RECREATIVO 1-4 Lyric Celtic 3.2.13.

There's no 'Recreativo vs Lyric Celtic' chalked up on the Hackney Marshes Centre blackboard. The geezer from the council's saying the pitch hasn't been paid for. There's no opposition and no ref. How do we explain this to the new recruits as they traipse across the barren pitches looking for us. Text from Jimmy L to Jimmie G: "I bet you've missed the constant state of low level matchday terror!".

We decide to take our favourite pitch, miles away from the dressing rooms. Could the re-generation of East London not have stretched to building a monorail from the changing rooms to the North Marsh?

Finally Celtic show, referee Neville blows the whistle and we are away. A very good game of footy ensues but we concede two goals after 25 mins and a killer header from a corner right on half time. 

Tom P slots home a penalty (after the ref gave a hand-ball in our favour after the ball actually hits the Celtic defender's back!) and we're back in the game. A fourth Lyric goal late on belied the fact that we were very much in this game and the score somewhat flattered them. However, the new recruits looked half-decent, there's a renewed good vibe throughout the team and enough spirit and fight to get something out of the remaining matches coming up. 

Team: Radu Atlas, Steven,  Dave Perrett, Joe Dunthorne, Kelvin Brown, Jimmie Gregory, Tom Perrett, Tom Winter, Joe Haley, Aaron Gayle, Rich. Subs: Mario Pisano, Gregg Morgan, Sam.