although quoted post match as saying ‘he prefers the ruff and tumble of outfield play’ he has added another dynamic to this ever more resourceful team.

In comparison to the first match the second display had undertones of arrogance followed very quickly by shock and what can only be described as hapless superciliousness. Rather like a proud Stag stood defiant in the Scottish highlands after an over zealous rutting season, but unbeknown to the Stag he has 5 rifle sights trained on his ass ready to kill. And kill they did!

In the space of two minutes the Bats were three nil down. The keeper later announced he had given up after the first goal. However it was not until the slow motion replay that a story unfolded of perilous infighting and disdain that certain team members are inflicting on others. The self proclaimed Captain Ando was quite clearly seen and heard by members of the crowd bating the keeper and destroying his soul. From the back to the front the team collapsed. 5 – 0 down at half time. Two substitutions brought some life and respect to the second half, although Dynamo Dimo was so ill he failed to notice he had been substituted and Samsonite taken off due to shock. Four goal Felgate and the Self proclaimed Captain Ando took the field with some hopes of revival. But the crowd told a different story with drawn out deathly silences followed by booing everyone time Ando touched the ball. As the match entered the final minutes one goal was all that could be salvaged.

To end an indifferent night the final story of the day coming from the fans as they roared out ‘Are you Gallas in disguise?’. Ando seemed not to care as he petulantly left the pitch. A tunnel fracas, flare throwing and damage to the Wandle Stadium led to an emergency club statement. Soon after and live from the press office in GJ’s we were left with no misunderstanding that the Club are taking the power back by stripping him of his captaincy and his porno collection. Rumours are rife of an appointment in the coming weeks but the Club stated they will take their time and a decision will be made in true x-factor style (please note new voting system).

Once again a memorable evening for all but real signs the foundations are getting stronger and stronger.


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Racing Bats Week 6 - 17/11/08

News in brief:

RACING BATS REVIVAL
The Racing Bats responded to calls from senior management and fans and demolished Spartak Mojo with a truly bold and defiant display. Four Goal Hero Damo linked well during his second start of the campaign. Not since Four Goal Felgate have the Bats experienced such striking prowess. An outstanding overall team performance excites all of positive things to come. The Bats second display of the evening was marred by fatigue and adrenaline burn out from their Mojo Victory. Nuff said.



PLAYER------Apps---Goals---Assists---GK Apps---Clean sheet---Dis
D.Vorobtsova---13--------6-------3-----------0---------0---------------2
A.Hodgson-------1-------0-------1-----------0---------0---------------0
T.Hodgson-------0-------0-------0-----------0---------0--------------0
S.McCartney-----10-------3-------3-----------3----------0--------------0
R.Felgate--------13------11-------5-----------0---------0--------------0
J.Hepburn-------11-------2-------5-----------2--------1---------------0
A.Hepburn-------8-------2--------3----------5---------1--------------0
D.Hepburn-------10-------2--------2----------3---------0---------------0
D. Stalley---------7-------9--------3----------0---------0--------------0

Friday, 14 November 2008

Director of Football: Half Season Report

As we reach the mid way point of the inaugural season I would like to congratulate all of the Racing Bats for avoiding relegation and taking down Spartak Mojo on goal difference. Despite some poor results and some very poor results we scored a healthy amount of goals, the leagues second top scorer! Unfortunately they were some what allocated to one or two games of free scoring madness. And unfortunately again that free scoring madness was politely extended to our competitors. You win some, you lose some.

Mary’s and Stanley depart our league and we are joined by Video Cali and Blue Mondays. Both of which have a leaky defensive record with 20 goals each against them, compare this to our 30 and we still have some work to do. This next season should see some notable returns to the squad with Big Hodge nearing full fitness and Damo finally finding his touch. The whereabouts of Little Hodge are currently unknown but tabloid press suggestions of a buddhist alcohol rehab retreat in darkest surrey are probably not far from the truth.

