Benahavis 8th June

Match report by Rob Fitzgerald

WFS Benahavis 8 June

Last night saw a record turnout of 19 players for our regular Tuesday night goalfest in Benahavis. Word has obviously spread, as we welcomed 4 new players in Paul Rossiter, Brian Motherway, Chris Warren & Ciaran to the ranks. Great to have you with us boys 👍🍺⚽️

We also welcomed back Martyn Lynam after a long lay off through injury which included a lengthy spell of R&R back home in England.

good to see you again mate and well played 👏

Such is the popularity of this form of the beautiful game, it is rumoured that Chairman Tony is in negotiations with Sky for the TV rights to replace the shite we regularly see on TV these days…🙄 I mean did you see those last two England friendlies…🤔🙄 If it’s goals, excitement and passion you want to see come on down to Benahavis!.

Onto the match. Blues v Whites in an 8 aside game with rolling subs for each team. The first quarter was a cagey affair as both teams probed and passed trying to gain the advantage. The breakthrough came when Bill The Hotspur slotted one home with his trusty left peg for the Whites only for Duncan to reply with what was unanimously agreed as the goal of the game with an exquisitely placed curling right foot shot from outside the area into the top corner which not even Gordon Banks would have saved. So, 1-1 at the first drinks break.

With both teams settled into a rhythm of passing and moving, the ascendancy swung towards the Blues as new boy Paul Rossiter put away two goals on his debut to establish a 3-1 lead . This boy clearly has talent and is one to watch for the future…a product of the Benahavis Academy! 🤣 Rob Fitz replied just before referee Bob Humphries (who incidentally was doing a great job controlling the game) blew for the end of 2nd quarter. Whites 2 – 3 Blues

The 3rd quarter descended into a defensive shambles for the Blues , aided by some typical Geordie defending from Colin McGreary 🙄🤣 and Bill took full advantage to score 3 in a blinding 5 minute spell….at times he reminded me of Jimmy Greaves the way he clinically dispatched the ball into the net, one of which was a great left foot volley to leave Doug in goal with no chance. Greg and an OG meant Whites had scored 5 goals in 12 minutes without reply. So, at the break Whites 7 – 3 Blues

In the 4th quarter, Blues came back strongly and forced numerous saves from Ciaran but there was nothing he could do the stop a brace from John Barclay and a 2nd on the night from Duncan. However, Whites refused to lay down and ace poacher Bill was on hand again to knock in a double to make him a double hatrick hero and rightfully claim Popeye’s vote as Man of the Match 👏🏆

So an 11-6 lead at the end of the 4th quarter to Whites. In the final quarter, the goals were shared 3 apiece as Blues continued to press forward and arguably had the better of the game at this point driven on by Gary & Tony at the back, energetic bursts of pace and skill from Neville, Duncan & Colin, the mere prescence of John Barclay…😬 Brian, one of those making his debut was a revelation on the wing and was very unlucky not to score on several occasions but was thwarted by his fellow countryman from Ireland and good defending by the Whites. Nevertheless, with goals from John B, sealing his treble, and Neville brought them closer to the Whites but it wasn’t enough.

White’s determination saw them through comfortably in the end with a rare goal from PJ, a typical Greg blaster and a smart finish from Andrew after some clever footwork meant the final score was 14-9 to the Whites.

Well played everyone, the craic at the bar post match was brilliant and the consensus appeared to be that everyone enjoyed it.

Sadly, we discovered today that one of our members Colin Codge died of cancer last night/early hours. Colin was a big Villa fan and loved to talk about the old days. We will miss you big guy….RIP Colin