Jersey Festival Update: 8/4/09
LAST NIGHT'S PLANNED trip to Corbiere Lighthouse was thwarted at the last minute. Some inconsiderate and anti-social parking meant that, even with the expert driving skills of Stirling Duggins, the mini-bus remained firmly rooted in its allocated spot.
Instead, a leisurely stroll to the pier whiled away the latter hours of the day. Time was spent looking for a brief glimpse of the flickering lights of the French shoreline - but to no avail. The biting wind meant a quick return to base
to watch the European endeavours of Arsenal and Manchester United.
Dawn brought wet stuff falling from the sky as the weathermen
finally got it right. Curses.
Outstanding
The Dagenhamesque weather saw the team totally dominate a useful Orpington side, who had conquered Thurrock the previous day.
Barking & Dagenham were playing their best football of the week but couldn't quite score. Orpington offered little, and it was all one way traffic. It was a shock then when Alfie Malbon was forced to produce an outstanding save to keep the scores level at half-time.
The second half followed a similar pattern, until the breakthrough finally came. As the drizzle continued to persist down, Luke Gelston worked a bit of magic and freed Ernest Okoh, who finished with aplomb.
With five minutes remaining, the rain disappeared and so did the lead. A hopeful punt from distance flew in with no chance of a save.
Gutted
As the clock wheezed its dying breaths, Connor Gray produced a superb save to deny
Orpington a winner. It was amazing! So amazing that the entire team stopped to admire as the Orpington striker smashed the rebound into the net for 2-1. Gutted.
The driving monsoons meant there was no appetite for a trip to the beach so the team stayed to cheer on Thurrock in their 1-0 win over South Birmingham. Gloucester obviously benefitted from the confidence boost of yesterday's match as they smashed Felling 5-1.
After lunch, a visit to the Zoo, hoping to leave a few behind with their lookalikes. The zoo was also populated with half the island, including a raft of pensioners, TV crews and men with beards. The occasion was the official unveiling of the new meerkat enclosure. Eighteen Essex boys vociferously scoffing, "comparethemeerkat.com!" probably didn't go down too well.
The rain eventually stopped but temperatures have dropped so low that Duggins isn't wearing his vest.
The evening sees a trip to the Jersey Bowl. Parking permitting.
