TWFC

We also welcome and thank Guest Otis who came along to help us with our numbers. Guest Otis was presented to us as a goalkeeper. We therefore knew that there would be two goalkeepers at the fixture.

Last season's double winner Leon94 declared before the match that he would not defend his Captains League title or the Captain of Captains Belt. Indeed he said he would not captain again this season and expressed a wish to just be a bystander.

Ellislewis123 offered to captain for the season opener, his opponent was slated to be Eddie117 but he was not heard from prior to kick off. With this being the case, cometh the hour cometh the man, after what seemed like much soul searching, Leon94 agreed to captain against Ellislewis123 in the opening fixture. An external non-playing team mate advised the captains that each should pick a goalkeeper first and so the teams were picked.

Once picking was complete a senior player advised the captains of a custom and practice that he felt they had neglected. Anyone who watched the 2026 World Cup will know that the game on the pitch can be adjusted if a significantly senior figure is able to influence based up anything that they expect to be taken into consideration. And so it came to pass that the two captains were asked to exchange their first choice goalkeeper picks. This was on the understanding that 'first time guests should be on the same team as the person who brought them'. When questioned neither captain disagreed with the requested change to their line up. Clearly both captains had a reasonable understanding of the true powers in control of football.

Guest Otis announced himself at 06:11 on the clock with a fast move out to narrow the angle and then a fine strong left arm stop of Tai's shot from the edge of the area. This was a perfect example of taking time away from the striker.

The art of taking time away was demonstrated again by Guest Otis at 10:18 on the clock when he stopped Eddie117 from scoring.

For keepers in our game there is the right to narrow the angle up to and including on the line of the area but not beyond. Straying outside of the area by a keeper is an automatic area infringement that results in a penalty to the opposing team.

VAR Check 26.59 on the clock - Did the keeper stray outside of his penalty area while making a save?

VAR shows the keeper with both feet extending out of his penalty area as he completes his save.

VAR Decision

Goalkeeper strayed beyond the line of his penalty area into open play while making a save. Awarded penalty stands.

Senior players argued everything from the ball was in the area to the goalkeeper never left the area. Then to even if he did leave the area the ball was safe in the area. Senior players are reminded of the decision that the club voted in and implemented on 11 January 2026 that there should be no flexibility for goalkeepers leaving their penalty area. Even when shown this it was still suggested that there should be a case by case basis. If memory serves when the decision was voted in those in favour were quite pleased as it seemed a way for attackers to metaphorically bash goalkeepers over the head. Now, in hindsight, when the rule is in this instance quite correctly applied players suddenly don't like the medicine they have prescribed for themselves. Verily democratic voting in a grass roots football team is a microcosm of voting in British society.

I must caution myself here lest I be accused of mixing politics into sports. The cautionary tale for all readers though is if you ever have a vote use it wisely and not just for short term satisfaction.

However, the controversy did not end there. The penalty taker was asked three times to put the ball on the spot. He declined and placed it at point of his own choosing. No player on the pitch objected to this action in real time and no player gave any measure of support to the request for the ball to be properly placed. As both sides did not object or comply before the penalty was taken the penalty must be considered as a 'frolic of their own'. This is not to be encouraged but is the kind of thing that can happen at grass roots level with informal officiating. Things to make you go hmmm!

The resulting penalty was converted to bring the score to Blue Tops 3 - 2 Mufti.

Guest Otis almost saved the penalty and then went on to make a number of notable saves. At 47:44 on the clock he finished the match as he started by rushing out to narrow the angle and take the time away from one of our most prolific goal scorers.

By only conceding two goals all match Guest Otis on his first appearance rockets to the spot of one of the best goalkeeping performances by a fixed keeper in the club's records. After the match players voted Guest Otis as Player of the Match.

Final Score

Blue Tops 5 - 2 Mufti

Match awarded to the Blue Tops.

In the stakes of Old School Captains (arranged in alphabetical order where WLD the same)

Ellislewis123 C1x W1 D0 L0 GD+3

Leon 94 C1x W0 D0 L1 GD -3

The Captains League season has well and truly opened dear reader and watch this space because this year we will be recording goals scored. This year we won't just have a victorious captain, we will also be identifying the six players who make up the team of the season.

Let's do it all again next match at Tottenham Wednesday FC.