From our guest reporter, Dave the Owl
Game 1 kicked off in glorious Spanish weather , with a well balanced 6 v 6.
Our new octogenarian , Commander Geoff , took the early spotlight with some excellent saves to keep the scores level. The reds had Fez marauding up front and it seemed only a matter of time before they took the lead. Carrying a so-called injury and dropping to the “slow game” , wrapped in bandages head to toe – not to mention a set of crutches , Middlesboro’s answer to Johnny Hickton , Fez finally buried one beyond Commander Sprake to give the reds an early lead.
The blacks hit back with Joe and Dave 🦉 playing some nice inter-passing in midfield , before finally setting up American John to draw things level at 1-1.
Not to be outdone , the reds looked to restore their lead , with Kevo nicely marshaling things at the back , and Ton and Ian running the wings, the blacks were up against it.
Cometh the hour cometh the man , sharp-shooter Ken showed Geoff that age has no bearing on ability ! Ken bagged his first goal with all the skill we’ve come accustomed to seeing at the Poli. As if that wasn’t enough , he soon put the blacks to the sword with yet another – reds 3-1 up.
Following several water-breaks and a few of the usual polite “calls” from Bambi, Ken’s team mates willed him on to get a third and his hatrick . And not to disappoint , Ken obliged with another poachers special 😜.
At 4-1 , the game was looking beyond the blacks. However , two quick strikes from Joe and Dave 🦉 , gave the game a more even look at 4-3.
It probably came as no surprise though , when Ken , who was having probably his best ever game , notched a sublime 4th , to seal a 5-3 win for the reds.
The man of the match award was not just about the four goals Ken scored , but it was as much about his hold-up play and distribution. Today , he was bang on it , and showed everyone how we can all keep playing despite age creeping up on us – well done lads , including the ref Dave🦊 who had very little to do as everyone was on their best behaviour 💕
Colins Corner
It’s amazing how numbers can fluctuate, last week 40, this week 24.
With a small sided 6 aside game, despite the sterling work of Fish and Bambi, its was unanimously agreed by Keith that the pitch was too big, so shortened it!
Reds without a regulation keeper lined up with Colin and Mark G in defence, Keith on the right, Martin on the left, Dave 🚖 central and Alan took first shift in goal
Blacks had Eddie in goal and a midfield/attack of Simon, Johnny, Glyn, Maj and Jim
With a much smaller pitch it didn’t take long for the ball to go from one end to the other and for once Colin, who normally sits in defence and seldom crosses the halfway line, found himself within striking range inside the blacks half and to everyones surprise scored 1-0 reds
Now its only fair to say now that there were a fair few goals and your reporter lost count of how many and by whom.
Moments on note however…..
A penalty was awarded but Alans shot hit the post
Maj in space but as confidently announced by Keith “it’s alright he’s on his wrong foot” slotted the ball past the keeper 😅
Eddie getting back ache and frustrated by his teams lack of defending
Mark G being sin binned for persistent running and/or tackling
Colin scoring a hat trick (I know no-one was more surprised than me)
Alan scoring a hat-trick
Mark, Keith, Dave 🚖 x 2 adding to the tally and this is where your reporter ran out of memory.
As the game ended a 12-1 scoreline was claimed, but todays real winner was Geoff who celebrated 80 years young
Upon entering the field he was treated to a choir singing happy birthday and post match he kindly donated into the drink kitty where he was presented with card and Cava plus flowers for the very patient Rita for putting up with him