Red: Tom, Alan, Arnie, Prit, ?, ? + 1 temporary extra (aka The Hairdressers)
Yellow: Oz, Ahmet, Tufan, John G, Stuart, Kevin, Daniel, (aka The Estate Agents)
On the Eid!
So El Capitano’s enthusiasm didn’t wash on many and just seven of us turned up in the heat so we offered to play the Hairdressers.
A slightly scrappy game with not much of note. Yellow scored first. I then got salty sweat in my eyes so didn’t see them equalise. We got ahead again only for them to pin us back once more. Frequent attempts at what would have been impressive defence-splitting passes were cut out regularly by both teams and the width of the pitch was used well with Tufan often making a ramadan the wing. Alan liked juggling while in goal. We were one man up until they took on a youngster in the latter part of the first half. He made an immediate impact by slotting in but by the break Yellow were already 5-2 up.
Thank you Oz for half-time popsicles. Sadly Daniel couldn’t figure out how to get into his, a fact mirrored on the pitch by his utter inability to figure out how to put the ball in the goal. Red were definitely up for it in the second half. They hajj lots of possession with Tom being the most effective man on the pitch, distributing all around but they couldn’t mecca work. We somehow limited their chances despite their passing superiority, Kevin resolute with ever-changing defensive staff around him. They ought to have punished us even more especially as they went a man up when Stuart’s ankle gave out early in the second half. This was only his third game of the last two years (he’s won all three), a long and intermittent recuperation. He looked like it was serious but we hope not – get well soon sir. Although Red should have restored at least some parity, they lost their impetus as the youngster departed mid-way through the second half as he was too knackered to carry on! Daniel missed a sitter, sorry two, make it three. Actually, I lost count. He was supported by Ahmet and Tufan who also impressed by their lack of killer instinct so double figures eluded us even though Tufan did eventually find the net. I think they thought we were taking the proverbial as one of them walked off to go home ten minutes before the end. But no, he just wanted to go home. He was persuaded to stay but you could feel they knew it was a lost cause. John G got on the score sheet too but Oz was on fire, islammed in at least 5!!!
Final score: Yellow: 8 – 3 Red
What? The Edinburgh Festival? You’re too kind.