Yellow (5): Gerald, Colin, JP, Steve, Tim
Red (5): Kevin, Daniel, James, Richard N, Simon
Hot, sunny, firm.
The other team didn’t have enough and clamoured for us to join them but with 5-a-side already there wasn’t going to be any subsidising their lack of attendence. No siree. Especially with JP wanting an easy, clean game and Kieran unable to look him in the eye.
5-a-side then after 5 minutes when Simon (a ringer) asks for a game. Tim returns just over a year after his injury, welcome back sir!
A slow start, really slow. Red kicked off and strolled forward but in no rush to pass. Yellow didn’t seem keen on pressing. It did speed up a bit but not much. JP even tutted to himself when he lost control of the ball under no pressure from anyone and still had plenty of time to gather it back and try again. Yellow notched up two goals after the initial quiet period and Red then pulled two back including a nice header from Simon. This was almost copied by Daniel except for a fingertip reaction save from Steve(!). 2-2 at half time.
Red then went ahead at the beginning of the second half. This was promptly undone by Daniel fumbling a not very testing shot but he made amends shortly afterwards to reinstate the one goal advantage with a large puff which he repeated on every subsequent shot. Even-stevens from then on….3-3, 5-5, 7-7, justice being declared upon every goal. Red always managed to gain an adavantage and yellow pulling it straight back. Colin looked to be in the perfect position to pull Yellow ahead when the ball bounced for him a yard in front of goal after a keeper/defending/attacking melee nearby. However, even though he was facing the right way and had no one between him, the ball and the goal he still managed to allow Richard N to grope his hand around him to grapple the ball away from danger. Amusing. I reckon that’s why Richard N wins the goalkeeping award each year. Jeremy would never have been out of position in the first place ‘cos he’s a good keeper. Mr Norman in comparison, much more entertaining. Tim just avoided an own goal volley but Steve had already deflected one into his own net. It was about 50/50 possession but Red seemed to keep the ball on the ground more while Yellow put in the majority of aerial crosses. And then in the last ten minutes Red took their chances and pulled away to binary bliss. Yellow had no answer and accepted the inevitable as the clock ticked down. A clean and easy game that JP had so desired.
Final score: Yellow 7 – 10 Red
Macfest on Saturday next week – Will you be wheat or will you be chaff?