Mitchie hadn't played a for a few weeks and talk of how many kilos you'd put on dominated the pre game banter.  It would appear Phuket Dan won the day when he tried to sneak Kev Milnes jersey.  The game started very evenly with both teams knocking the ball around.  Scotty K was very solid in the centre with Dan, Mark, Grant and Chris all playing solidly at the back.

Halfway during the first half the midfield started to dominate.  Mick I and Kev in the middle and Pedr and Johny Mc outwide.  Kiwi Rays injection was also a standout, we should fire him up more often.  Effort was rewarded when Glenn R slotted one home to put Mitchie 1 up at half time.

The second half saw annother xxl jersey get a run with Mylo coming on.  He mixed in the middle and with Ray again began to dominate.  With Pete Britt and Glenn putting plenty of pressure on up front Mitchie went 2 up after some good lead up work saw Pete B get his first of the year.  Another team that learnt the lesson, don't stir Glenn up.  After winning the free 45 yards out he slotted home the resulting kick with a blinder. 

Special mention to big Jules who kept HPH scoreless.  I thought one had snuck through his legs but he assurred me his belly was still behind it.  Well done Jules on another fine display between the sticks.

Mitchie travelled to a wet and cold Richlands to take on the Qld Lion Kings.  Mitchie was feeling pretty confident after Scott K made a rare appearance upfront for the premier reserves last week, but this confidence was short lived as he underestimated the pace of Div 4 over 35s and pulled  calf muscle,  This left our irish international Mylo the chance to step into help.  After pointing out where left back was he had a good game.

The Lion Kings defended stoutly in the first half and kept the Nics goalless.The Nics kept pressuring and Glenn R launched a savage drive that took a deflection and ended up in the back of the net.  He assurred me it was going in anyway.  This was quickly followed up with a close range tap in from Paul and then the best goal of the night scored by Tony Bernardi after some great build up.  Big Walshy, Kevy M and Peter B controlled the midfield and Mark G and Grant B were solid.  Big jules had a quiet night but there will be plenty to come in the following weeks.

Next game was off to Moggill, always a very friendly game.  We traveled with only 13 and it wasn't long before it was 12 with Pedr getting a hair out of place, I mean pulling a groin.  The Nics though played well on a small field with Glenn R and Kev M both getting a hat trick.  The highlight of the night was a subperb run down the right flank by Grant who drilled the ball into the back of the goal from an acute angle.  This sparked wild celebrations the likes of which have not been seen for quite a while.

Mogill tried hard but in the end the Nics were comfortable winners.  The festivities were quick and strong with Mike Ivey and Big Julian leading the way.  As I had responsibilities to get Ray, Pedr, Dan and Mark home I was well behaved as normal.

In the top of the table clash at Teralba Park both teams started the game well.  It was a frenetic pace with both sides having chances to score but it was the Nics who went 1 up when Paul Sherwood popped one over the top for Glenn Ramsay to finish.  Very unselfish play. Without the pace of Big Chris in the midfield the Nics were beginning to be put under the pump.  Johnny Mac, Ray P. Mike I, and Pedr keep digging in deep. 

Afetr half time a free kick to Jimboomba saw them equalise despite the best efforts of Jules in wall creation.  This meant for tense 20 minutes.  Dan W, Grant B, Mark G and Tony B were superb at the back and contunued to repel Jimboomba.  A kick off the line from Mark was quite spectacular.  Withe 10 to go Kev M shimmied one way, then another, then another and another and another and then drilled it from 25 yards.  The Nics held on for a great win.  Special thanks to the ref and Jimboomba in what was a good game played in the right spirit.

  It's half way through the season (one catch up game to go) and Mitchie are well placed to tackle the second half of the season.  After the first game against WS this was shaping as a good contest and was played in a good spirit.  Our only complaint was the man in middle who literally stayed in the middle.

The Nics started confidently knocking the ball around well.  But the game was fairly even until late in the first half when General Custer promoted to midfield did a superb run and ended up slotting a nice goal away.  Half time saw the Nics up 1 - 0.

The second half continued in the same vain with the man in the middle staying in the middle and the Nics continued to dominate.  A great team goal from Mike Ivey who later proclaimed it as his "virgin goal" and another long range effort saw the Nics get up for a 3 nil win.

We later found out that key play maker and all round good gtuy Peter Britt had spent a couple of nights in hospital with a heart complaint.  I assured the guys that he didn't need to harden up and our thoughts are with him.

