It is said that the sports field is where dreams are made. Occasionally, one witnesses such athletic excellence in one person that others competing appear to be but bit-part actors in that individuals Oscar winning performance. It is very rare, however, to see one man transcend all others so completely that, for those fortunate enough to have been in attendance, it marks something of a humbling experience. On Saturday, November 12^th, 2011 (starting slightly after 14:00 because of the previous game overrunning), a Tulse Hill veteran rolled back the years and showed that sport is not simply a matter of training hard and running about a lot. It takes finesse, it takes creativity but most of all it can be done with such artistry that spectators wonder whether they are watching a mere game or experiencing something much, much more profound.

To endeavour to describe something so complete and so beautiful would be futile, however the summary is thus:

• Tom scored (TH 1, Wayfarers 0)
• Tom scored (TH 2, Wayfarers 0)
• Some other people did some stuff badly (TH 2, Wayfarers 2)
• Tom scored another (TH 3, Wayfarers 2)
• Someone that wasn't Tom scored (TH 4, Wayfarers 2)
• Poor umpiring from a French chap led to a penalty flick against TH (TH 4, Wayfarers 3)
• Tom scored AGAIN!!!! (TH 5, Wayfarers 3)
• Someone did something rubbish (TH 5, Wayfarers 4)

In the end, it was a man against boys and taunts from the sideline about that man's 'shape' sounded really rather hollow. Did he care? No. Did he celebrate with Ronaldo-esque smugness? Of course.

And there you have it - a moment in time of such perfection that, one day, it will be asked not where you were when Kennedy was shot but where were you at about half three on Nov 12^th, 2011 when one man did what only one other man has ever done for the 4's in recent history and scored 4 goals in one game.

And who was that other man? T'was in fact the same man but last time he scored five

Match report written by a goal scoring fat head.. Mr Tom Alexander

With two games down, two losses and the feeling of a need to grab something from this fixture there was a slight air of tension amongst most. However we'd put up a good display against Spencer 5's first game of the season and there was no reason to doubt we couldn't do better against their 6's.

However, early in the game they showed that they were better drilled and they'd played their system for much longer than us, in particular the press, which they used to good effect. As a result in the first half we were regularly caught in possession and if we weren't caught then we were hurried and pass completion was poor. Still they seemed to have the same ratio of shots on goal to possession as Arsenal do and instead of having shipped four or five at half time we went in with no goals having been scored and only a shot of quality a piece.

We've still much to work on in terms of the positional play required to effectively implement Pete's system but the second half saw sizeable improvements from the first. With Pete calling the press from the sidelines and more and more people in the team getting their heads round their role we started to reduce their possession and to get some for ourselves and at times looked almost threatening with it! With 60 minutes gone and the score at 0-0 some might say that we were unlucky not to nick a win from the most unlikely of situations with their keeper and defenders being forced to make a couple of very timely interventions.

For just three matches and five or so practice sessions the feedback's got to be.Thanks Pete! Whilst we're along way from lightly tarnished and a mile from polished for the first time in my recollection players have defined roles, responsibilities and a method for evaluating their own performance in the framework of the team. There's definitely going to be times when it'll get worse and we'll get rolled but for a team with very similar personnel from last season we're still in with a good shout of upsetting any team in our league! (MP)

Petit Poisson, Jones T, Alexander, Wilshire, Austin, Bristow, Griffiths, Pulford, Boniface, Cole, Thompson, Young, Casey, Jones M, Lucas

Who'd of thought when planning a trip to Sonning Lane that you'd need to account for it being the hottest October day on record and that the majority of West London's residents had decided to park their cars all over the A4. So with an average journey time well in excess of 2 hours, to a man we were well prepared for our game of hockey at the time generally reserved for Mad Dogs..

However, after the brief team talk of let's get through the first ten, play the system and all will be rosey the game started in a bit of a hurry. The first ten passed without either side scoring but chances had been made at both ends and even though it was ridiculously hot we were in with a shout. However, the first ten had been littered with individual mistake s from both sides on what can only be described as an excitable hybrid pitch that as the half progressed we struggled more than Reading to come to terms with. Half time saw us 2-0 down and whilst plenty of effort was expended, little guile had been utilised.

The second half saw much of the same as both teams tired. However if it hadn't been for some interesting umpiring decisions the score would have stayed at 2-0 and we could be pleased at how the lads worked the press. However, with JP managing to kick the ball onto his stick before pushing it into the goal and Wilshire deflecting a ball from outside the 25 past Bailey without a Reading player being within a district postcode of him the game finished 3-1.

We've still much to work on and much that we did was good. There was some negativity at the result but in general more from the frustration that we know we can play better. Spencer 6's this weekend and a need to get something from the game.

Bailey, Jones T, Alexander, Wilshire, Austin, Bristow, Griffiths, Pulford, Thompson, Young, Casey, Jones M, Wack, McDonald

New season, new division, new system and in part a little bit of trepidation from all. Much had been made over the summer of how we'd go, would there be a discernable shift in the level of play and if there was could the 'Old Dogs' cut it?

Pre-season had seen a weakened 4's draw against Burnt Ash and a hard fought loss against the 3s, fitness wasn't overly obvious in either game but a determination to give it a go was certainly present. So what better to way to start a season than by playing an aggrieved Spencer side the 3's had demoted from their league in a confrontational match just months earlier.

Game 1: With a team still made up from a predominance of players from last season's team, seemingly galvanised by Peters 5:3:2:1 coaching handbook and a fresh approach the season started. Everyone involved thought it was going to be a really tough start, but in reality for the first 35 we looked the stronger team and with Will Lucas scoring with a clean strike from an acute angle after 20 minutes Spencer 5's were a little rattled. However, for all our passing and closing down at half time the scores were level at 1-1. With more ammunition from Peter we went out for the second half and for another 20 minutes gave it a really good go, the culmination coming when Mark Jones' goal ended one of the best passing moves we've strung together for years. However, the last 15 saw the team fall off the fitness cliff and Spencer were able to take control of the ball and the space that had become available on the pitch.

Strangely, in seasons past a 2-4 home defeat by Spencer would of seen a certain number of toys being thrown out of the proverbial pram by the majority. But the mood remains positive, from a group that have fought for 10 years to make the step up and are keen to show they are like the shampoo advert says. worth it!!

Next week sees a lunchtime journey to play Reading 3's who'll be looking to bounce back from a 4-0 defeat to a good Wayfarer's side. If we're going to get a positive result everyone will need to reduce their individual errors, go longer on their fitness, whilst keeping the intensity and commitment they showed this week! (MP)

Many thanks to Chris Coleman for umpiring

Next Fixture: 1^st October - Reading 3's - Away - 1330 Pushback

Bailey (GK), Austin (LH), Wilshire (LB), Alexander (RB), Fishwick P (RH), Bristow (CH), McDonald (LW), Carse (IL), Lucas (CF), Pulford (IR), Young (RW), Jones (Sub), Harris (Sub), Boniface (Sub)