It is remarkable how one can raise their game when there are no points or trophies at issue and this was the case with the 22 players who took part in the game here last Tuesday evening.

The challenge of the Isthmian League XI to our boys as Champions produced as scintillating a game as one could wish to see and our second best crowd of the season were rewarded with a display of highly skilful football by the whole 22 players.

Having vanquished the full England Amateur XI we were out to complete the double and this no doubt urged our boys on.

A goal down in the first minute of the game when Terry Howard headed home an accurate cross from outside right Len Worley gave the League XI the ascendency and for a while our defence was hard pressed to prevent any addition to the score.

John Swannell was frequently called on to show his England class and he was well supported by Geoff Riddy, Dave Hogwood and Roy Sleap, who had internationals Paul Bates, Terry Howard and Len Worley to contend with.

John Evans and skipper Bobby Cantwell were backing up their forwards with some accurate passing and it was no surprise when the equaliser came as Danny Lakey pin-pointed a cross to the far post to see Roy Drake beat Brian Wakefield with a beautiful header.

Lakey put us ahead in the first minute of the second half and ten minutes later Drake scored his second to put us 3-1 ahead. Jimmy Quail was prominent at this stage helping out in defence and streamlining a flow of passes to both wingers Lakey and Churchill, who used their speed to cause Wakefield several anxious moments.

Fred Pudney, too, was enjoying his best game of the season and Jimmy Quail showed his shooting had come back when a fine drive of his flashed inches over the bar.

We were well on stop and it was a surprise when Len Worley completed the scoring with a well taken drive ten minutes from time.

An entertaining game, well appreciated by all.