The football festival of the world cup took a back seat for a much anticipated vets clash. But as the world cup games have produced brilliance, shocks and tears, today game did not disappoint. Clapham went into the game looking for a much needed win following some rough, tough games against higher division sides in the cups: the captain Steve Gordon privately conceeding a win was needed to bolster morale.

Clapham the away side arrived at the beautiful wildfowl pitches of Barnes Elms to the realisation no changing room or shower rooms were available. The vets parked their cars like pioneer wagons to chane modestly, we hoped this was not an omen, being so far from home. This is amateur football!

Clapham had 11 at kick off with the spectre of serial playboy Paul Latty and international jet setter Rups gracing the field following kick. Botb took their penance of running the line with a judicial rapier intelligence...urging the side on and delivering tactical gems akin to Arrigo Sacch, how we yurned for their Van Basten qualities to help.

Clapham started like a team unbothered by the oppo peacocking displays at warm up. The tried and tested pre match speech from Steve Gordon resonated in the congregation with "lets go and there and enjoy it"...and yes we certainly did.

The starting line up:

A questionable Saturday morning fitness trail for the keeper (Alex Jayes) put his knee out and Damo again answered the call. But clapham took this in their stride. Such is the Moses like seach for a keeper this year!

Steve Gordon right back. Mark Hignett and Spencer Grady centre backs and Gordon McCarthy left back.

David Davies right mid, Martin and Ronald Centre mid, and Jonas Liss left.

Up top Adam and Wes the Gunman, fleet of foot from the weight of his amateur belts being lifted.

Early exchanges on the pitch showed the oppo had a quick forward who tested Claphams left. Clapham played out from the right, predominately in the early exchanges, fluidly with Steve, Spencer, David Davies and Ronald with live wire Martin always avaialble. Half chances and crunching tackles ensued, Clapham were testing their oppo like a coiled cobra. Some counterpunches and needless fowls allowed the oppo some yardage. Clapham dealt with the pressure but then they were their own worst enemy as a ball from left back towards goal and back across the right resulted in a square ball which mistepped the defence and the oppo chipped a cheeky goal from the edge of the box added by the cruel winter wind from the Thames and into the goal. Claphams heads were rattled like Mike Tyson from a Frank Bruno left hook.

Clapham put their mouth guard in and stepped out from the defence on the left, skipping a tough press releasing Jonas into the channel beyond the opp full back. A beautiful cross mid height with wicked pace crossed the goal, Clapham forwards pounced and the keeper made a remarkable save but injured himself making the desperate diving interception. He makes a remarkable recovery after some minutes.

More good work on the left from Jonas and David create a succession of corners. One of which comes back to the taker following a poor defensive clearance. Gordon steps on the return and crosses back on his right to the head of Wes who powers back to goal for the keeper to stop the ball but only after crossing the line. All agreed it was a goal except the man in black. Clapham continue to probe and battle with Ronald picking balls out of the sky and recycling play like a vets Thomas Partey. At every angle he recieves and continued the pressure for Steve Gordon and Martin to develop play with Martin and David aided by a rejuvenated Adam.

The oppo continued plowing their long ball throw and get some success from a long ball into the corridor of uncertainty between left back Gordon and the keeper. Their fast forward forcing an ill advised decision by our left back to ignore the cries of the out rushing stand in keeper to "leave it" leading to a forgettable goal. 2 0.

Clapham were rocked but resolute. Half time comes. A Great positive half time team talk from Steve and Damo resound as Clapham feel the breath of the Ascot game where we dominated but lost. As great as the talk was all players had the 100 yard stare and the words were like a stage show hypnotist instructions to lions. Clapham had the eye of the tiger and every player took the field internalising their personal mantra. Clapham were going to work.

Left back and right back raids and crosses rocked the opposition box and the oppo were beaten down but not out. Wave after wave of play with Mark playing from the back and Martin like a force of nature winning tackle after tackle leaving the opposition squeezed into their half. The play was as good as we've seen this year at Ascot and some great technical play. Rups on for Adam offered another target and pulled their centre back out of position for Ronald to dribble through the defence only to be brought down cynically. Gordon, stand in for Jason free kick taker , played a ball over the wall from the right to the back post. Ronald is the only player bar the oppo keeper to anticipate and challenge the ball as it heads for the far post, with the deftest flick he passes beyond the on rushing keeper nesting the ball into the net. 2 - 1. We're back in it. 75 mins gone.

More pressure from Clapham without response and tactical change from Steve to push Mark into midfield, gambling on 3 at the back. Wave after wave of attacks leading to corner after corner. A smart turn and shot from Martin, with minutes left, from the edge of the box result in a finger tip save over the bar from the keeper. Less than 3 mins on the clock. This must be the last opportinies worthy of a world cup knock out game. A tired late in swinging corner from the right from Gordon only reaches the edge of the box perpendicular to the near post but Mark anticipates and rises like a golden eagle to meet the ball above all to nestle in the top right of the goal. Mark snatches his glory like a silvery fish in his tallons. A roar can be heard echoing across the fields and on to the river Thames beyond. The normally quite Mark (a rolls royce of a player) celebrates his fantastically deserved equaliser. Clapham hearts rise as they continue to inquire for an elusive winner. The ref blows.

2-2 all.

What did we learn? We are a decent team. When we trust each other and have each others backs, despite mistakes, we really can play any team off the park. Our confidence can be dented easily but we have the quality to dominate possession and can beat any team in this new league.

It was a privilege to play with you all today. Up the Clapham.

Gordon McCarthy