Match 1 report by Rory

The slow game started off as 9 blacks against 8 reds, although the sides were soon evened up when Gary parachuted in to level it up for the reds. However, by then the reds were already one down thanks to some skilful goal poaching by Paolo.

The hobbling front man rarely misses the target when in front of goal and he didn’t disappoint this time, picking his spot and slotting the ball past Graham in goal for the reds. Blacks 1-0 Reds.

Lidia and Mercedes were combining well in the blacks’ midfield to ensure that Ton remained undisturbed in goal.

Meanwhile Fred gave more than a passing impersonation of William Saliba at the back, cutting off the supply to goalscoring wizard Ken and motivational speaker and part-time winger Bambi.

When the dependable centre half stepped into goal his defensive qualities were sorely missed at the heart of the reds’ defence. Another incisive move forward by the blacks picked out Paolo on the edge of the box with his back to goal. The diminutive striker improvised brilliantly and back healed the ball past the stunned Fred whose only move was to pull the ball out of the back of the net. Blacks 2-0 Reds

While Sean and Paolo proceeded to randomly kick each other and fall over with dramatic effect, Alan continued to use his footballing skills to try and forge an opening for the reds. Sure enough, following some good work from Welsh Steve the ball fell kindly for flyboy Gary who smashed the ball past Ton. Blacks 2-1 Reds

Minutes later Gary thought he had equalised for the reds as he brilliantly volleyed the ball past Ton. Unfortunately, the ref spotted a stray toenail was poking through Gary’s right boot, placing the striker just inside to box and negating his goalscoring efforts. To make matters worse for the reds, the blacks trotted down to the other end of the pitch and scored again to open a two-goal lead. Ian picked up the ball about 20 metres out, took one step forward and then fired a superb dipping shot past Fred. And while the Arsenal stopper got a hand to the ball, he couldn’t stop it from nestling in the bottom corner of the goal.

Blacks 3-1 Reds

As the game wore on, the reds started to dominate possession thanks to some tough tackling from Sean and some great passing from Alan. A combination reminiscent of the great Bremner and Giles. The reds struggled to breakdown the blacks’ defensive lines with the two Steves defending solidly. When the reds did break through, they couldn’t get the ball past the superb Ton who pulled off a series of amazing saves to keep the blacks in front.

The pressure did finally pay off for the reds when Sean took some time off from kicking the opposition and pirouetted brilliantly to smack the ball past the previously unbeatable Ton, into the bottom corner.

Unfortunately, Sean never actually saw the ball go into the goal as he was melodramatically falling to the floor when it crossed the line.

Blacks 3-2 Reds

This set up an exciting last five minutes with the reds pressing hard for an equaliser and the blacks hoping to strike on the break. Ton was in fine form and managed to stop a number of goal-bound shots with his Mr Gadget leg extensions.

While on the balance of play, the reds deserved a draw, it wasn’t to be despite their frantic attempts to score.

Final Score Blacks 3-2 Reds

 

Match 2 report by Fez

Game 2 was littered with goals and fabulous football… as the year draws to a close it’s fair to say that those playing week in week out have set the bar high.. some have drunk it dry also 😳🍻

20 goals in a festive feast, sportsmanship was also high with players owning up to final touches or in Micks case 6 or 7 as the kids say…🤣

So how did the scoring go… John back after an absence set the ball rolling for the reds exchanging passes with Dave 🚖 and Dave 🐝 and smashing the ball home..

1-0

The blacks found their feet and with some great one touch passes from the back worked the ball forward and Mick was on hand to draw the teams level…

1-1

The Balcks went into the lead when Fez slotted a chance home at the back post passed Eddie..

2-1

Han then hit a brace in quick succession…

4-1 Blacks

John pulled one back for the Reds..

4-2.

The Blacks then went on the rampage…. Han completed his hatrick.. followed by Mick, then Fez got a brace and completing his hatrick, with the Balcks racing into the lead…

9-2..

Hurting the Reds stepped up their game playing some great football, Eddie, Jonny, Kevo feeding Dave 🐝 & Dave 🚖 in turn John who was leading the line..

Goals followed John completing his hatrick, both Dave’s notching and the score was reduced…

9-5..

The blacks found their goal scoring spark and the 3 on a hatrick Han, Mick and Fez added a goal a piece…all now scoring 4..

12-5 ! Surely the Reds would surrender and see the game out… No they passed and moved Kevo added a goal followed by Dave 🚖 finishing with a brace and adding to the hatricks scored, carrying on his recent rich vein of goal scoring form..

There was some quality finishing leaving both Eddie and Keef little or no chance of saving any of them… they did however make a plethora of saves keeping the goals to a mere 20…

Jonny making his return played well at the back for the Reds, Kevo was is usual calm and collected self pick up balls and shifting it left, right and forward, then getting back and defending.. Dave 🐝 several games in to his return put in a shift creating chances and scoring..

John and Dave 🚖 both hitting hatricks could have easily added to the tally had it not been for Keef’s arms and legs getting in the way or coming to the halfway line and getting in a last ditch touch on the ball..

For the Blacks with Keef in goal, the back line was expertly marshalled by the dependable pairing of Tommy and Prak who both put in a fine performance… Han with legs everywhere defending and scoring from the midfield, leaving Mick on his return to the Poli to break forward and link up with Fez..

Dave 🦊 was referee and he did a sterling job in John absence, helped by some top level sportsmanship on both teams.

The only winner today was Football..

⭐⭐⭐ Dave 🚖
⭐⭐ Prak
⭐ The other 10 players who played in the ‘Spirit of the game’

Two games left in 2025, Monday 15th and next Thursday 18th after which there will be drinks, tapas at grade8 bar followed by drinks in Benalmadena Pueblo all welcome to join in a little Christmas 🎅🏻 celebration!

Bonus Photos from Mick