With 14 Hotspurs squad member being unavailable due to injuries, suspensions, dental appointments, illnesses or having suddenly remembered that they left the oven on at home, this was always going to be a difficult encounter. And so it proved.

With no recognised strikers or centre-backs (Marko was wearing a Groucho Marx cigar and nose, and no one knew who he was for a while), a deal of tactical rejigging was required, and at kick-off we had a majority of players adapting to unfamiliar roles and gazing around them as they experienced a state of 'jamais vu'. At least Bruce was playing in his accustomed position - so you can see how much trouble we were in from the start.

Despite all this, we started brightly and created some good chances – dominating much of the first half, if the truth be known – although what the truth has to do with a match report is anyone’s guess. We didn’t put them away, although Anis and Marko went close, and then we were hit by the classic counter-attacking sucker punch, as Brewerkz broke, and scored the only goal of the opening period.

More of the same was to follow in the second half, and the turning point of the match was, arguably, when Chris missed a chance at the back post – he subsequently cited ‘rustiness’; others suggested the colour of his boots, which at least he had the decency to leave at the ground after the match, for the robins to nest in – and Brewerkz went up the other end and doubled their lead.

It was harsh, cruel even, but that’s football, them’s the breaks, plus ca change, and an apple a day gathers no moss – unless you leave it in your window box or roll it down a hill on a Spring day.

The Hotspurs tired visibly as the game wore on, while Brewerkz were able to introduce fresh legs – 10 of them at least, although it seemed like more – and it was no surprise that they made it 3-0 before full time.

The bottom line: Hotspurs fought hard, battled well and kept a stiff upper lip throughout and played some decent stuff, but didn’t take the chances that were created. Brewerkz retained the ball well, distributed efficiently and, on the day, had greater strength in depth. 1 and ½ - 0 would possibly have been a fairer result, but football is not a game of half measures.

Significantly, there was some really good football played by both teams, and the spirit of competition was healthy and well channelled. A big ‘word up’ to the ref who had a fine game – didn’t put a foot wrong, allowed the game to flow, didn’t take any crap, and must have been fitter than Alan Wiley at Old Trafford later in the day.

There were good debuts for Chris and Jamie, and we look forward to seeing more of them as the season progresses, and we bid a fond farewell to our tractor driving, scrumpy slurping, penalty taking striker – who produced a Man of the Match performance on Saturday…playing centre-back (it was that kind of game). Mike Byrne wore the Hotspurs shirt with pride (certainly not with élan) and put in some great shifts for us. He is flying the Singapore coop, pursuing a Masters in Gummedgery and Silage Design, and we will miss his on-field presence as well as his unusual sense of humour at post-match drinks and barbecues.