17 players showed up a cool late January evening ideal football conditions. Nick had the choice and went for the extra man. 1st problem of the evening no picking board which Andy Eyres was keeping safe at home. To avoid embarrassment the players were not asked to line up against the wall to be picked, but the old fashioned pen and paper came out.

Dave team comprising Blake, Geoff, Harvey, Paul, Gary, Mac and Carl were in Yellow.
Nick in white had Phil, Neil, Dave, Brian, Kenny, Laurie, Andy S, and Ben.

The first 15 minutes of the game was a fairly cagey affair, until Ben broke the deadlock with an excellent finish from just outside the penalty box. However Dave’s boys were soon back on level terms after a pass from the captain to Neil was intercepted and subsequently converted by Geoff to bring the game back to 1-1 at half time.

The teams swopped ends at half time. The second half started in much the same way as the first had finished until Geoff sprinted after the ball towards the left hand touch line and managed to back heel it to Blake, but there was a price to pay for the over exertion. Geoff’s hamstring had been over stretched and he had no option but to limp off back to the changing room clutching the back of his right leg. After some discussion about how to proceed now that it was 8 vs 6 it was decided to continue.

The loss of Geoff acted to galvanise Dave’s team and despite having the majority of the possession Nick team failed to put the ball in the back of the net, and the yellows looked dangerous on the break. Neil was sent up front to try to get the winner, but this tactic ultimately backfired when Gary brought the ball up the pitch and put a deft cross onto Carl’s head who guided it up and over Kenny’s outstretched arm and into the top corner of the net.

The yellows continued to fight a rear-guard action and managed to hold on to the lead.

A well-deserved victory 1-2 for Dave. His  team was magnificent in adversity. 

Looking forward to the return fixture.

Man on the match for me was Blake, who was keen to do all the running for the Sheen family once Geoff left the field. Although Carl’s header was the stuff of legends and will be talked about for many years (at least by Carl). 

Nick