22nd February

Slow Match report by Geoff

BLACKS….4 versus REDS….1

Yet again another excellent turnout of players at the Polideportivo on Thursday 22nd February necessitating two 7 aside matches to be played.

In an endeavour to reduce certain players from ‘running’ Breck mixed and matched both teams between those less able due to age or injury and the so called more competent. Additionally he gave the responsibility of refereeing to the respective team captains.

In the match watched by this correspondent the aforementioned strategy seemed to have had the desired effect, albeit with the exception of one individual who will remain nameless for the time being..

Towards the end of the first session Alvin put the Reds in front, slotting the ball with ease past Fred of Arsenal fame in the Blacks goal.

The latter not taking kindly to having to wear a black bib for the second successive match.

1-0 to Reds at the break.

Dazza went in goal for the Blacks in the second session and made a good save to prevent Alvin scoring again.

As is now the norm, halfway through each half the goalies now change to share out such duties.

Such a change allowed man of the match Dazza loose to equalise following a fine passing sequence by the Blacks.

1-1.

Almost immediately the Blacks scored again, when a low hard shot from Alan which should have been saved by Fish, the Reds keeper who unfortunately let the ball to go under his foot and into the back of the net.

2-1 to Blacks at end of 2nd session.

Dazza scored his second goal during the 3rd session, the highlight of which was Bambi storming off and throwing his bib to the ground, claiming he had been fouled and a free kick not given.

This turned out not to be the case as the Reds captain, Alvin had openly put his hand up to the foul, Bambi in his strop, chose to ignore this, storming off the pitch in a sulk. There is no doubt he certainly doesn’t need any lessons from Dave the plasterer on such a rant!

3-1 at end of session.

In the last session Dazza scored his hat-trick to put the Blacks 4-1 up with the ball yet again going through the legs of the Reds keeper, on this occasion a somewhat disinterested Rory. Obviously not his favoured position!

In the closing stages the Blacks were undoubtedly the more dominant team when Keith aka Bert Trautman of 1950’s fame and former German prisoner of war made a tremendous save to prevent Alan bagging his second goal for the Blacks.

Final score 4-1 to Blacks.

In conclusion a demographic survey carried out by your correspondent on the respective ages of those playing in both matches ascertained the following:

• Average age of ALL taking part 66 years.
• Oldest 79 years
• Youngest 54 years

Average age of of teams in this match report Reds 68 & Blacks 67years.

Other match Reds (Breck Capt) 64 years and Blacks (Alan Canada)Capt) 65years •Players in their 50’s – seven Players in 60’s eleven Players in 70’s ten Such data does I believe believe emphatically support the reason why running, tackling etc should be discouraged, thus reducing the chance of injury and improving enjoyment.