Benalmadena 24th November

Match Report by Geoff

REDS……3 versus BLACKS……2

Yet again it was another fine and hot sunny autumnal day at the Polideportivo on the last Thursday in November before the beginning of December and the longer dark winter nights.

In the absence of our ace reporter and wordsmith Rory who is presently in the UK signing a new book deal, yours truly will do his best to put something together to provide a match report of sorts, there being no other volunteers willing to do so.

In what should have been a 10 aside match the Blacks only had 9 players when not for the first time there was a no-show by one certain player who to save him embarrassment will remain nameless. However, this outcome was easily resolved by Breck deciding to  change colours and play for the Blacks, this in addition to  him refereeing.

Such a decision undoubtedly made up for the Blacks being a player short as his decision making most definitely levelled things up to such an extent he made Keef’s previous exploits look somewhat saintly!

The Reds took an early lead through our oldest player and octogenarian Walter Nogler playing his last game for some 6 months before departing to West Wales to see his wife for a few days and then off to sunnier climes in West Africa and then Cape Verde. What a fantastic arrangement!

The Nog is teetotal, most unusual at the Poli, eccentric to say the least and an extraordinary human being not least because every match day he walks from Torremolinos to the Polideportivo and then back again after breakfast in the Pueblo, no mean feat for a man of his age.  As you will see from his playing attire (see photo left) it is also his HV walking kit from his days as a school a lollipop man before being made redundant!

Back to the game, Breck equalised for the Blacks just before the end of the first session following a loose back pass from Audrey which the former pounced on and took great delight in blasting it past H in the Reds goal.

The second session started with the Nog scoring a second opportunist goal to put the Reds back in front and ended with John H, the mesero from the Lilac Tree equalising for the Blacks with a fine shot past Dazza who had put on the gloves for the Reds.

2-2 apiece at the end of the second session.

After the statutory water break the last session was fiercely contested by both teams before an excellent through pass from Dazza put Han intospace to score for the Reds putting them back in front and then having to frantically hang on to this narrow lead before Breck reluctantly blew the final whistle to end a pulsating match.

It was good to see Stevie, aka the Milky Bar Kid, back after a 2 week break in sunny Scotland trying to get a suntan, as always he was a threat for the Blacks with the ball at his feet when near the goal.

John H stood out for the Blacks not least as it would appear he was auditioning for the next Forrest Gump sequel as he never stopped running, which not surprisingly went unpunished by the referee the whole match. Pity he doesn’t serve drinks as quick at the Lilac Tree!

On the balcony bar afterwards Breck much to H’s surprise stopped him collecting the drinks whip only to then buy numerous jugs of beer for everyone to celebrate his birthday the previous day.

Not surprisingly all was forgiven, what a great referee.

Then Maria behind the bar put on the jukebox for everyone to sing an impromptu rendition of feliz cumpleanos to Breck to end a somewhat perfect day.

Keef, please note you are seventy in January and we all await with baited breath!