The ability to cope with change, whatever the cause is what sets individuals or organisations apart from others SHWFC is a robust yet flexible structure with gifted individuals but that strength owes so much to the collective will of the Club and its members
Monday morning’s Ruskin Sports Village get together was another challenge with a sharp wind chill Standing patiently in such conditions isn’t the best preparation’s for WF, but with our customary grace, we morphed from frozen to frenzied in a matter of minutes The pressure to set-up pitches, prepare, warm-up was helped by Andy Man(anger)’s team selection prior to the entry and was inspired As has been the case so often recently the teams were relatively evenly matched A healthy statement of the overall quality of people in this Club
The teams were;
Sky - Tom Derby, Tom Stretch, Lefty Bridge, Joe the Ghost, Margaret and PaulF
Pink - Sheila, Ashy, Citeh Geoff, Little John, Grav and Enoch
Black - Willo, Roger, Julie, Donal, Aldo and Les H
Yellow - Wickie, Haggis, Michelle Monday, Amazon Prime, McSpeed and Les Meldrew
Orange - Phil the Power, debutant Tracy O’Hara, Cockney Rebel, Andy Man, Barry Wizz, Chopper and Kirsty
Purple - Chris Gilmost, Midweek Michelle (enjoying a Monday away day) Liz, Mika, Tom Mc and Robin
The games were competitive, generally tight score lines, filled with moments of top quality and above all FUN And when all is said and done isn’t that the most important aspect
Sky were out-scored but certainly not outplayed by Pink Goals win matches,as the pundits like to remind us The return of Ian ‘Lefty’ Bridge, who claimed a brace for Sky, still wasn’t enough as the Pink fire power of Grav 2, Enoch 2 plus Sheila was far too clinical 6-2 the final score line Referee O’Hooligan impressed with the outstanding sportsmanship on display
Black and Yellow was a much tighter match up under the watchful gaze of Ref Jeff Betty, who clamped down on ‘not walking’ early in the contest McSpeed had a difficult day at the office, with several shots hitting the woodwork When he managed to guide his efforts on target he found Black keepers in terrific form Julie in particular produced some excellent saves The Yellow goal was an unstoppable drive from Dave ‘Amazon’ Prime which nestled in the top of the net Alan ‘Aldo’ Aldridge claimed all three Black goals (and the match ball?) Black triumphant 3-1
Orange trailed Purple after 3 minutes in the game officiated by El Presidente thanks to a well engineered goal finished by Tom Mc Orange almost hit back immediately but Cockney Rebel blazed a half chance just too high Mr Wizz was soon shackled for being too rapid, his enthusiasm too vigorous to be legal Orange enjoyed a spell of possession but debutant Tracy fired just outside the far post Orange were level after Robin strayed into the keeper’s area Tracy firing in the resultant spot kick 1-1 Play continued from end to end with loads of effort but few meaningful shots
The game’s moment of controversy came when the power crazed official awarded a DOGSO penalty and Blue Card (3 minute sin-bin) against the Club’s Football Manager Andy Man The incident came as Robin through on goal was dispatched to the turf by a tackle from behind Denying Opponent Goal Scoring Opportunity said El Presidente though some Orange players disagreed In the end Robin fired his spot kick straight at the keeper and the ball was cleared
Chopper grew in confidence as the game continued, with some fine covering and steady distribution Mrs Midweek was her usual energetic presence Some very good performances on display
Phil the Power found the net to put Orange 2-1 ahead at half time The second half started with Tracy switching sides to give Purple the additional player edge that Orange had enjoyed in the first stanza Phil claimed another goal to push Orange 3-1 ahead Two great shots that had swung the game in Orange’s favour Cockney Rebel was on hand to fire Orange further ahead 4-1 Liz then struck from close in to make it 4-2 Plenty of time for more goals Tracey buried a shot in the far corner and it was 4-3 Orange still ahead but the squeeze definitely now on Barry finally got his reward for efforts to extend the Orange lead 5-3 and still 15 minutes to play As time started to ebb Liz almost repeated her earlier effort with a drive that hit the post Purple pushing Orange to the wire but unable to find a way past Kirsty who played with great poise in defence With less than 5 left on the clock Robin was left with one boot in tact and the other flapping wildly like a Rainford clearance Gilmost had a great opportunity but could only find the outside of the post Purple forced a late corner but couldn’t find a clear shot Time ran (not walking!) with Orange winning a superb contest by 5 - 3
A superb morning’s walking football enjoyed far and wide (sadly wide too often)
The Sutton SoccerDome action was restricted to indoors for Wednesday as there was a distinct lack of members available due to the Distraction Derby early kick off clashing with our own session Those who did venture to Sutton were rewarded with a great off the cuff session, which included cameo appearances by 2 referees and El Presidente’s 14 year old grandson
Three teams of five were assembled at great expense as follows;
Red - Jeff Betty, Tom Stretch, Benny Fitzpatrick, Grav and Lord Rainford
Blue - Gonzalo, Chris 4G, Haggis, Jason and Simon
Yellow - Joe the Ghost, Triallist, Andy Man, El Presidente and Jason
With all the Blogeratti caught up in the action we have only sketchy recollections of the action Each team played each of their opponents twice in the Round Robin No game produced more than a single goal Simon hit Blues only goal of the night Tom Stretch turned and fired a superb effort for Red There was a fine goal by Jeff Betty who spotted the smallest of gaps at the near post to prod the ball past an incredulous El Presidente “thought I’d covered that gap” explained the bewildered veteran Do try and keep up Pops echoed around the Sports Hall
Grav hit the other Red goal feeding off a defence splitting pass from Benny (where does he get it from?)
Yellow played well generally but wouldn’t have scored if we were still playing now
Overall some very good Walking Football on a very fast surface with a ball that was probably too lively
Benny will be helping our sessions for a few weeks as part of a voluntary effort as part of his Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme
A date for your diaries. Friday 13th June SHWFC 10th Anniversary Party Night full details to follow - watch this space
If any member was or is a DJ and would like to help the celebration please let a member of the Executive know
Chop and Change* - The Black Keys American Blues/Rock combo
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