Version Jeremy
Our team: Gerald, Jack, Jeremy, Jim, JP and Oz + ringer.
With numbers looking shaky (e.g. Jack being one of only three who committed to turn up!) the four of us, (OZ, JP, Jeremy, Jim) nervously approached 8-strong hairdressers to ask if we could join in. They agreed, but carried on their informal kick around letting us set up the pitch alone. Out of the mist appeared Jack (oh ye of little faith!) and Gerald. So with just one of the hairdressers on loan, a 7-a-side game commenced.
We took an early lead, when Jeremy poached a goal from the hands of the keeper. They scored two to edge in front. However two goals from our ‘ringer’ ensured a 3-2 half time lead.
(For some unknown reason a different hairdresser joined us for the second half – and those present earlier in the summer will remember just how good he is). In the second half we played downhill and they had no answer to our counter attacking football. Goals from JP(2?), Oz (a delightful nut meg on the last man)and Jack (sweet strike from 20 yards) were met with only one from them.
7-3 the final score to us.
The game was memorable for our Dunkirk spirit vs their potty-mouthed bickering. On paper, the teams were quite close and they prob had more possession than us. However, they had no answer to our resolute defending (even JP putting in several good shifts at the back) and general team spirit. By the end they were shouting insults at each other and even wanted the game to stop before time. (Maybe if it were a boxing match it would have been….)
Also memorable was a succession of misses from Jim. No one can deny he was taking up some good positions, but missed some very close range chances in the first half. By miss, I mean miss the ball entirely. By the second half some contact with the ball was being made, and his final shot of the game was even on target. You sensed that if we had just kept playing for another hour or so, then that elusive goal would have come. (This is not to detract though from Jim’s overall input and work rate).
Version Gerald
Marvellous. Although I’m sure it was 8-3 as the second-half ringer scored a brilliant solo effort. it’s important that we keep faithful records for posterity (in 100 years when Peckham Commoners are bigger than Real Madrid and geeky historians defossilise our website to find our match reports).
Version Oz (part 2)
For some reason I thought the score was 7-3 to us. Can those who played remember our scorers? I remember the 1st ringer scored two and Jeremy 1 in the 1st half. In the 2nd half I scored the 4th. Not sure about after that… I think JP got a couple, the 2nd ringer got one(?) and Jack definitely got one. So that’s 8! Well remembered Gerald!
A final word from El Capitano
Official Final score: 8-3
Thanks to Oz and Jeremy for the consistency of the two reports. Exemplified by Oz saying we went 0-1 down whilst Jeremy says we went 1-0 up.
Also this quote: “….the four of us, (OZ, JP, Jeremy, Jim) nervously approached 8-strong hairdressers to ask if we could join in.” That could be construed to mean so much more.