A tough and scrappy home test saw our tremendous Titans prevail against challenging Chelmsford. A solitary first half goal gave us some comfort shortly before the jelly baby break, coming from only our sixth short corner: Captain Jatin taking over striking duties, demoting Welsh international Joergen to the right channel, Peds remembering he could get an assist if he actually stopped an injection, and a true Captain’s strike – truly rising, that is, possibly above the backboard at the goal-line, but nevertheless allowed by the visitors’ umpire.

Fuelled by sugary snacks, early in the second half Grandad Nigel demonstrated his characteristically quick thinking and quick feet, skipping away from defenders after a foul within the 23, driving at the D and laying the ball off for a teutonic, Joergenesque snapshot, wrong-footing the keeper by accidentally sneaking inside the near post, not the far one as our resident England international Howie keeps imploring us in training.Cheeky Chelmsford rallied with a period of sustained pressure resulting in an away goal from a well executed zig-zag short corner.

Not quite squeaky bum time, but the visitors were certainly frisky in the last 10 minutes, buoyed by the possibility of an equalising goal. But Chelmsford’s demise was confirmed with a Peds wondergoal after he intercepted an opposition pass on our 23, carried the ball 50m at some pace (there was some pace) into enemy territory, teasing three defensive midfielders on the way, executing an incisive 1-2 with Joergen on the edge of the D, then coolly sitting the goalie down with some stick-trickery before hitting the roof of the goal. Delirium in the stands and ecstatic celebrations on the pitch.

Great teas and chat with the opposition in our splendiferous clubhouse afterwards. That’s what it’s all about.