Casuals

I asked the lads to bring grit in the last write-up.

They brought a bit of glitter.

3-1 against a Step 4 side, albeit one in flux following their own relegation last season. But comfortable, always comfortable. Consistent, too.

I’m recognising lads. We might have a stable back four, or at least a back four built from a stable half-dozen or so constituent parts. Again Sol starts with Alex Penfold alongside him. Subsequently announced full-backs Sid Dack and Sam Orisatoki start, too. Penfold hasn’t been “officially” announced, but given he’s acting as hype man for the club’s notifications of signings on twitter, it’s reasonable to assume he’ll be around.

Penfold is well-known in non-league circles it would seem and it would be reasonable to say that his history is- illustrious. But, as I said previously, the club has- for a couple of years- looked short of men who know and are capable of the dark arts. Of men who can blare affirmation and instruction. Penfold can do it. He can also hit diagonals with his left foot. These are all tremendously useful qualities in a centre half.

These diagonals were in the direction of wingers we’re beginning to recognise. Unannounced as signings as yet, so nameless here, these diminutive-looking gentlemen may prove mustard and give Step 5 defenders a great deal of stress with their pace, trickery and low centres of gravity. Warren Coleman, we hear, was holidaying, but is our player.

The midfield seems slightly less concrete as yet. Hussein, of course, plays and scored again vs Casuals. An outside-of- the-boot lofted half-volley from in the box, a precision bit of craft to get the ball out of the ‘keeper’s reach. You’d call it a cultured finish, had you the inclination.

Another of the midfield we’d seen before, last time playing centre half for the second 45 vs Glebe. Another man as yet unsigned, but fuck me let’s hope he stays. A big guy, strong, clearly multi-functional across the team and confident in his own game. He’ll not be outmuscled often and he’ll not be cowed, ever. Again, you want such men in your team’s kit.

More than anything, the thing Tooting teams- and their supporters- have missed in the last couple of years is a 9. A bagsman. A scorer of goals. In my relatively short time I have carved icons of Billy Dunn, Danny Bassett and Danny Williams. I am happy to be corrected, but our last goal scorer of numerical repute was Danny Williams, who left halfway through the 21/22 season with 14 goals to his name. Since then, I think Raees and Shamal Edwards may have been our most consistent marksmen, certainly since Mark Waters left the club.

You need a goalscorer.

Now, it is preseason and nothing is guaranteed, of course, but it feels worth getting hopeful that Shay Brennan is that man. Coming to London from Step 5 clubs in the East Midlands, he brings with him a frankly arousing goalscoring history. Bog End Ant told me he’d scored something in the area of 80 goals in two seasons at Step 5 for clubs in his native Leicestershire. Comments following his announcement on twitter from those who know him were encouraging. Some references to “loving a tap-in” and “knowing where the net is” and, my favourite, the moniker “Gary Goals”.

Gary Goals.

Well, Gary, I too love a tap-in. My whole world revolves around tricksy, pacey wingers doing all the work and rolling them into lads like you to tap them in. It’s the essence of my football soul. It’s the essence of my own preferred method of working- take the credit for other people’s graft.

This is not to diminish Brennan’s capabilities, it’s just to acknowledge that I know nothing of tactics, only of vibes. Phil The Power Steventon, who knows more about the game itself than me, commented that before his goal vs Glebe, Brennan’s off the ball work was stretching their defence. Brilliant. I love to hear that. I love to see goals.

Brennan got one against casuals. That’s three in two. You’ll do for me.

The third goal was scored by a second half sub who I don’t remember having played before. As it was, he wore three and looked lively playing high on the left hand side. He finished his chance well.

So, another win. As Bogend Ant mentions in his podcast, further evidence of good vibes around the club. We hear that people who’d sacked it off are coming back and, while I acknowledge that’s a good thing, I also hope that during the inevitable stressful moments in the season ahead, people stick with it. The team’s form can and will fluctuate- the supporters’ form needs to be steadfast. Resolute.

But, with my vibes head on, it’s undoubtedly encouraging to hear people enthusiastic. Poddington and I have sat in the bar after the last couple of games because it feels more like a christening than a wake.

We are some way off confirmation, of course, but I’m going to keep coming to church.

Raynes Park Vale tonight. A proper test. We put our faith in the trinity. The Hams, the JOC and the Holy Byatt.

Up the Stripes