The day of reckoning had arrived and there was an air of anticipation.  No not Rays baby but the rematch with Redlands Redstars.  The Nics were pumped and raring to go.  The game started evenly with both teams having chances.  The backs though held firm again led brilliantly by Kev General Custer Milne, Scotty K, Dan W, Tony B and Mark G.  It wasn't until the super coach was subbed that the first goal was scored unforetunetly by Redlands.  Big Jules was finding the slippery conditions not to his liking but he again had another solid match.  Mitchie were not to be outdone though and equalised quickly through a great move between Glenn and Paul with Paul slotting it away.

The midfield had got on top Pete B was racking up the miles with Big Chris not far behind him (well maybe just a little), Mike I and Pedr were all begining to make inroads.  Ray P also had a strong game and I think his team mates were all more nervous than him about the impending birth. Next though it was galloping Grant with a great run down the right side who won us a penalty.  The coach was a bit nervous when Paul Woodwork Sherwood stepped up but there was no need to worry making it 2 - 1.  Redlands were starting to try and put the Nics off thier game, but you don't get Glenn R mad.  In one of the goals of the season Glenn cracked a 30 m screamer leaving the keeper with no chance.  3 -1 half time.

The second half was a torrid affair and Redlands came back into the match through a penalty.  But it was again our leading goal scorer Paul S who racked up another one to make it 4 -2.  Galloping Grant had two or was that three good chances but was unlucky not to slot them away.  Irish international Mylo had his best game of the season propping up the bar and looking after the massive crowd that turned up to watch.

Final score 4 - 2 and a great game boys.  Thanks to Kev for backing up as keeper for Div 2.  Julian was most grateful.

Mitchie travelled to chilly Samford for their round 6 match and with the King Mylo making his return from multiple injuries the crowd waited with extra anticipation.  In a surprise move though he started on the bench.  Both teams started well with Big Chris and Ray P working hard in midfield.  Pedr and Medium Walshy looked for opportunities to attack but it was Samford who posted the first goal after a wayward pass from the super coach (one of many in fact someone asked whether I had a blue shirt under the Mitchie one).  This spurred Mitchie on and good work from Scott K, Kev M and Walshy saw Paul S bring Mitchie back level.

Big Julian had already proved his toughness by turning up in thongs (on his feet) and shorts in the chilly weather and his reputation was only enhanced by another solid display in goals.

Mike Ivey came on and kept the hammy intact and Tony B held firm in central defence.  Mitchie soon went 2 -1 when Paul slotted home another good goal.  At last the crowd got what they had come for the Irish international Mylo was injected into the game.  It was just like old times with Mylo explaining to Walshy the finer points of the game and making his presence felt & dominating midfield.  Half time and Pete Britt did a Mark and got their in the Nic of time.

In a moment of inspiration medium Walshy ran down the left wing, turned sharply, turned sharply again (I know mitchie fans hard to believe) and then curled a ball that left the Samford defenders not sure what to do with it and in the end had the slightest of touches to see it go in.  It would be a

travesty to say it was an own goal.  In true Walshy ethos style he offered to have it count against Pete B's missed penalty.  A true gentleman. The Nics were passing the ball around nicely and a flick pass from Kev saw Paul run onto to get his third and another hat trick  Glenn Ramsays no show with a drinking problem may cost him dearly with Paul having shot to the goal scoring leaderboard.

Mitchie could have gone further ahead when Dan W made a great run from the back only to see his shot go just over the bar.  We had to ring a taxi to get him back to his position but he loved it. Samford did not give up though and got another just before fulltime.

Well done Nics, it was good to see the effort all put in, the excecution will come (hopefully).

I'm afraid I'm off on hols so this will be short & sweet.

In what was a close and even game both teams tried hard to get an advantage.  The Nics had patches and appeared jaded after 3 games in 1 week.  Paul S got us board and he never stopped trying all night.  Big Walshy, Chris, Johny Mc, Ray P worked hard.  We welcomed back Scotty K who with Dan, Tony B, and Grant ran all night.  Special mention to Julian on another great game and to Peter B who ran his heart out.  Also Pedr, 2 headers and not a hair out of place. Thanks to Mike (Chris) for helping out.  Hope you enjoyed it.

I'll be eating mud crabs tomorrow and drinking beer on woodgate beach.Gotta go, well done, enjoy 10 days off & we'll be back harder and stronger next week.

The Nics travelled to Western Spirit for a trial a match.  Skipper Scotty K was immediately concerned when the ref threatened those with drinking an automatic red card.  Scotty held his breath tossed a coin and the Nics started a new season.  The new season started slowly with the Nics conceding a goal but they soon found some form.  New goalie Julian was big presence in goal and star signing Chris was even a bigger presence in mid field.  Goal of the year saw Pedr K find Todd at the back post.  Most of north Brisbane has since heard of this feat and his wife is sick of hearing of it.

5 - 2 in end but most pleasing was the ethos. Keep it up,  Well done