17th June

Match 1 report by Geoff

REDS….4 versus BLACKS…3

Yet another excellent turnout on Monday at the Polideportivo enabling two 7 aside matches to be played , plus Alvin as substitute for the more elite or faster game.

A warm welcome was given to newbies Prak and Michael, both included in the seniors game, otherwise colloquially known as old farts.

The latter no reflection on their age, but just a means of assessing their ability. Both senior teams were evenly matched in a tight first session, this reflected by there only being one goal scored. This, a blaster from distance by Nigel, going straight through the outstretched hands  of the Leicester Fox in the Blacks goal.

1-0 to Reds.

This lead was short lived when Jim at the beginning of the second session slotted one past H in the Reds goal.

1-1

Once again playing unlimited touches as opposed to the normal 3 touch football, both teams played  some nice intricate flowing football.

The deadlock was eventually broken when goal poacher supreme Ken, left completely unmarked scored, to put the Reds back in front.

2-1 this Reds at the break.

In the third session Ken scored a terrific individual goal  and then for good measure got another for his hat trick,  this for the second consecutive match.

He really loves this format with smaller teams, what a good player he must have been in his younger days.

4-1 to Reds.

In the last session the Blacks made a superb fight back.

The first goal by Jim, as a result of a square pass across the Reds goal area by newbie Mike, giving the former the formality of hitting the ball into the back of the Reds net.

4-2 to Reds.

Then, the goal of the match from the Wily Old Fox, taking the ball from a quickly taken corner by Jim, from some 15 yards out he  hit a terrific angled shot into the top right hand corner of the Reds net, giving H in goal no chance to save.

4-3 to Reds.

This goal making up for a similar shot earlier in the game by the Fox which H plucked out of the air with ease, much to the former’s disgust.

By now the Reds were under immense pressure and undoubtedly pleased to hear the final whistle to secure a narrow win. For the Reds, despite still recovering from a leg injury, Nigel was always a threat with his powerful ball striking, especially from distance.

Newbie Prak had an impressive debut, most noticeably with his excellent ball control and  distribution. Undoubtedly, he will have been talent spotted into the elite squad for the next match. Plus, not forgetting yet another hat trick from old stager Ken, the oldest player on the pitch.

For the Blacks, Fred another old stager at 78 years old was thrilled to have kept a clean sheet for the last session, making several fine saves with his torso.

Like he said, nothing much gets past this Gooner, especially with his physique and with the smaller nets!

It was also nice to see Dave ‘Sparrow’ return and put in a workman like performance, chirping away and organising his teammates.

Once again, it would be remiss not to mention Frank as the oldest ball boy in Spain, keeping both matches flowing, no easy task when Dazza’s is in one of the matches.

In conclusion, great to see Crocodile Dundee making an appearance and taking the time to watch both matches. Hope to see you back playing soon.

Not surprisingly, the ‘Croc’ did’nt forget to stay for a beer afterwards.

 

