Fellow Viagrans and supporters,

Well if last Sunday was champaigne virile viagra football, yesterday was about meat & 2 veg ball busting football (sorry Dan - still have that Bee Gees voice ?). It was all about guts, determination, never say die and standing up - tall and erect.

The drive to Balcatta's pitch was most quixotic with several dead end turns but we reached the ground to be shown the away changeroom ominously barricaded with a cage door. Hello what have we here ? Strange shrill noises emanated from within the room and I peered inside to see Kev/Simon P/ Tony D psyching themselves up for another big game. I quickly jarred the door open as I recalled away teams being locked in their changeroom and forfeiting the game as a result. We are playing the Italians after all. You just never know - better safe than sorry. Fortunately  this Balcatta outfit dispelled all the worst stereotypes of Italian teams with no cynical fouls, no diving, no time wasting or cheating but they played open football with skill, composure, fairness and flair. It was fair to say we were played off the park in the 1st half hour with their sublime midfielders and pacy wingers and we struggled to keep possession. 

However, against the run of play, our Stalin decided he'd had enough of defence and counter attacked with his typical power run straight up the park to link up with the ball busting Dan on the right. A corner ensued and the goalmouth scramble saw Martin slot the first NFC goal. A second nearly followed as Bolgo burst into a one on one but was felled with a goal saving tackle and a painful calf injury. Play stopped as a stretcher came on to be waved aside by a self medicating Bolgo who hobbled off for some ice. RPH informed it wasn't a life threatening injury so he should be back in a few weeks.

It must be noted our attack had a different look with our pyromanical Luka safely absconced in Melbourne away from Interpol after last week's pyre. In stepped Big George who admirably filled in the hot seat of guest striker to show why Scottish strikers are almost feared all over the world.

Conceding the goal stung Italia, sorry Balcatta into action and they rattled in 2 goals by half time. They tired in the last 15 min and NFC missed several chances and had shots at goal cleared by opposition bodies including a ball breaker thunderbolt by Notts County tragic Kevin which was inadvertently stopped by Dan. If we have our man of steel Martin and Richard's head of steel, we now have Dan's testicles of steel which took the full brunt and stopped a certain goal for Kev, who was understandably livid. Ouch ! But our Danny boy is made of sterner stuff and this setback was nothing compared to being a Man City supporter. You might have to dig out your old ball guard from your cricketing days for the next game mate.

Half time beckoned and Keegan Stewart gave a constructive pep talk to buttress our resolve which reminded one of Sir Alf's words [You've won it once. Now go and win it again].This didn't work as we were crap again early in the 2nd half as Balcatta dominated. NFC was looking very groggy but managed to hold on and importantly not concede that 3rd goal, inspired by the thought of Dan's testicular trauma and possible sacrifice  of future impotence. [Ed - what has this got to do with football ?]. However as we approached the hour mark, gaps started to appear and Robbodinho emerged to assert his dominance on the left with power running. Simon P too had shaken off his alcoholic misadventures of the previous week and repeatedly won the ball to feed this building momentum. Steel helmet Richard, Stalin and yours truly had quelled the once potent Balcatta midfield aided by a Dietmar Hamman-like Tony Dixon who operated as a midfield shield to the back 4. This freed up Kev to do what he does best [ED - still working  this one out]. Balcatta was now looking dodgier than McLaren's England team and one mistake too many was pounced upon by Frank who turned inside the box to burrow through a well deserved equaliser ! Can NFC hold on for a draw ?

Now for the circuit breaker. Keegan Stewart who was linesman was canny enough to pick up the change in the air and came on to replace a now depleted George. What an inspired substitution ! As yet another ferocious NFC attack emanated from the gutsy midfield, Tony with impeccable timing latched onto the loose ball in the box to scorch the winner past their Dino Zoff. Our very own apprentice senior citizen had defied grandfather time to land the Windass like killer blow to the speechless opposition. NFC managed to hold on for the remaining 10 or so minutes against a tiring Balcatta to secure an inspiring, gutsy win against a most formidable opponent. We will need to think hard on how to quell their no 15 for the return game. Special thanks too must go to keeper Nick who maintained composure in the face of opposition fans' Glory Shed like taunting whenever he took his goal kick. Nick was called in at short notice to replace  our irrepressible Douwe enroute to Euro 08. Douwe passed his congratulations and promised to return with an even brighter psychedelic orange shirt. He also asked if Balcatta's clubhouse is still standing ? Any news Tony on that one ? Funny but on the radio this morn was an arson attack to a house in Medina - true.

In summary, we didn't exactly crush Balcatta but we learnt something about grounding out a win against quality opposition. We also applaud Dan's unique qualities. Keep it up Dan ! We hope you still can..

Maintain your viagra - may the Force be with you.

Michael Rodrigo – Match Journo (notes taken whilst playing!)