Words were exchanged on Saturday after our game against Riversdale was called off after their pitches were in unplayable condition. I didn't take kindly to being called a 'Soft c**t' as I made my way to my car to leave. Further to this, we knew they didn't rate us as a team, and wanted to play and win only to sow up the first place in the league. It goes without saying it all left an unsatisfied taste in my mouth.

Last night was the rescheduled fixture at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex and we were all fired up to show them we weren't easy beats. It didn't start well when our coach couldn't make it due to an illness. We had to rely on our keeper and our captain to lead from the front and give us the structure we needed to win.

Things got worse... about 10 minutes in we were already 2-0 down after a well taken free-kick by Riversdale and a contentious appeal for offside was turned down and they slotted it past our keeper easily. The rest of the half was a bit of a blur with us being exposed numerous times through the middle of the park for easy through balls to be played. We all tried to have an impact but with the momentum in Riversdale favor they slotted another 3 past us. It looked bleak at half-time being down 5-0.

There was a massive sense of disappointment in the rooms at half time. Our keeper had been called up for the seniors so had to leave us so we were forced to put a backup keeper in place and adjust our structure again. As we made our way onto the pitch for the second half it was clear that with nothing to lose, we should continue to play our own game, have fun, and try and get something out of the game.

Within about 5 or 10 minutes after controlling most of the half our winger found space in the box and with a smart finish slotted it past their keeper. The momentum continued when our right back took an excellent header from a corner that the flat footed keeper watched sail into the net. By the time the third goal came around, an own goal that had the defender not have stumbled over, was heading for me with an open net to slot in, we all knew that an unlikely comeback was in our favor.

We had rattled them and the fourth goal summed up perfectly their panic with our relentless attacks. Their defender stepped over a bouncing ball in the box and it brushed his hand. A penalty was called and our striker slotted it calmly past the keeper. Rushing to get the ball back to the center for the remaining 10 minutes we had to capitalise on their panic and lack of run. It all paid off after a solo run from our striker to get into a good position and hammer it home from a tight angle. It was a great goal to equalize the scores and there was plenty of emotion in all of it.

With only a few minutes left we held on despite them returning to a very attacking structure and could have snatched a win on a few occasions. But a 5-5 result was fair and left us all feeling as if justice was done for their obvious contempt for us. As the whistle blew it felt like a victory for us and a loss for them.

It's been the highlight of the season, of that there is no doubt. With one game left and such momentum behind us I'm hoping theres enough chances on Saturday for me to get my goal.

Thanks to Jez I managed to score a Gorillaz ticket after I failed to get one through Ticketek because I didn't have a Credit Card. I was shattered I didn't get one but having a friend with the foresight to buy more than one ticket is a blessing.

I have to apologise though because now he can't scalp it for a fortune.

I've finally had some time to sit back and reflect on what I've accomplished this year. I haven't published much of my return to competitive sport this year and perhaps buoyed by the support I've received towards the end of the season I feel the need to mention it. Read on if you are interested in my perspectives of returning to football after 7 years off.

I weighed a staggering 85kg at the start of this year and as shocking as this was for me it's been the catalyst for the single most dynamic change in my life. I linked up with the Old Carey Soccer Club for their intensive pre-season training regime with no more intention than to prove to myself I could lose the weight and that I could still play football well. I was merciless on myself in those early months, never failing to miss a training session, even the early morning Saturday ones. But a 7 year absence of physical activity was not kind to me. Despite shedding 15kg by April I could still not run out games and would usually come off the bench for about 20 minutes much to the dismay of some of my team mates who justifiably perhaps didn't see much in my ability.

As the season progressed there was still one hurdle in my way. Confidence isn't something that can't be bought and my constant thought that I had forgotten how to play soccer kept being reinforced. I found myself at training being reminded of things I couldn't do, rather than concentrating on things I could. I left training sessions angry and upset at myself and at others. Despite wanting to turn it in on more than a few occasions I knew that I had to stick it out.

I turned a corner after throwing myself into a week long soccer binge, consisting of normal training, two nights training solo, a game of indoor, a game with the seconds and thirds teams, which all culminated in a conversation I had with a teammate. He pointed out that the best players in the world have no doubt about what they are going to do. Before they act, they know in their heads they are going to do it. If they don't, they just focus on the next one because they know they can. I didn't understand at first but after relating it to my own game I found just how important belief is. It's something I had when I played in school and it's something I've found again.

The season is drawing to an end now with only two games left and I find myself pushing for a starting spot most weekends. I am as fit as I've ever been. I am happy for the most part. Praise is more forthcoming and I find myself with a smile on my face at training and at games. I have the team to thank for all of it.

But with all this comes a sense of disappointment. The very fact it's taken me so long to get back into the game saddens me greatly. It feels as if I've wasted a lot of time getting to this point and the things I wasted my time with haven't been at all worth it. My mind wanders to not wanting to travel just so I can go to pre-season next year, something that sounds completely ridiculous when I say it, but feels correct in my mind. It is vitally important to me that I am involved again next year.

I don't know what's going to happen, I just know that with this hurdle conquered the next one awaits.