Forget respective league and cup glory. Arnie and Bennie Mac are really only going about their Saturday managerial business to compete for the highest honour available, that of ‘AFC Cubo Manager of the Year’.
Such a title is won over many battles. As a famous Cuban once said ‘life is a game of inches’. Inch by inch. Game by game. Social by social. Month by month.
This philosophy in mind, the victor will be crowned having amassed the most ‘Manager of the Month’ awards. Oli Watkins (Cubo Chairman, 1st XI first choice Linesman, ‘The New Pally’) will call the fine margins involved in this contest.
With the 2’s not playing in August, and Bennie Mac abdicating Gaffa’s responsibilities for the month, September was the first opportunity for the titans to face off.
The 1’s record, and indeed play, for September was much improved from that of the availability induced barren spell which had proceeded. 1 fantastic win, 2 draws and a solitary loss would have put Ben in the frame for honours had his reliability not been on par with a VW emissions test. Ben can only claim direct managerial credit for 2 draws. 2 points in the locker for the pint-sized-midfield-maestro.
Arnie meanwhile started ‘the revolution’ via a friendly on a bobble ridden Raynes Park. A 2-2 draw – new signing ‘OG’ bagging a brace – was an acceptable start for the Walsall man. League duties commenced the week after in dramatic fashion; a 3-2 win being fought for in the dying seconds. This was followed by a slightly deflating 2-1 loss. Team spirit has undoubtedly been carried in spades into October. Arnie picked up 3 points for the month, but perhaps more importantly for his sake (come the AGM) the MOTM Award for September.
Bennie Mac 0 – Arnie 1
AFC Cubo 