Game 3

A quick stint on the A1 saw me arrive in the vicinity of my next game and my first competitive "middle" of the season. Having completed this morning's game in very humid conditions I was concerned about dehydration and my energy levels so a quick stop at the local petrol station saw me stock up on Lucozade, water and a chocolate bar.

I missed the entrance to the car park three times and eventually got in at the fourth attempt. I did my warm up which was a combination of a warm up and a cooldown to make sure I was loosened up after my 25 minute drive. The League has changed the pre-match administration and I found myself signing a combined team sheet/expenses form. The match fees have gone up as well which meant I was getting paid a little more for something I love doing!

The game was scrappy and the home side conceded two goals in 3 minutes around the half hour mark. In the second half the home side came back into the game and got a goal almost at the start of the second half before the away team added a third and restored their two goal cushion.

One player got a bad injury and had to be carried to the touchline where he was tended by medical staff. It seemed he had damaged his back and was certainly in a lot of pain. The game continued without any other goals but there was another game ending injury for one player as he took a knock on his shin.

The game finished with three cautions split between the two teams. I burnt 1551 calories and stopped my monitor during the 10 minute half time break so it will have been probably over 1600. That is the highest I have managed for a long, long time. Obviously the fitness work has paid off. First half max hr 95% with an 83% average. Second half max hr 89% with a 77% average. The second half also had 9 minutes added time because of the stoppage for the assessment/moving of the player with the back injury.

So the day's total is almost 3100 calories - as CE would say - top banana!