It’s hard to take someone seriously in Reindeer pattern knitwear so Quarry’s pre-match talk was widely ignored and Game One started with Marston on the attack, playing attractive passing football. They looked dangerous, but couldn’t find a way past an alert Milton in goal. In fact many attacks were stifled by Jo-Dee and Joseph in defence, both looking ravenous despite mountains of mince pies. Santa also gave Jo-Dee new powers of concentration as he tracked and harried like a…well…a harrier. Joseph had shiny new confidence, still willing to ‘GET RID’ as his coaches calmly shout, but increasingly passing the ball to feet when circumstances allow.

Several minutes in Isaac showed his new magic boots, dancing through Marston’s defence to get the first and, to show it wasn’t a fluke, he did it again, finishing with a hat-trick. Tobi, classy as ever, arrived wearing his gift, a sparkling left foot, which he used to cut inside from the right to cause havoc. He played a big role in several goals, netting twice in Game Two.

Quarry were rampant ending the first half. Jacob snaffled a pair (in a partridge tree?), but more impressive was his ability to move the ball, quickly and decisively from defence into attack. Azlan, on at half time, showed winter coolness to add to his passing. Adam came on and read the game like a Shoot Annual, stepping up confidently from defence to cut out passes. Milton and Isaac swapped roles, Milton’s intelligent football key to several good moves, including Quarry’s Holiday Special, finished with a typical Alex flourish. Alex had no opportunity to show off his Christmas present, a remote controlled helicopter, during the game, but picked up where he’d left off in 2010, with a hat-trick and several assists (the precise number open to the usual post-match debate.) Marston battled to the end, keeping their heads up and playing passing football the right way, showing why they have had many better results this season.

The second game was another cracker. Jo-Dee, Adam, Isaac and Tobi all scored for Quarry, with Jo-Dee uncorking some of his old confidence up front. He looked skilful and assured. Kane showed some of the fruits of kicking the ball around the house all holiday, one piece of fancy footwork in particular catching the eye. Burhan worked hard for the team as usual, doing a lot of the gift-wrapping in midfield, for his team-mates to enjoy the fruits. Another treat was George, Santa’s little helper in defence, quick and dogged never letting up until he won the ball, and making several calm passes. The game ended 5-3 and was anyone’s to the end.

After the game Quarry’s coaches were grateful to have come away a score line that flattered them a lot more than their Christmas sweaters and waistlines.