Benahavis 3rd August

MATCH REPORT – BENAHAVIS 6th July by your chief Football reporter Rob Fitzgerald

Attendance up to a new high of 25 at the Stadium (reminiscent of Watford games).
This meant a new format and a trial of 3 teams playing round robin x 2.
A big welcome to new boys Michael and Stuart and guest Ronnie who showed no signs of debutant nerves with solid performances.

First game up Blues v Reds. Popeye and Andrew baulking at donning the red shirt of their despised enemy! James, enjoying himself in the red of his beloved second team (Clydebank) notched 2 and Andrew chipped in with a brace.

Next game Blues stayed on to take on the Whites. It was an open 10 minutes with the Blancos edging it 2-1 thanks to good finishes from Colin and Paul R. Blues replying through an equally good take by Neville.

Game 3 to finish the first round. Red v White both going in with a win under their belt. End to end stuff. Charles breaking the deadlock with a tidy finish. A couple of minutes remaining and Stuart tries a speculative effort from the halfway line. Nick, in goal, walks casually toward the oncoming grass-cutter and ushers it into the corner of the net?!
1-1 first draw of the night.

Round Robin 2.
Return of Blues v Reds
A much tighter match this time with Andrew scoring the only goal to keep the Reds unbeaten. Blues cause not helped by John limping off with a ‘hammie’
Back on came the Whites facing the Blues in return fixture.
The Whites took advantage of the tiring and injury affected opponents to run riot.
A cracking hat-trick from Charles and one apiece for Colin & Paul R. 5-0

So the stage was set for the final showpiece
2 unbeaten teams scrapping it out for the spot of top-dog.
When midfields and defences were breached both goal keepers were inspired again. Nick making amends for his earlier aberration with a couple of world class saves.
No quarter given and the first 0-0 in history!

This was an interesting venture into new format territory. As everyone knows we have had our share of 14 all’s but these shorter games are played with more inhibition. You go 1 or 2 down there’s not a lot of time left to get it back. Definitely great experience going into league and cup games against rival teams.

Retiring to the bar for post-mortems, beer and a general feeling that the future of WFS Benahavis is something we should all look forward to.

Interesting fact from ‘Stato Sweeney’…. he has scored 39 goals in 11 weeks, touching the ball 476 times and only giving it away 419 times!

MoM: Charles. Showing versatility playing up front and scoring 4

Addendum from Statto Sweeney

1. It was James who scored the only goal not me in blues v reds round robin 2.
2. Charles s MOM well deserved. He scored the second fastest hatrick ever recorded since the establishment of Benahavis WFS