What a start to a match that promised to be close run affair. It was a warm welcome back to Diego and Jim King, returning for the first time in about 6 months.
Within the first minute the Blacks had hit the bar (with the ball spinning up onto the air and falling into goalie Nick’s arms as he turned around to see where the ball had gone), gone one goal up, courtesy of a fine strike by Diego and rattled Nick’s post.
Within the same sixty seconds Colin the Manc was called upon to make the first of many fine saves. Jim King, who had wintered in Norway, making his first appearance since the Autumn had clearly not thawed out.
We were not given the pleasure of witnessing his customary flashing elbows. We look forward to Jim resuming that part of his football repertoire in the coming weeks.
Although the football on display could be deemed of an end to end variety, whilst the Blacks were prolific, the Reds, with four of our over 70’s pool on show, were confined to near things including a superb shot that hit the post. At this point I must admit to a Chris Kamara moment.
Nick, whose goalscoring exploits have dried up presently, was having problems with Fred, who on two memorable occasions outmuscled his rotund opponent a la Peter Storey.
After last weeks mixed performance in goal, Tony B again put up a creditable showing between the sticks but, tasked with taking a penalty at the other end, he contrived to bring double save from Colin.
In the end, the Blacks ran out easy winners, despite Bonieks reluctance to shoot with his left foot. Clearly not a true ” left footer”.
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