Benalmadena 7th February

Match reports by H and Steve Conway

Match report by Steve

Keith welcomed our Calahonda cousins to Benalmadena today as their facility was being re-surfaced this week. Keith had managed to successfully integrate players from both clubs into two competitive games today.

The A game kicked off with Steve Loasby as referee who successfully managed to curtail excessive running, tackling and high balls throughout the game.

This helped to produce a closely fought match which was only decided in the last five minutes when goals from Olaf and Al sealed victory for the blacks.

Following two early goals, the reds led for most of the match until the blacks drew level at 3-3 at the end of the third quarter. The blacks pulled ahead in the last period of the game but the tenacious reds levelled things up again.

With a couple of minutes left Olaf survived a refs review when he scored from just outside the goal area to make it 5-4.

With literally seconds remaining big Al fired a shot high into the net to make the final score 6-4 to the blacks.

A really good match enjoyed by all the players from both clubs and the final result probably flattered the blacks somewhat.

Many thanks to Steve for refereeing this high energy game.

CHERRIES …1  BLUES …1 Match report by H

Yet another excellent turn out at the Polideportivo  to which Keef gave a warm welcome to our friends from Calahonda. Indeed, as he occasionally does Keef went somewhat over the top when he went on to say that four of the Calahonda over 70’s would play in the premier A game because they were better players than there hosts of a similar age who would be playing in the old farts B game.

This caused much debate in the bar afterwards when it was agreed between Robin and H that hopefully sometime in late April and May the annual challenge would be hopefully renewed on a home and away basis with aggregate scores deciding the winners.

Keef afterwards trying to dig himself out of a big hole and was heard to say that his comments were purely meant to be motivational for the Benalmadena old farts in an endeavour for them to bring back the trophy which Calahonda presently hold.

The B Match ended all square, the Cherries taking the lead after some 25 minutes with a fine chip shot by new boy Jess, hopefully he will be available for the ensuing matches with Robin’s and Scott’s Calahonda team.

After 40 minutes another recent new boy Pete showing lots of promise equalised for the Blues with a well taken goal.

It was pleasing to see Frank on his return have an outstanding game in defence for the Cherries 🍒having nothing left in his tank at the finish, ably supported by Alan. Both teams squandered good opportunities in the closing stages, most notably the Cherries with both Kevo and Mick 🤣 making excellent saves from point blank range when respectfully playing in goal for the Blues.

Despite Keefs pep talk about the game to be played without contact there was times when this was not the case and tempers on occasions  became somewhat frayed.

That said all in all a fair result and an enjoyable match well referred by Ian.