Benalmadena 4th October

‘A’ Game Match Report by The Commander

On a warm but exceptionally windy Monday morning due to numbers it was decided to play two six a side matches at the Polideportivo under Dutch football rules with smaller goals.

There was some some initial confusion on both teams when the self appointed referee, Keef, didn’t seem to understand the rules of this format, especially when initially implying both teams would play a ‘rush’ goalie when this was not the case!

For the record other than that oversight he did for once have one of his better games as referee.

The ‘A’ match as the score suggests was evenly contested with the Oranges just about deserving their victory.

Well led by Stephen with his ‘silky’ ball distribution skills and Jim an early substitute for new boy David ‘D’ who unfortunately pulled up with a possible achilles injury, these two both dominated the middle of the pitch.

The Oranges took an early lead with a well taken goal from Graham following a flowing passing movement  which was quickly cancelled out with a typical opportunist goal from Joe making a welcome return after illness.

Even more so for the Lemons after an absence of nearly 2 years was the return of Paddy after his hip replacement operation and subsequent COVID  enforced travel restrictions. It was good to see that the popular Irishman’s left ‘peg’ had not lost any of its deft touches after his long lay off.

The Oranges were awarded a controversial penalty for encroachment by a Lemon’s player into the goal area, under Dutch rules this has to be taken from the halfway line with no goalie, fortunately newcomer Scottish Dave blasted it well wide of the small goal.

Gregg a solid performer for the Oranges put them back in front before Welsh John scored from distance with the best goal of the match to level the scores.

Both teams struggled controlling the ball due to the exceptionally strong wind before a goal mouth scramble allowed the Oranges to get the winning goal, this despite Keef doing his best by playing some 5 minutes of extra time in an effort to allow his team the Lemons to equalise. For the Lemons Robert made a welcome albeit tentative return following his hopeful recovery from a serious eye problem.

In the bar afterwards Kevo and James both out injured, turned up to join everyone in the normal banter and insults with a guest appearance from Wrighty looking like Sean Connery and auditioning for the next 007 role.

With Apologies to H for the half and half report!

‘B’ Game Match Report by Steve C

A cool, breezy Monday at the Poli for the 24 players that turned up for play.

After some messages from our sponsor and the commemorative group photo the two games kicked off.

Today’s goalmouth rule took both sets of players a bit of time to get used to.

In addition, the strong wind caused some ball control issues. Darren was the first to fall foul of today’s rules conceding a penalty which was dispatched with supreme confidence by Carlos for the lemons.

Pete then added a second just before Darren redeemed himself with a cracking strike into the little goal.

The lemons went further ahead just before our referee, Jim was called into action in the A-game.

With the ref gone Darren tried a cheeky shot from his own half which looped up and amazingly bounced into the net.After some discussion the goal was allowed to stand mainly for the audacity of Dazzas shot.

With the game now finely balanced Eddie had to withdraw through injury.

To re-balance the sides John took over as referee but this role was short lived as Martyn now retired injured.

With John back running the show in defence the lemons piled on the goals through Carlos and Pete.

Desperation now set in for the oranges and Dazza in particular who tried to replicate his earlier trick shot on numerous occasion.

However, your humble reporter here seemed to get in the way of most of these shots, the rest ended up at the perimeter fence!

To shore up their defence the oranges enlisted a passer by (Terry) to block their goal. This seemed to work and the lemons ran out 10-2 winners.

Handshakes all round and then up to the bar.