Benahavis 7th September

 by your chief Football reporter Rob Fitzgerald

The teams lined up as below :-

Blues:                                         Whites:
Danilo.                                       Alex
Tony C.                                       PJ
Steve.                                          Chris
James.                                        Tony A
Paul R.                                       Rob
Adrian.                                      Duncan
Bill.                                            Charles
Andrew.                                    Paul M
Mick.                                         Michael

Yet another balmy beautiful evening in the stunning setting of Benahavis. (If the pitch was in good nick surely this is the perfect place to play football)?

And the match that followed showed what the Beautiful Game is all about (and that includes moments of ugliness)!

8 v 8 with a rolling sub for each team and, although not the usual goal fest, it was a fascinating and at times scintillating encounter.

Three debutants all put in solid performances. For the Blues Danilo looks a tidy keeper and Mick a very decent fullback until his injury in the second quarter. Michael for the Whites another good signing.

Q1: Tight and tasty from the ko with Los Azules taking the initiative with a Paul Rossi special and a long range toe punt from Tony C which was guided skilfully into his own net by PJ via his undercarriage.

Q2: Los Blancos fought back hard to stay in touch finally chalking up a score thanks to a neat finish from Charles.
2 – 1 to the Blues.

Q3: Los Azules took the game by the scruff of the neck with Paul R scoring his second and Andrew, passing a late fitness test, notching his customary goal. Los Blancos hanging on for dear life given a pen for encroachment. Rob steps up, gives Danilo the eyes (unfortunately I thought that meant shutting them)..Saved!
Down the other end pen to the Blues. Andrew comes out in sympathy, saved by Alex. So 4 -1 going into 4th quarter.

Q4: the Whites found a second wind from somewhere and pulled one back. Rob making amends with a low strike in the corner.
The game was opening up with some tired legs but still plenty of excellent football.
Rob Humphreys, the highly respected man in the middle, blew the whistle for time.
After some discussion the famous 5th Quarter was reignited.
Whites now back to
4 – 2 and smelling blood. Blues very honourably giving their opposition a 12 minute chance to complete the comeback.

Q5: Although Rob F managed to beat Danilo for his second of the night Los Azules held firm. And with every ball and decision being heavily contested the referee was relieved to bring proceedings to an end.

Blues 4. V. 3 Whites

Note to self: penalty practice without delay.

Another really good game enjoyed by all (I hope)?
Beers banter and general bollox after in Amanda’s bar.

Recruiting for our Mojacar trip and for our second weekly sesh.

Please come along Saturday mornings and reply via TeamReach.

You’re never to old to improve and get fitter.

MoM: Alex ‘Eliot’ Ness – Back to his best 🏆