Kew Park Rangers 1 v CRFC Hares 5

What exactly can you do in 12 hours?

You could fly to Japan. You could watch The Hobbit 4 times over (and no, I'm not in it). You could even climb up AND down Ben Nevis, with time for a quick cuppa and custard cream at the end. 

But one thing good old Jonny A can't do.... is score a bloody goal. 

Yes lads, THE DROUGHT CONTINUES. 

Jeremie Aliadiere (39 games), Iain Dowie (40 games) and Saido Berahino (48 games) - JON ALLEN (8 games) IS COMING TO GET YOU!!! 

Anyway, back to business. It's Saturday afternoon again and The Hares are headed to the lovely Barnes area to take on the Premier Leagues Kew Park Rangers. From the moment Smithy rolled up in the team bus with 'Ice Ice Baby' blaring, I knew today's game could be a special one.

We arrive at the Boathouse and tip toe our way through copious amounts of goose cr*p to the other Hares. After some token small talk - the gaffer calls the huddle. With Smithy reminiscing about former opponents he has "put one on", The Gaffer throws a stern word at the returning midfielder and names the starting line up. Whilst also reminding us he has "half an eye" on the semi final next week. Yep, it confused the hell out of me too.

The ref blows his whistle and away we go. Credit to Kew, they made the brighter start. Obviously a team who are very comfortable on the ball and have full trust in each other. However, The Hares maintain good shape and ride the storm. Emmins proving to be a tower of strength from the 1st minute.

Against the run of play, The Hares take the lead. We close down their left back and hurry him in to a mistake. A long throw in from Gaz goes into the box and Napper is making a nuisance of himself again, getting the slightest of touches on the ball to knock it into the path of Gareth S steaming in. A calm finish puts us 1-0 up. 

Credit again to the back 3 as Kew come forward in numbers and put us under pressure after falling behind. But Chrissy C, Gaz and Emmins are standing firm. Kew do break through at one point though but big Mike D is there to make a smart save. The Hares muster another attack soon after.

Now I can't figure out if Jonny H was playing the first 30 minutes or if he went off somewhere to sample the local canoes. Either oar, our left winger springs on to a loose ball and hits AN ABSOLUTE BEAUTY into the top corner from a good 25 yards (sorry Ali). Take a bow Jonny, a lovely goal that.

Kew once again show their premier league quality and come at us. This time they break on the left and a ball over Mike leaves Chris C back peddling, not able to do enough to prevent Kew getting what is undoubtedly a deserved goal.

Half time lads.

I'm sat next to Dunc and can't figure out if he had a lamb bhuna last night or whether I've sat in goose cr*p, but something definitely doesn't smell right.

Gaz, Smithy, the gaffer, Pete and Jonny A making some cracking points at half time and although we're 2-1 up, everyone knows we can play better than we have done. And that we did in the 2nd half.

Not long in we win a corner and Pete fizzes a peach of a ball into the box and Jonny A is there to head.... No I'm only joking lads. It's Big Dunc who gets there and controls a lovely header into the bottom left corner. A well deserved goal for Dunc who has started the 2nd half on fire- no lamb bhuna pun intended.

In my opinion, we're controlling the game now. Lead brilliantly by Ali and Smithy - what a game those two had. The pair of them reminded me of Keane and Gattuso in their heyday, literally stifling the ball players of Kew at every opportunity and allowing Gareth and Pete to create some lovely attacks. 

I think it's Pete who then puts Jonny H through again. With the Kew goalkeeper busy doing the hokey cokey Jon lifts another beauty of a finish over him and lobs in his 2nd and The Hares 4th! "THAT'S MINE, THAT'S BLOODY MINE". Wait, what's wrong with Harding??? 

Turns out Napper was making sure of the goal and got a toe to it so Jonny H was keen to let the big man know who's goal it was. Wasn't as keen to let him know in the pub afterwards though....

Credit where credit is due, our left winger has shown us two outstanding finishes today and put the game beyond Kew.

Kew do attack some more but with Mikey D pulling off another fine save and Emmins organising the troops, there's no way through. 

The Hares are enjoying themselves now. If it's not Jonny H bellowing to me to make sure I award him the 2 goals in the write up, the gaffer is doing half a yard foul throws due to only being able to use 1 and a half eyes. Must have been tough for him.

G Soanes had obviously had his weetabix today and despite his non stop running all game decides to attack down the left again. After a neat 1-2 he puts a peach of a cross in the box and Jonny A is there to.... only joking again lads. It's Matty "2+8 = number 10" Taylor to nod home our 5th and final goal.

Let's be honest, Kew are better than losing 5-1 and dominated us for the first 30 minutes. But we showed some steel, a lot of character and our fitness took us to victory.

The midfield were outstanding today. Plenty of our team talk was directed at the Kew "danger man" in the middle but Ali marshalled him brilliantly all game. Complimented by Smithy, Gareth and Pete, with the goals of Jonny H - The Hares midfield were sublime at times.

Our toughest test to date but we get the win. The semi final is looming next week and this was a great performance to set The Hares up for another Premier League test against Poly.

Mike B.