Week 1 of the new season saw a revamped Shambles team return to the fray. New Keeper Dan and the new super sriker Craig are warmly welcomed to the fold.

Due to injury and unavoidable absence, the game also saw the return, although he has not yet missed a game since announcing his retirement, of CAPTAIN CARTHORSE!!

The crowd of 5, which included this reporter, were hoptng to see a feast of sexy football, however I think the participants had been drinking as neither side managed to rise to the occasion on this first outing.

The initial stages were evenly contested and much to their relief, it was the Shambles who took an early lead through Ade. Those of us used to the rollercoaster journey that is the Shambles' season, were not surprised when the Shambles conceded two goals to fall behind.

At times, the Shambles found themselves adopting the "moth to the flame" mentality which has been their undoing so many times.

Mercifully the new blood, in the shape of Craig, hit the back of the net, to equalise at 2-2.

An error strewn first half saw BBQ score another two goals to take a 4-2 lead into the break.

The second half amounted to a tit-for-tat approach to scoring. Both sides were not exactly at peak fitness, in fact there was enough timber on display to replenish the Amazon Rainforest, however the endeavour could not be faulted.

The Shambles scored again through Ade to narrow the gap[, 4-3. BBQ then scored again to make it 5-3.

In the dying minutes Ade made it a HATRICK, 5-4, but again BBQ responded to make it 6-4.

To be fair, I don't believe either side deserved to win on that performance, as they both showed a frailty which may be their undoing over the course of the long season.

Again for the Shambles there was cause for optimism as the team scored 4 goals and a fine debut by the newcomers, however this is tempered by an obvious defensive frailty which needs to be sorted if they are to do well.