Footballing Glory, almost.

The annual 5-a-side Marine Challenge Cup took place in Dulwich last week. It wasn't quite Türkiye v Georgia or Spain v France but a very exciting series of victories led MFB's intrepid team to the final of the plate tournament where they did awfully well, and then valiantly lost in the dying moments.

The team included;

• Ryan Hunter (who was applauded by many on the sidelines for continuing to drink his bottle of beer whilst on goal-keeping duties in the final)

• Adam Vrahnos (who made some great saves during the early games – and then as a spectator took sledging to the next level, mainly aimed at Ryan)

• Tom Batten (who you are warned to avoid crossing paths with if he is moving at anything above walking pace as he doesn’t / can’t stop)

• Ellie Hall (who was very modest in her abilities but has clearly played the game before and put on a great show against some tough opponents)

• Samuel Hacking (with some excellent defensive work – and a well-timed round of beer at the end of the day when most of us couldn’t walk anymore)

• Ollie McGaw (who got himself into fine shooting positions on several occasions before pirouetting, missing the ball and bringing great joy to the spectators)

• Charlie Young (who ran the show in midfield time-and-again and still made it home for kids’ bathtime)

• Captain Matt Montgomery (who did most of the running around and got to collect the trophy)

Congratulations on a glorious victory, almost.