Benalmadena 25th May

Match Report by Geoff

REDS ….4 versus BLACKS ….1

A nine aside match allowed the old farts to mix with the big boys at the Polideportivo last Thursday showing that age is just a number with some outstanding performances none more so than from Walter (81) and Ken (79).

With no last minute drop outs Breck refereed what on paper looked like two evenly matched teams and  so it proved for the first 40 minutes in which the only score was a great shot from old stager Ken blasting it past Rick in the Blacks goal after 5 minutes.

This was no mean achievement bearing in mind that Rick, not in flip flops on this occasion, was dressed in bright tangerine shorts and trainers in the Blacks goal making it somewhat off putting for any would be attackers.

A few minutes later Dazza in the Reds goal made an outstanding save from Nigel denying the Blacks an equaliser.

Monday at the Polideportivo was a much quieter place with no echoing noises of someone yelling unnecessary instructions to team mates!

Indeed the aforementioned comment was justified by way of some excellent 3 touch walking football by both teams in the opening 40 minutes thereby making Breck’s job as referee much easier in allowing the game to flow.

Walter in particular belied his 81 years of age making some excellent tackles and ball distribution to his teammates during this period.

Han took over the gloves after the first water break for the Reds and made several excellent saves when the Blacks failed to take advantage of some good goal scoring opportunities.

Then Ken thought he had scored his second goal when he had clearly handled the ball before blasting it into the Blacks net, only for it to be correctly disallowed much to his annoyance.

After the second water break Keef went in goal for the Reds and was well beaten by a screamer from Simon which fortunately for him shaved the top of the crossbar.

Not deterred by this miss Simon hit another screamer which Keef brilliantly saved but unfortunately the ball rebounded straight back to him to easily place into the Reds net for the equaliser. 1-1 after 45 minutes.

Shortly afterwards Ken was again unbelievingly left unmarked to score his second goal hammering his shot past Klaus in goal with the former thinking Xmas had come early. 2-1 to Reds.

In the closing 10 minutes of the match Han for the Reds went close with a terrific shot with Fish in goal well beaten only to then score a few minutes later with a weaker shot from distance which Fish somehow allowed to go through his hands into the back of the net.

3-1 to the Reds

The Blacks responded in fine style going close on several occasions in the closing minutes the best of which was an effort by Simon from distance well saved by Dave ‘Bus’ in the Reds goal.

Highlight of the game undoubtedly came in the final seconds when following a mishit shot by Sergei  the loose ball was chased by Dazza only for him to fall flat on his arse making an air shot in the process.

Not surprisingly Dazza’s antics completely baffled Fish in the Blacks goal only for him to see the ball roll slowly into the back of his net.

On this highlight with everyone in fits of laughter Breck decided he had seen enough and blew the whistle.

There was a strong case from Fish that the goal should have been disallowed for Dazza running and himself having to take evasive action so as not to be flattened by Dazza.

The game was played in an excellent and sporting spirit well refereed by Breck and in all honesty the late two goals for the Reds did not give a fair reflection in what had been a pretty even match. .

Man of the Match undoubtedly octogenarian Walter and for the Blacks Nigel and Simon were threatening when ever in sight of goal