40 seconds of video highlights here…Video

Picture slideshow here…Photos

Seans Summary

It was another sunny Spanish morning and a motley crew of walking football enthusiasts assembled on the pitch at Polideportivo Benalmadena on Thursday December4th. The game kicked off or should I say limped to a start overseen by ref Steve. Just back from eye surgery, so one would assume nothing would get passed his eagle eyed, restored vision. One should never assume anything.

The Blacks started the better, moving the ball swiftly to and fro for no logical reason and to no avail. With the big man Graham at the back assisted by Mick, who’s still driving a bus somewhere in Scotland.  Also assisted by Steve I will never tan, another Scot and Peter the chance squander, fish at the back. One would think communication would be an issue but this international crew help the opposition at bay for 3/4 of the game. In the middle for Blacks was Ian the tannest legs to come out of Sweden,  with goal poached extraordinar Paolo and the ever encouraging Bambi who’s positive feed back and encouragement of  team mates lifted their spirts no end.

The Red were lead by David the Owl and his lovely wife Lidia. Who for some reason objected to me pulling on her jersey. The non flying Dutchman Ton in goal, Boris the bucket head and Leed’s number 1 hooliganist Tim at the back. Steve not Tom Jones, ransacking the middle, Geoff why me  and Ken another ace goal poacher up front.

The 1 quarter ended 0-0. It looked very much like the whole proceedings might end in a 0-0 stalemate as the ball went to and fro to nowhere. But in the 2nd period blacks finally put the ball in the net somehow. Was it Paolo or Bambi?  I can’t remember but 1-0 Blacks. The 2 rd quarter barely kicked off when Bambi attempted an unusual off target strike from long range on his own goal. Luckily his shot was slightly high and wide. Later in the 3rd period Bambi again found himself the center of attention. When Dave the Owl sent him sprawling on the turf with a vicious hip cheek which our eagle eyed ref ignored. I believe Bambi may have been knocked to the ground on another occasion. Now I understand the nickname. Anyway in the third period a blasting shot for your truly went into the lower corner like a cruise missile. 2-0 Black.

In the 4 period Reds began to press and with the help of a handball, which our newly restored visioned ref, fail to stop. Got a goal back for the Reds. Shortly after Black struck again with Reds pressing a counter attack released Ian who found Paolo who slotted home for Blacks.

Reds again began to press and had Blacks pinned back and once again Dave the Owl with an assist from the lovely Lidia, ran or trotted onto the ball with his signature hip move rounded the big man  in defense and knocked it passed Mick in the blacks goal. The final 5 mins was a tense affair with Reds pressing for an equalizer and Peter the fish and Bambi squandering as many chances for Blacks as they could muster. But despite Reds efforts Blacks managed to hang on for the win. It all ended 3-2 Black.

Fezs Forts

Game 2 attracted the largest crowd of the season – 2 – Rory and Dave Fox.. they caused mayhem from the stands with their advice, criticism & banter !

The teams were tinkered with a little pre kick off due to injuries… It looked a little lob sided in favour of the Reds IMHO, but like I’ve said in numerous reports what do I know (WTFDYK).. Some would say 🤣

The Reds started the stronger Fez rolled in Prak who dispatched a first time effort passed Eddie.. 1-0.

The game then went through a lull with not a lot happening if you know what I mean.. little effort on goal and then the Reds playing the ball around rolled it across the defence, we all know what happens and yes it did… Dave 🚖 sprinted, sorry walked onto it and smashed it home passed Keith..

1-1

The Blacks now had some confidence and moved the ball around like superstars…. Eddie in goal rolling back the years and passing it left and right, saving any shot with ease, Tommy marshalling the back line like a brick wall, pulling the attackers back with all his knowledge, Pompey Alan back from his Canadian travels put in a great perfoance and even managed to pass the ball to Saint Colin working for 2 with Fez in his back pocket, Han playing as a defensive midfielder picking everything up and moving forward to Dave 🚖 who was finding holes in the Red defence and creating a plethora of scoring chances…

The crowd then made their presence felt with a number of jibes and taunts towards both sets of players ! Confidences in some was shattered, with later counselling and extra beer needed to get over the torment… TG for Grada8 Sport Bar jugs of beer 🍺

The Reds finally resorted the lead… a quick free kick found Prak who smashed the ball home from 20 yards..

2-1 Reds.

It seemed like game over Keef caught a shot tried a quick pass to Fez from inside the goal mouth only hitting Prak and the ball rolling into an empty net ! 2-2 Prak now the owner of a match ball with a hatrick of goals…

The Reds just couldn’t string enough together and when they were gifted opportunities they simply couldn’t take them..

Kevo worked his socks across the pitch… told Fez to pull his up… , Dave 👑 tried getting the ball forward but was wearing his banana boots and everything went well pear shaped, he is in Finland for a few months so he ll have forgot that comment on his return🥴🤞

Dave 🐝 still finding his feet after his around most of the world tour had a golden opportunity to end the misery the Reds had found themselves in with the goal open he slotted it wide… I say he was under a lot of pressure from 3 defenders and did well to get to the ball and shoot..

Prak and Kevo kept the Reds in it at the back putting in last ditch tackles to prevent Dave 🚖 adding to his tally.. Prak could have scored his fourth with a shot on target, but Eddie plucked it out of the air.

Kevo tied his luck, turning inside and out and smashing the ball goal wards, but Eddie was in fine form and wasn’t going to be beaten..

Finally Keef joined in allowing Dave 👑 to go in goal as his banana feet were playing up…. And when put through on goal on 3 occasions could only smash the ball high and wide one almost reaching the port..

The large crowd were awarded with a final peice of skill that sent them home happy and elated, after taking the mick out of Fez for almost 60 minutes the latter finally escaped from Colin’s back pocket and wriggled between two defenders with only Eddie to beat and to win the match, he poked the ball wide…

Que the laughter and finger pointing it was one of those games that was burnt into the memory of those they mocked taking a whole jug of beer to get over it !

Finally a thank you to John who had little to do his ongoing top standard of referring has got players, playing more in the spirit of the game, less running, high balls or disputes of who touched it last. There are still some tactical trips, kicks, pulls and pushes.. the competitive flame still flickers 🔥 in some…

The game finished 2-2 and will be remembered for not a lot other than the attendance of the 2 muppets 🤣🤣

⭐⭐⭐ Colin sparkling performance brighter than Malaga Christmas lights
⭐⭐ Alan fine game on his return to the Poli only out shone by a Saint 😳
⭐ The rest of the Blacks who out played the Reds !

No football Monday as it’s is/was a Spanish bank holiday.. and only a few games left at the Polideportivo before our Christmas break! See you Thursday 11th December for our next game… UTBenalmadena