So the season finally got underway and I made my way down to a sunny "Cope", with four of our sides at home, looking forward to seeing whether the increasing optomism within the club was to be realised. And, despite a mixed set of results the signs are relatively good.  The 1st team took on a strong Ibis team in what was always going to be a tough opener, and so it proved with a tight game between two of last years promotion chasers.  Ibis ran out 1-0 winners, but we could easily have snatched all 3 points, and their jubilant reaction at the end of the game showed how delighted they were to come away with a win, and how we are certainly no longer seen as the leagues whipping boys - it was certainly one of the best defensive displays that I have seen from our 1's in a while, and they will be a difficult prospect for anyone this year.  The 2's also put up a brave performance and were unlucky to bow out the cup to Economicals, again a game that could have very much gone either way and should have gone to extra time.  Good to see that all the boys stayed on afterwards, despite the defeats although there were some disappointed faces in the bar.  And that is how far we have come in the last season or so....not so long ago, we would have taken the performance and have been pleased with it, but the whole mentality has changed and performance alone is no longer good enough, the result matters as well, and it is very good to see.  Yes, be disappointed that we didn't get the right result, but take the positives out of a good performance, get down to training to fix things and go out again next week, remember how disappointed you were and ensure that you swap that with jubilation following a performance AND a result.

Encouraging news from the lower sides as well.  The 4's can be pleased with a point from a Kew side that was very strong last season.  I was fortunate enough to catch the last 15 minutes of the 5th team game where on arrival they were 2 goals down.  Not sure that the Chairman can take any credit with his appearance, but it was good to see that heads had not dropped, that we played football and two brilliant balls into the box gave us the two goals that earned a point - well done to all.  The 7's were also at home and looked confident and it was nice to see one of our new players get on the teamsheet in a strong performance and a game which we dominated.  News from away was that the 6's scored four, but conceded more but are at least finding the net, and that the 8's showed real spirit in coming back from 2 goals down to beat Bank of England 3-2.

So, a mixed bag of results, but probably positives that can be taken from every game, good attendance and spirit in the bar afterwards and definitely an opening day that we can build on going forward.  Don't forget training on Wednesday, and lets go forward with confidence and our new found optomism. 

Steve Martin-Lawrence, Chairman