Red (5): Oz, Gerald, Ed, Colin, James C
Yellow (4): Ahmet, Jim N, Matt, Daniel
Blustery. A drop or two of rain cleared upon the whistle so we basked in the blinding sun for 80 minutes – No real clear attempts in the opening period but that was finally broken in the 14th minute by Jim going on a solo run down the left and firing in. Red replied soon after. I say replied – Matt should get a job in the John Lewis gift department for Christmas such was his presentation to Red with an attempted goal kick up the middle that failed to make the intended recipient. It was intercepted, unwrapped and delivered back from whence it came. Then the beginning of the controversy. A handball in the Red area? The discussion went on for a while but the game continued. Then Jim N blatantly handled on the edge of the area at the other end. Free kick given which Colin took with a tricksy move which didn’t quite pay off. At some point around here Jim’s knee accidently met with James C’s lip. Not a pleasant welcome back for a man whose been away for months due to cricket commitments and six weddings! I feel your pain. Standing around a field waiting for nothing to happen must be dull. Bud-dum, tsch! Thankyouverymuch.
Just before halftime, Yellow popped in another to go 2-1 up. At the same point last week with the same number of people on the pitch, 17 goals had been scored.
Red kicked off the second half. Nothing much sticks in my mind other than another questionable handball in the Red area. This time the penalty was given although Ed argued that the advantage had been palyed on. For the wrong team, nice try though. Ahmet calmly fired low into the corner to put daylight between the scores. Then a dangerous ball from Matt was fired diagonally into the danger area and with two Yellows rushing on Oz could only divert into his own net and Yellow looked to be running away with victory, the game standing at 5-2 with five minutes to go. But two quick goals (including an exact copy of Oz’s own goal, this time at the other end – Daniel diverting James’ through ball into his own net with Colin on his shoulder) left the game in the balance. But with only 20 seconds on the clock Matt managed to keep possession to let the seconds tick by before passing back to Ahmet who hoofed it up the pitch as the clock signalled the end. Some tasty goalkeeping in there too – Ed with a quick double save against Daniel, Gerald took one in the chest and Jim with a lightening reaction to push over Oz’s effort.
Final score: Red 4 – 5 Yellow