Red (8): Gerald, Richard N, John M, John G, Kevin, Jack, Colin, Tufan
Colours (7): Oz, Bruno, Eliseu, Keith, Daniel, Steve, Julius
A missing clock, a small pitch, lack of bibs and sun. All these seemed to unsettle the large number (15 of us, well done!) of men and it was a rather strange and somewhat silent atmosphere that enveloped the game only punctured by Yellow regularly asking for the time. The grass was rather long, meadow-like even and some individuals did their best to audition for the closing credits of Little House on the Prairie. We just about managed with bibs, Red were red and Yellow were a mix of yellow and a variety of other colours.
Daniel was first in goal and flapped a lot, with a shot hitting the post and Bruno saving his blushes a couple of times. Colours inexplicably passed to John M twice in the opening few minutes even though he was wearing red. Tufan got the breakthrough about ten minutes in, slotting low past Oz from the left. He was linking up well with Colin & the two Johns and the Colours defense wasn’t particularly organised. Red got another shortly after with John M beating the keeper to the ball and firing in a low composed shot from the right. Keith saved a fierce shot from the left hurting his wrist in the process but carried on.
The second half was like the full monty with the heat getting the better of several members of the Colours. At the signal four of them stepped forward like the Arsenal offside trap and ripped off their tops. A feast for the eyes! A turnaround of possession too with Colours permanently camped in the Red third of the pitch. Attacks aplenty but a resolute rearguard let very little through. Daniel finally managed to get a chipped shot in with the keeper apparently scooping it out of the goal but Eliseu bundled it back in to make sure. A little research at full time with the dubious goals panel awarded it to Daniel who’d skimmed a cross along the top of the bar shortly before this. Pretty much the whole team were involved in the numerous attacks but it was frustrating with so little reward. Eliseu must have been particularly perturbed as he advanced from his keeping position beyond the half way line. Gerald tackled him and passed to Tufan who was already in the opposition half and he stroked into the empty net. 3-1 up to Red. Gah!
This inspired them to a short siege of their own but Colours snubbed out the threat and Bruno finally fired a low one in from the left with about five minutes to go, one goal behind. Red kicked off promising to keep possession and wind the game down. They gave the ball away within 5 seconds. Then, with three minutes to go, Tufan the keeper bundles over Oz as he’s about to shoot. Penalty! Oz dusts himself off and steps up. He shoots high towards the top left corner but Tufan dives the same way. Saved!
And then with one minute to go. Colin handles during a tussle with Eliseu who’s about to shoot. Another penalty! Oz steps up to make amends and……..the tension is there….he fires low……are you nervous?……do you care?….Wide!!! Missed again!!!!!
And he’s usually the one to say we should practice penalties!! Ha ha! Yes, Oz, you should.
Handshakes and smiles all round for a great game and an exodus for well-earned cool shower.
Final score: Red 3 – 2 Colours
A gripping report – and I did care about Oz’s penalty, it was almost as if I was there*. Never have I seen an Avatar with such likeness to its owner. Where can I get one?
*(Ah – I was there).
Another top game… Felt a bit odd, maybe it was the lack of bibs, or the extra-long grass. I am not perturbed by a couple of fluffed penalties… I insist on taking (missing) the next one! 🙂
Sorry Gerald, it took me years of over-eating in order to make myself look like my avatar.