Thurs 11 Sept - When you've got everything to lose the odds are against you and so it was for the Old Boys tonight against Caledonian; on paper an easy fixture but in reality a potential banana skin. However the Old Boys squad possesses sterner stuff than an outdated double entendre comedy so a banana skin was nothing to them; in fact they fancied giving the opposition one. And they could not have been gifted an easier start as only four of the opposition lined up for the first three minutes. However, this seemed to have a negative effect on the Old Boys, so often used to over coming the odds and succeeding. Against the four men they struggled to penetrate and create any meaningful chances. Whilst he is now back in England, it was reminiscent of O'Connor trying his hardest in a the O Bar at 2am; controlled, focused, committed but ultimately futile. After three minutes with the scores still level, Caledonian were soon back to full strength. But, like a beautiful tropical bird confined to a cage, the Old Boys could not be restricted for long. They know that the future and the glories that it holds is what drives them on.

Fortunately, the effervescent Cummings was soon on target with a typical strong run and finish. A ball played from the back was capitalised on and Cummings did the rest. So often a feature of previous seasons, it was pleasing to see Cummings shooting with confidence and hitting the target quicker than a p0rn star with a paper round to finish. This should have set the Old Boys up for a comfortable win; the statistics of Caledonian were such that the Old Boys, in their little used green Thistle Construction strip, clearly fancied scoring a few goals. Whilst they had the usual comfort at the back, with Comins, Roughead, Rogers and Whitaker playing their game which makes a Yorkshire farmer look generous, the Old Boys never settled in to their match winning rhythm. Failing to capitalise on their chances, the scores were level midway in to the half. As Caledonian broke from deep, the Old Boys midfield was slow to track back and Caledonian took advantage of this very unusual occurrence by firing off a shot into the top of the net.

As in life, it is in football; youth and speed, whilst being pleasing attributes at the time, can never match experience and knowledge. The Old Boys have been there and done that more times than a ten dollar wh0re and being pitched against fresh legs and exuberance meant that the game was going to be won in the head. Collectively, the Old Boys mental strength is something that always gives them an edge and in close games that means a goal; they don't give up and they always support one another. With Caledonian scenting an unlikely upset, and their defenders roaming forward, the Old boys moved the ball around sensibly and looked to release the forwards at every opportunity. Cummings, the family man sporting a new and colourful tribute to his loved ones on his left arm, showed the ruthless side to his character by punishing inexperienced defending. The Old Boys top scorer for the past two seasons was shown too much space with the ball at his feet and he found the back of the net with a typical firmly struck shot to put the Old Boys a goal ahead. At half time, although trailing, Caledonian were clearly the happier team having survived being two men down and fancying their chances against what they saw as a team of old and out of place has beens. However, this was going to be a hard fought encounter and again the floodgates did not open. Caledonian, to their credit continued to play a fairly open game, chasing the goal that would draw them level. They were enjoying the finely pitched battle and whilst there were a lot of tough tackles, they were all fair and good spirited. Despite this, Cummings was a surprising recipient of a yellow card, primarily for being stronger than the guy he tackled.

Old Boys one man down and one goal up with twelve minutes left meant that the game was set up for a frantic finish. However, with five experienced heads on the pitch, the Old Boys were no stranger to this position. Feeling this, Henshaw, playing his usual influential game, needlessly hit the ceiling to ensure that the Old Boys played the next minute and a half with only three outfield players. Ever the gentleman, Henshaw was clearly wanting the defence to get some game time pressure under their belts before the play offs begin next week. As it was, Caledonian lacked that killer instinct that makes a good team great or a young man no longer, without the aid of rohypnol, no longer a v1rgin. The three remaining players, cooped up and under scrutiny dug deep and demonstrated that life's adversities are only transitionary and success is only ever just round the corner. For a minute and a half, ably supported by Sives in goal, they played like lions and could even have extended their lead. As it was, when the teams numbers were returned to normal, Shakespeare, who played his best game of the season so far, was dispatched down the right and with the keeper rushing out to save, the tenacious Old Boys forward calmly tucked away the third goal with the outside of his left boot. It was fitting that Shakespeare scored as he had worked tirelessly all the game closing down the defenders and breaking up the Caledonian attacks and the goal was a reward for his perseverance.

Again, to their credit, Caledonian continued to press and the Old Boys were not allowed to cruise to their victory. With five minutes to go, Caledonian pulled one back following another well struck shot from distance. Again, given time and space, a shot was inevitable and it was disappointing that Old Boys conceded another cheap goal. However, it did make for a frantic last few minutes with Caledonian chasing the equaliser and Old Boys content to keep the ball and play it around; again demonstrating that the tortoise and hare story still has as much relevance now in this modern multi-media age as it did when it was first written centuries ago. When the referee finally signalled the end of the game, it was largely relief for the Old Boys to have survived a closely fought encounter with their unbeaten run intact. They had shown again that their character and determination is something special and one that will be rewarded. With their collective mental strength and support for one another, this is a squad that fears nothing; the future holds the play offs and no team will fancy themselves against this winning unit.