Plus 30 vs Supporting Charities FC
Written by Andy Eyres
A first 11-a-side game for the Plus 30's in over two years was organised for a worthy cause for Prostate Cancer Charities. A perhaps daunting task for a team not hugely experienced in the full format of the game, against a team of seasoned players, mixing ex-pro's, current pro's and some 'fancy Dan' soap stars who nobody recognised.
The Plus 30's started with a solid 4-4-2 formation.
Nathan GK, Tom, Neil, Mike and Andy H forming the defence
Andy E, Gary P, Jonny & Dave in Midfield
Hungover Nick and 'Deadly' Jay up top.
A good attendance gave us a bench mixed with age, experience and skills to allow rolling subs.
Game started off quite cautiously, though quickly it emerged the SCFC team were well drilled and knocked the ball around well, some quality ball players in the middle would look to stretch the game wide, and tire us out. First 10 minutes, we struggled to keep hold of the ball and get our passing going. We were 1-0 down about 15mins in, with a scrambled goal at the far post, with Andy H narrowly avoiding a clash with the goal post.
A couple of good saves from Nathan kept us going, and we soon created our first real efforts on goal. Andy and Gary in the middle released Dave down the right, neat interplay with Jay to draw a first save from their keeper. The resulting corner dropped to Andy E on the edge of the box, with a quick shot in the top corner tipped over the bar by their keeper. A good 10 mins of pressure yielded no breakthrough, and soon after 2-0 down. Some good work from them, sent their striker round the back of our centre halves, and finish from a tight angle.
I think it stayed 2-0 until half time, so not a bad half, and we certainly weren't embarrassed.
A stirring team talk from Tom at half time we were hopeful of a turnaround in fortunes, but their half time changes seemed to strengthen them further!
They brought on a striker reminiscent of a cross between Michael Johnson & Mike Tyson. Solid, strong, and fast as f*ck! A usually solid Neil was brushed aside. A couple more goals followed, leaving us 4-0 down with a mountain to climb.
Our changes brought in some fresh legs across the middle, Dave, Gary the Pharmacist, and Cush working well to compete with their mobile midfield duo.
Then our moment came...a great strike from the edge of the box (cant remember who hit it) but I was convinced it crossed the line, reminiscent of Lampard for England pre Goal-line Technology, it wasn't to be, Jay was barely two yards out to bury the rebound into an open net. How could he miss....!? Anyway, he missed, somehow, still not sure how, even the replays showed mind bending physics to not score from 2ft 6inces from the goal line :D
That could have been the comeback on…
Another well taken goal from Tyson up front left us at 5-0.
By no means was it a 5-0 game at this stage, clinical finishing from them was the difference, and they continued to use their experience and the size of the pitch to their advantage. A rare fumble from our keeper provided a fluke and undeserved 6th goal for them, to flatter the scoreline.
We brought on some Plus 30's originals for the last 5 minutes (Geoff Andy S & Laurie) we created a few more chances before the final whistle, and 1 more put on a plate for Jay to miss!
Well played to everyone involved, a good yet tiring experience. Despite the scoreline, we should be proud of the performance and effort considering the quality of the opposition.
They gave their MOM to their goalie, so that in itself should tell us on another day, we would have buried a few chances, but he got his hands to the majority of our best efforts.
No final total on money raised yet, but I'm sure Tom will update us, and it will allow prostate Cancer research to continue, and give more doctors the opportunity to finger our bum holes in the future!