Benalmadena 29th May

Match Report by Geoff

REDS ….2 v BLACKS ….2

On a beautiful Monday morning there was just one 10 aside match plus Breck playing half a game for each side to balance things up.

A warm welcome was given to  our popular Hungarian friend Johnny, aka Puskas, making a return after several months away.

The match was officiated by the so called ace referee John aka Fireman Sam who doesn’t stand any nonsense from players even when making the occasional error.

A terrific angled shot by Breck gave the Reds an early lead, putting the ball wide of Kevo in goal and giving him no chance of saving. 1-0 to the Reds at the first much needed water break.

At start of 2nd session, Rick for the Blacks, blasted a great shot  narrowly going wide of a much relieved Dazza in the Reds goal.

Then Breck tried his luck again  from distance with Rick in the Blacks goal making a fine save.

This was followed on the 30 minute mark by Nigel for the Blacks stepping into his own goal area by a good yard with he Reds screaming for a penalty, unbelievingly not seen by Fireman Sam who refused to refer it to VAR with Nigel also indignantly saying he hadn’t and showing no remorse whatsoever within the spirit of the game.

After the second water break following an indirect free kick having to be retaken, Nigel equalised for the Blacks easily slotting a deflected  shot past Dave the Bus.

1-1 and all to play for in  what was turning out to be an excellent game of 3 touch walking football.

On the 50 minute mark Han scored a disputed goal to give the Reds the lead with another deflected shot which Fireman Sam allowed after some deliberation.

2-1 to the Reds.

New boy Dave S, in his baggy and below the knees grey pyjama shorts, looking like he had just stepped out of bed before turning up at the Polideportivo was constantly testing the patience of the referee for running, giving away numerous free kicks in the process, oblivious to the format of football he was supposed to be playing.

Stanley Matthews look-alike he definitely wasn’t!

On the 55 minute mark Breck, by now playing in a Black bib and in goal, made a fine save off old stager and goal scrounger supreme Ken.

On the hour Rory who by his standards, was having a quiet game, hit a speculative shot which hit  both posts before dropping into the Reds net making the score level at 2-2.

Both teams in the last few minutes went out for the winner, during which Audrey fouled Nigel when he looked certain to score the winner for the Blacks only to hit the ground with an almighty thud before Walter in going for the ball then accidentally kicked him in the face. So much for this supposed to be a no contact sport.

The new local rule of giving a penalty if someone is fouled when having a goal scoring opportunity, was not given much to the disgust of the Blacks.

In the bar afterwards, Keef who was a KEY supporter of this rule, not for the first time over the weekend period, admitted he had made a mistake and should have said something.

Perhaps this was no coincidence in view of the fact he was playing for the Reds.

Finally, in the last few seconds, Tim made an innocuous tackle on Puskas only to be penalised and subsequently abused by the referee for being a Leeds Utd fan saying they deserved to be relegated.

In the bar afterwards all was forgotten and everyone bid our oldest member Walter at 81 years of age their best wishes before again setting off on his African travels detouring via Wales.