In my role as Director of Football I have been confidentially approached by a number of our team who have mentioned moral, tactical discipline and fitness as areas we need to improve on. Fitness is not my main worry but the preparation for the match is! Mentioning no names I’d like to raise a few key quotes that tell quite a story:

· “Oooh check me out I’m on gardening leave and smoked a joint at lunchtime” (Lesbian accent)
· “I just loved the first slide tackle so much I could not stop the second one man” (Ukrainian accent)
· “Urm yeah sorry fella, I just had 6 bottles of vino blanco with borko at lunch...chin up” (Watford accent)
· “I’m blowing out of my arse” (another Watford accent)
· “Back to the keeper, back to the keeper.....bloody listen next time”
· “Is anyone tracking back..............???”
· “F#ckin Sweet Man”



Putting that to one side I’d like to raise some positives and my top 5 key moments that helped define our season:

1. The Table Top
2. Danger Dimo (to be encouraged discreetly)
3. 4 Goal Felgate
4. Self proclaimed ‘Save of the Century’
5. Post Match De-brief and Cocktails


For the coming season I must ask for more commitment to less pre-match drinking and better defending with two touch pass and move. Particular efforts need to be applied to defending and man to man marking. Anyway we know all this so cheers and looking forwards to smashing Mojo next season with number one spot being the only option.

MUST BEAT MOJO....!!!

Laters and chin up.
The Cat

PLAYER------Apps---Goals---Assists---GK Apps---Clean sheet---Dis
D.Vorobtsova---9--------6-------3-----------0---------0---------------2
A.Hodgson-------1-------0-------1-----------0---------0---------------0
T.Hodgson-------0-------0-------0-----------0---------0--------------0
S.McCartney-----6-------3-------3-----------3----------0--------------0
R.Felgate--------9--------9-------3-----------0---------0--------------0
J.Hepburn-------8--------2-------3-----------1--------0---------------0
A.Hepburn-------6-------1--------2----------3---------0--------------0
D.Hepburn-------7-------2--------2----------2---------0---------------0
D. Stalley---------2-------3--------2----------0---------0--------------0

Thursday, 6 November 2008

Racing Bats week 4 03/11/08

FANS RUE MISSED CHANCES AS BATS LOSE TO RIVALS - FOR A SECOND TIME!

Racing Bats 2 Spartak Mojo 4
Racing Bats 7 Dad's Army 1

AS RUMOURS were rife that Bats were looking at moving to the Tuesday league in the hope of finding easier opponents – the team once again followed an average performance with an inspiring win.

After an encouraging start to the first game against old rivals MOJO Bats managed to flop to defeat with talk that the turning-point may have been the early substitution on solid defender Duncan Hep.

BATS started the game looking energised and up-for-it and a number of passing movements saw them on equal terms for much of the clash. But after a hilarious miss from James Hep, which saw him get so far underneath the ball in front of goal that he backspun it weekly over the bar, Bats were on the back foot. Embarrassingly, and for the second week running, MOJO’s experience shone through in the latter parts of the match to seal them the victory.

The second game saw a debut start for ‘rumoured to have played up front for England Youths with Peter Crouch’ Damo Stalley – who advised the other players that “two touch football is the way forward.” The advice heeded and before long Bats players were knocking in goals left right and centre – with the ex-international himself netting a fine hat trick. The best of the efforts came from Sir Robert Felgate who rocketed home a marvellous right-footed half volley from well inside in own half. The ecstasy turned to winces however as Felgate thought it a good idea to slide on his knees in celebration – ripping them to shreds in the process.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was the arrival on the goals table of ‘soon to be ex-manager’ Jimbo ‘The Cat’ Hepburn who in the midst of a slip blasted home a left foot beauty before claiming after the game “I realised that if I didn’t slip over I wouldn’t be able to direct it in!”

Another week, another up and down performance from the Bats who are now looking to tighten up their game, and particularly their defence, in time for next season.

PLAYER------Apps---Goals---Assists---GK Apps---Clean sheet---Dis
D.Vorobtsova---7--------4-------3-----------0---------0---------------2
A.Hodgson-------1-------0-------1-----------0---------0---------------0
T.Hodgson-------0-------0-------0-----------0---------0--------------0
S.McCartney-----5-------3-------3-----------2----------0--------------0
R.Felgate--------7--------9-------2-----------0---------0--------------0
J.Hepburn-------6--------1-------3-----------1--------0---------------0
A.Hepburn-------5-------1--------2----------2---------0--------------0
D.Hepburn-------5-------2--------1----------2---------0---------------0
D. Stalley---------2-------3--------2----------0---------0--------------0