12th October

 Match report by Geoff

Keynsham Whites ….3 Benalmadena Blacks ….3

To make both sides nine aside Fish and Nigel guested for our visitors in what was the last match of a mini tour to the Costa del Sol.

In what turned out to be a really enjoyable game between two evenly matched teams the match began with a strongly disputed claim for a goal by the home side when the Whites goalie fumbled a shot which H as match referee disallowed because ball had clearly only bounced on the line and not into the goal.

Bambi, as is his want, did not agree and had to be warned about his vociferous language.

Colin S put the local boys one up after 5 minutes with one of his typical striker goals which was cancelled out a few minutes later by Steve for the visitors making the score level at the first water break.

The second session began with Keef making a fantastic save for the Blacks  tipping a shot destined for the top right hand corner of the goal  over the crossbar for a corner.

Just before the water break Nigel put the Whites in front to lead 2-1.

Martin on resumption of the third session put the Whites further in front against the run of play with a fine angled shot past Steve L in the Blacks goal, 3-1.

The Blacks then responded with a well taken individual goal from Steve aka Rick Parfitt look alike reducing the deficit to just one goal to make for an interesting finale in the last quarter.

3-2 to Whites.

Both teams had numerous chances in the last session before Colin S equalised with a terrific late goal and although it pains me to say it following a fine through pass from the belligerent Bambi, the only worthwhile thing he did in the match.

Fittingly the match ended 3-3 for our visitors to be given a traditional send off on the bar balcony afterwards where trip organiser Steve Collins kindly presented a pennant as a memento of there visit to the Polideportivo for it to be displayed in the bar area with other memorabilia.

Slow Game Report by your local correspondent

Keynsham Greens….2 versus Benalmadena Blacks ….4

As in the other game, a couple of the local Benalmadena players swapped into the visiting Keynsham squad and into tabards of a colour that should only be worn by cyclists who persistently cycle up one way streets the wrong way.

Prior to the game, the commander had problems with the list of players, frequently sending them to the wrong pitch. rumour has it that there are still people wandering around parts of Benalmadena still looking for the pitch they are playing on!

During this report, no names will be mentioned :- a) to protect the innocent and b) your correspondent is as synonymous with remembering names as Liberace is to spot welding.

In an evenly fought contest, both teams trying to play a good standard of walking football in a match refereed by the respective captains, the game was played in a great spirit.

The blacks raced into a 2-0 lead at the end of the first half, however the Keynsham select managed to get the game all square by the end of the 3rd quarter.

With your correspondent going into the select goal for the final quarter, the Select side immediately perked up and started to put pressure on the home goal. Pressure was relieved for Benalmadena when your correspondent,reminiscent of Scottish goalkeepers in the 70’s , let the ball go straight through his hands and into the net to put the Blacks 3-2 up.

In the final, dying embers of the game a speculative strike from well outside the box, hit the roof of the net and gave a scoreline which did not reflect the game as a whole of 4-2 to the Benalmadena side.

The final whistle , actually the polideportivo manager shouting ‘Come in number 63, your tie is up’ ended an enjoyable game.

The teams retired to the balcony for drinks and Tapas and to hear the commanders account of his part in the arrest of Jack the Ripper.

Here’s trusting the Keynsham players enjoyed their time in Benalmadena and a safe journey home!