The 3rds fell to another defeat this weekend despite a spirited second half effort which they all should be proud of. Team manager for the day, Shane ‘Tony Pulis’ Ford led from the sideline rather than the back this week, but the effect was much the same as ‘encouragement’ was bellowed consistently from the bench.

Despite all of this though, the Shane-less defence allowed Warwick to sneak in and score 2 early goals which immediately put the 3rds on the back foot. Shane kept himself busy though in dealing with Kevin Guest in a ruthless, more Mourinho-esque manner which brought the whole team into line.

Chances in the first half were in short supply, and the Adders couldn’t find a breakthrough before halftime. The backs did a good job in keeping the deficit to only 2, with goalkeeper Steve having a fine match for what seems like the umpteenth game in a row. Makeshift central defender Grant Kobrin made the position his own alongside seasoned professional Martin Stott, who controlled the situation expertly to marshal youngsters Matt Wheeler and Jack Negus into position. And so it went into halftime with the Adders 2-0 down.

Shane’s halftime pep-talk was… different, but seemed to work miracles. Yet again the 3rd team went out all guns blazing and finally woke up to take the game to Warwick.

A deflected Adders pass fell neatly to Ben Oldham who slipped it to Lee Smith, who in turn found the back of the net. 2-1.

A seamless short corner routine let Adam Woods fire a shot straight to the bottom corner. 2-2. The Adders were all over them as awe-struck Warwick faces staggered back to the halfway line. But an unfortunate own goal by the otherwise level-headed Grant Kobrin released the pressure and Warwick sneaked back in front.

The third goal came, as the 3rds have became accustomed to, from the second phase of a short corner. The ball presented itself to Ben Oldham only a few metres out, and it was impossible to miss. 3-3 with only minutes left to play. The baseball-capped Shane was going mental. ‘We can win this!’ came shouts from the Adders’ contingent but Warwick had other ideas.

A stray pass in midfield was intercepted by a Warwick player and before the 3rds could even begin to protest, the backboard rattled and Warwick had snatched it.
Yet again the 3rd team fell on the wrong side of a close match, but certainly can’t be accused of giving up.

Hopefully it’ll be a new start for the New Year with wins aplenty.

Player of the match: Martin Stott