A Christmas game?!
Red: Oz, JP, Daniel, John G
Yellow: Ahmet, Steve, John M, Del
Four-a-side! It was looking poor in the run up to the day but then Steve (a ghost of football past) showed an interest and brought along two friends to keep us alive! Yellow had the unknown Del and they decided to stick with what they knew as he, John M and Steve all play together. And all of a smilar school of thinking – easy pass, don’t lose possession. Red team? Well, you make your own mind up.
The unknown Del revealed that he had not much speed but a good touch to make space or pop off a deft shot or two or, as it turned out, reach a hatrick to make it 4-1 up to Yellow in the first ten minutes!
Red were embarrassed and made amends by popping in a few of their own but never managed to take the lead. All the sevens at half time.
The second half started with Red being informed that Del is 73 years of age! He plays three times a week too. To mark this news (after a few goals to either team to make it 10-10) Del surged forward whilst he was still keeper. His cross into the box didn’t meet it’s target and John G decided that the only way to beat the 73 old (who’d taunted us hitherto with his tricksy skills) was to boot the ball back up the pitch and into the empty goal to take the lead for the first time with 20 minutes to go. “That’s how to punish immaturity” was his comment but you could see through his cold, heartless attitude that there was shame in his conduct. Cynical tactics by the Scrooge of the piece. But it worked. Yellow never regained the lead that they’d held all game as Red popped away their chances.
Final score: Red 17-12 Yellow
Good to get a Christmas game and the best was yet to come – it was free. No subs. Gratis. Merry Christmas one and all!