Benalmadena 13th December

Match report by Steve C

Reds : 4 Blacks : 3

Normal service resumed in terms of the weather at the Poli on a warm, sunny Monday morning, providing an opportunity for the old boys to “sweat out” some of their recent excesses.

A good turnout today; 10 a-side and Keith welcomed new player Stuart to WF.

Kick-off followed Kevo’s warm-up and the team photograph. For the record Keith was doubling up as player/ref today.

The old cliché of  a game of two halves characterised today’s contest. In the first half the black outfit were well in control and led 3-0 at half time.

In addition, Breck in goal for the reds had to look smart on a number of occasions to keep the black attack at bay. Big Al opened the scoring for the blacks following a cleverly taken free kick.

At the end of some neat passing interplay Steve scooped in the black’s second and just before the half hour mark Glyn fired in the third, a well placed shot into the corner which gave Breck no chance.

Into the second half and the black defence, which up to then had restricted the red attack to shooting (wildly) from distance, began to wilter.

The reds started to push up the pitch, pressurising their opponents defence which resulted in Kevo grabbing their first goal. Shortly after Bambi was given space on the edge of the box and from a ridiculously tight angle fired in the red’s second.

The reds now looked to draw even and a rasping shot from Keith crashed onto the bar following a finger tip save from the blacks goalie.

With 5 minutes left Rory got the equaliser from a well placed shot and panic now set in for the men in black as they sensed that defeat was a possibility.

Kevo confirmed their worst fears by curling one past the black keeper to put the reds in front.

The ref played 10 minutes of overtime to give the blacks every chance to equalise but the game finished on a rather contentious note when quick thinking Terry rolled a free kick to the unmarked Mike who must surely score.

However, Dazza riverdanced in from nowhere to nick the ball off his toe. An incensed Terry and Mike protested to the heavens but another free kick, cleared by the red defence, was the paltry outcome from this injustice.

Full time – victory snatched from the jaws of defeat for the reds.

Post match discussion centred around the Dazza “spirit of the game” incident. However, this was soon forgotten (aye right) as the jugs arrived. As a punishment Dazza will get to play with the elite squad on Wednesday.

As this will be my last report for a few weeks, I’m heading back to UK to find out what real rain looks like, can I take this opportunity to wish everyone Feliz Navidad & Prospero Ano Nuevo. See you on the other side.

From the editor – Thanks Steve for some brilliant and witty reports. Enjoy your time in the UK and have a great christmas and new year yourself!