[vc_colun_text]Time until the next game at Benalmadena Polideportivo[/vc_column_text]

Match Report by Geoff

REDS…..1 v BLACKS…..0

In many ways this match is best forgotten, not least because of the constant whingeing of some players on both sides, who for whatever reason most definitely didn’t play within the spirit of the game.

Indeed some of the players constantly challenged the referee on nearly every decision be it correct or the wrong which undoubtedly spoilt the game.

For this reason the Match report will, indeed, be brief.

The aforementioned whingeing is even more surprising as before the first water break both teams played some really excellent 3 touch football.

At the beginning of the second quarter Fish unfortunately, whilst trying to pass the ball back to the Blacks goalie, inadvertently put it into his own net.

1-0 to the Reds.

For whatever reason, the game became more fractious with players from both sides constantly bemoaning decisions in particular any relating to whether it was an high ball or not.

There was no further score for the remainder of the match with the Reds winning 1-0 as a result of Fish’s own goal, which was unfortunate, as he had a solid game in defence and as always played in a fair and sporting manner.

For the Reds Terry aka El Tel was superb with his constant probing passes in midfield as was birthday boy Alan O on the right wing for the Blacks.

The spirit in which the latter half of the match was played is perhaps best summed up by the poor turnout afterwards on the balcony for refreshments or was it because unlike Monday, the drinks were not free when a massive bar bill was incurred, due in no small part to the generosity of birthday boy Alan O matched by not having a whip and paying the difference out of the subs.

For the few that did attend, there was some constructive discussion on the definition of what a high ball was considered to be.

As a result of our resident referee John’s excellent input on the group What’sApp last week, quoting Walking Football Rules, that the crossbar of the slightly smaller goal is the measure for a high ball such a rule was applied for this match.

It is obvious many hadn’t read it or chose to ignore it hence all the constant bickering.

On a lighter note regarding the aforementioned, H had to apologise immediately to Audrey during the match for his remark when telling several of the players to stop squabbling like fishwives.

To her credit she came over to H after the match finished and saw the funny side saying that strangely enough she was one of a few who didn’t dispute any of the decisions. What a star!

Keef had some understandable concerns about this rule especially as many of our members play in spectacles and suggested a local rule of shoulder height be the maximum. My only concern here is the differing height of players. Keef pointed out that the ball wherever possible should be played on the ground or as near to it as possible.

Whilst this debate was going on Breck was on the Internet and found another rule stating a 6ft maximum height.

This then brings into question another conundrum that as at present, should the ball go higher than any of the aforementioned distances and then drop into the net, a goal is given.

This matter hopefully be resolved before our next game.

In conclusion, having been a member of WFS for more than 5 years, and loving almost every minute of it, such trivial behaviour has made me seriously think that, whether at nearly 77 years of age, I still want to be involved in whatever capacity.

Let’s get back to the friendly banter that has always been and put these events to bed.