Benalmadena 20th January

Match report by Rory

Total Football……Reds 5-4 Blacks

Gooday sports fans. What a game at the Polideportivo with the quality of football reaching heights that superlatives can no longer describe. As usual, Keef had picked a couple of evenly matched teams, each with different strengths and vulnerabilities. The club welcomed two new victims (Ed: don’t you mean members?) into the fold. A warm welcome to Pat and Dave, who were to have an influential impact on the game.

Special shout out to Steve Loasby for bringing a calm authority to the refereeing and allowed the game to flow. The blacks were feeling confident with their 3-2-3-2-1 formation, packing the middle of the pitch and hoping that Steve the Chef had put his boots on the right feet. The reds rolled out a more traditional 4-4-3 formation, surprisingly starting with Kevo in goal, knowing that he would pull off at least the bare minimum two spectacular saves.

The blacks started off strongly, with big Al weaving his magic in midfield and Bambi unleashing his Harry Potter book of wizardry down the right flank. The blacks had a solid base, with Rory wandering aimlessly in midfield and Stuart and Alan providing a brick wall of defence at the back. Newcomer Pat providing some tricky wing play down the left. Dazza had a free role, enabling him to scythe through the opposition defence at will.

For the reds, Breck was in full “Blustering Centre Forward” mode circa 1969, and this was to prove very effective as the game progressed. He was well supported by Keef (stop running!) channelling Ian Holloway at his best and providing a good outlet for the reds down the right. The Commander was on top form and the focal point for many of the reds’ best attacks in the first half. Like a magnet, the ball would fall to his trusty right foot and he would invariably lay it off into the path of an advancing red attacker.

The blacks got the better of the early skirmishes and had the reds penned back in their half. Dazza and Bambi were combining brilliantly down the right flank and big Al was always a threat in the middle… don’t give that man sight of the goal! However, the resilient reds’ defence rebuffed the advances and against the run of play found themselves in front. Big Mick, who up until that point had had a blinder between the posts, suddenly had a rush of blood to the head and haplessly rolled the ball out to the predatory Breck who took no time to masterfully control the ball and slot it past big Mick in the blacks’ goal.

Despite this aberration the blacks felt confident going forward. Stuart and Alan provided a solid defensive shield at the back with some great interceptions and cool distribution which released the blacks’ midfield. The reds were always a threat with “goal hanger” Mick always providing a threat reminiscent of the great Denis Law. Newcomer Dave had to this point, had a quietly confident impact on the game showing good touch and an ability to pick out a teammate at will. It wasn’t long before he stepped into the limelight, and having ghosted into a forward position found himself free in front of goal with the ball at his feet….would he freeze on his debut? Not a chance. As cool as the proverbial cucumber, Dave drove the ball past Steve’s despairing dive in the reds’ goal. 2-0, the blacks looked out of it. They didn’t count on big Mick being released from his goalkeeping duties and being given a free roaming role, feeding of the Chef.

Sure enough, the big guy was going to be given his chance, with the Commander between the sticks. Mick didn’t hesitate and drilled a toe punt with more bends than Victoria Plumb, past the bewildered Commander. Game on! With the scent of blood, the blacks pressed forward with Dazza effortlessly spraying the ball around to his eager teammates. Some nice link up play through big Al found (even bigger) Mick in space in front of goal. Well, what a finish under pressure into the bottom corner. Reds 2-2 Blacks. This is as good as it gets. The blacks were depleted by the loss of Stuart with calf knack, and his solid defensive play was sadly missed. Welsh Steve as ever stood out for his holding midfield play and energetic tackling. Scottish Steve was becoming increasingly influential with his languid style and accurate passing out from the defence. This was providing a solid platform for the reds to build a match winning assault on the blacks. With Kevo out of goal the reds had extra mobility in midfield which was producing a greater threat to the blacks’ goal. Sure enough there was a short period of play where the reds’ overwhelmed the blacks’ defence. Keef (released from the burden of reffing) was buzzing through the midfield (stop running!). Brian, who had been solid at the back and could truly welly the ball was proving a useful outlet for the reds. It was only a matter of time before the blacks’ defence was split, and their worst nightmare the mercurial Scottish Mick in front of goal surely it was game over man. It’s in his DNA, and he slotted it into the goal. 3-2 reds.

Then came surely the goal of the season from Breck. Following some messy play in the middle of the pitch the ball fell to Breck’s trusty right foot, but surely he couldn’t score from there. With the confidence of a striker on form he took a swing, and from miles out, the ball sailed over Alan’s despairing dive into the roof of the net. What a goal! To rub salt into the wounds, the reds went 5-2 with another neat finish from the twinkle toed Scottish Mick. The score wasn’t a fair reflection of the game but the reds’ superior striking prowess was proving too good for the blacks.

But the game wasn’t over. The blacks knew they deserved better. Steve up front continued to pull the reds’ back four out of position and creating space for his teammates. Sure enough, following a neat interchange of passes, big Al was released in the inside right position. Well, what can I say, one touch and he drilled it into the top corner. Was there a way back for the blacks?

The reds had some cool heads with Kevo and Keef staying calm under pressure and always playing ball to feet out of defence. Pat was providing some pressure down the left for the blacks, and the reds were being stretched as the game entered the final minutes. Finally, Dazza who had had a superlative game on the right slotted a suicide ball through to Rory (thanks Dazza). Fortunately, Rory was able to remember his secondary school (pre-Fosbury Flop) high jump lessons and avoided Scottish Steve’s scything tackle to place the ball into the corner of the goal past Mick’s despairing dive (I would have got it if I was 40 years younger…). Unfortunately for the blues it was too late, and they couldn’t beat the final whistle.

What a game, played in a great spirit with the best team (just) deservedly winning. Well played lads!