Grass roots Football is poles apart from the pampered world of the elite game. The almost endless rain that we have endured over the last couple of months has meant that many non League teams are faced with a backlog of fixtures, a situation exacerbated by the refusal of the FA and their associated league committees to extend the season. So much for a duty of care to players.

The situation reached its logical conclusion at Beatrice Avenue, the humble abode of East Cowes Victoria on Tuesday night (April 16^th). Their opponents were Totton & Eling, who had already played the previous day and had sustained three injuries and arrived at the ground fifteen minutes before kick off with just nine players, including the manager, analyst, and a novice playing his first game of competitive football. At least the analyst’s job was easy – we haven’t enough players! – and there was plenty of room on the bench.

Despite the overwhelming odds, the Millers put in a creditable performance, their defence not breached until the 31^st minute. They went on to lose 6-0, a result that could have repercussions in the race for play-off places at the top of the Wessex League Division One. Unsurprisingly, they are playing again tonight, a home game.

Hats off to Totton and Eling, truly the team of the week!