Match report 2 by Rory

As the 23/24 season draws to a close, WFS was enjoying another great turnout which forced our Keef’s team selection algorithm to select an 8 against 7 for the match on the far pitch where the guys were given license to run around as much as they wanted. It was good to have Dazza back, although his knees didn’t want to be there and let him know it. Fortunately, he was playing with the reds who had eight, including one-touch Terry with his numerous flicks and one-twos perfectly designed to break the spirit of the most experienced trundling footballer. The defence looked rock solid with running not walking Dave the cab playing alongside dependable fullback Tim who was now fully recovered from (we all hate) Leeds miserable performance in the playoffs. Total football Han played a double pivot in midfield with our Keef (don’t ask me what that means), with the deadly duo of wee Eddie and Dave the Bee rounding off what looked like a pretty good team.
The blacks looked pretty tasty themselves, starting with Rick in goal which was a decidedly risky move as he struggled to peer through his fringe. Dodri marshalled the defence alongside last minute entrant Alvin. Steve, Kaj (T800) and Rory played across the middle with little Al given licence to roam far and wide across the frontline. The reds kicked off and proceeded to keep possession for the first 5 minutes before deciding that maybe the opposition should also have a kick of the ball. The blacks were a bit more direct but equally profligate in front of goal and neither keeper had much to do.
The blacks must have already been thinking about the summer on the beach when the reds strung together another 5000 passes and pulled the defence (what there was of it), out of position. Our Keef knocked a great through ball to wee Eddie who gave Rick the eyes, before slotting it home into the bottom corner. A great finish as usual. Reds 1-0 Blacks.
The blacks were knocked out of their torpor and started to work the ball forward with more pace and eventually engineering a corner thanks to some nice work from Steve and Alan. From the resulting corner Rory drilled the ball across the goal to be met first time by the T800, who’s new football friendly programming enabled him to smash the ball into the top corner with his right peg. What a superb goal to draw the blacks level. Reds 1-1 Blacks
The reds were always dangerous with Duracell charged (our) Keef rampaging about the pitch looking for space and opening up some gaps for wee Eddie. The blacks’ defence was standing strong and managing to hold off some great build up play until the reds manufactured a lucky break. With the ball pinballing around in front of goal, the blacks failed to boot it clear before if bounced up kindly off Kaj’s shin into wee Eddie’s path. The ball was at an awkward height, but wee Eddie still managed to get the end of his toe on it and guide it into the net off the post. Reds 2-1 Blacks.
Although the heat was beginning to take its toll on the depleted blacks, they had effectively parked the bus in front of their goal and skilfully survived a series of near misses as total football Han and our Keef started to dominate the midfield. Steve had done his best to start a series of low level arguments about defining tackles from behind and the side, but this only slowed the reds up temporarily. The blacks finally had a stroke of luck and managed to hit the reds on the break as they mounted another attack on the blacks’ goal. A great ball from Alan sent Steve through on goal. Our Keef set off in hot pursuit and nudged Steve just as he was pulling the trigger. Everyone knows if Keef hadn’t put in the challenge, Steve would have missed the goal anyway, but the nudge on his back was enough for ref John to whistle for a penalty. Although the decision seemed a tad harsh, Paragraph 64 subsection 28(b) of the WFS Rule Book is pretty definitive on this issue and a penalty was the right decision. Alan stepped up and beautifully belted the ball past the statuesque Dazza, who’s sore knees were forcing him to duck for cover. The blacks had themselves a surprise equaliser. Reds 2-2 Blacks.
The play resumed a familiar pattern with wee Eddie and Dave the Bee combining well to threaten the blacks’ goal, but the blacks defence holding firm with Alvin and Kevo putting in some great blocks to keep the scores level. Things got worse for the reds when after a rare foray forward, our Keef was spotted tip-toeing his way through the tulips in the penalty area, and was spotted by the eagle eyed John who had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Sorry Keef, incompetence is no excuse. Up stepped Alan to confidently plant the ball in the back of the net past Dazza putting in a fairly good impression of a block of wood in goal. Reds 2-3 Blacks
The game had time for one more controversy when wee Eddie received the ball just outside the box. With his back to goal, he turned brilliantly, only to be wrestled to the ground by the T800, whose programming had reminded him that his purpose was to destroy the human race. Once a local crane was deployed to lift the T800 off wee Eddie, no foul was given as wee Eddie was judged to be deploying his skills as an Italian forward playing in the Euros and had flung himself to the floor as if he’d been taken out by a sniper’s bullet. While wee Eddie was stretchered off, and the T800 was given a squirt of oil, Steve took advantage of some confusion among the reds’ defence to stroll up front with the ball and score a fourth goal for the blacks. Final score Reds 2-4 Blacks.
A thoroughly undeserved win for the blacks, but of course all wins taste sweet, no matter what the circumstances. It was a good game with some nice football played by both teams punctuated by some great goals. Thanks to John for keeping the rabble in check. Well played everyone.