DR Beat*

DR Congo posed quite a challenge for one lucky SHWFC World Cup sweepstake ticket holder but in cliche land we all know ‘there’s no easy games at this stage Just another 3 months to go With this week’s tongue in cheek award now resting on the Editor’s desk we can dispense with frippery and get on with the week’s action

Those participating in Monday morning’s Ruskin Sports Village session were a very lusty 45 players and 3 officials;

Black - Andy Man, Lefty, Phil the Power, Jan, PaulF, Mike Tomo, Newbie Rita, other Newbie John Hayes &, Enoch.

Red - Aldo, Jenko, Trish, Ashy, Robin, Phil the Cat, Dave Robbo & Speedo Mick.

Blue - Citeh Geoff, Jill, GRAV , Phil Moss, Ian Connor, Beach Boy & Clint Eastwood

Gold - Mike Bates, Big Tony, Colin, Lord Rainford, Sheila, Cockney Rebel & Jim Murphy

Purple - McSpeed, Trialist, Ste Jones, Les H, Haggis, Kerry, Ste Harding

Green - Gonzalo, Wickie, Mark NR, Kirsty, Snakehips, Ricky & John Hill.

Refs...Les Meldrew, Charlie & Jeff Betty

Given the recent issues with the blog/photos, no team photos were taken on the morning If anyone would like to see their photo, a mirror serves as useful alternative Fear not dear reader plans are in hand to restore our website to a more reliable source once we’ve extracted the many hundreds of olde world versions of slides, snaps and daguerreotypes that have created our current log jam

Football Supremo Andy Man and sidekick Phil the Power had previously planned their selections “we put the 2 newbies on our team to ease them in. Both John Hayes and Rita played well, Jan was added to this combo to ensure all three saw plenty of the ball

It was a really good game Red 1 v Black 1 with Aldo scoring for Red and Phil the Power for Black, both fantastic strikes! Great to welcome Speedo Mick back after his health concerns”

Les Lomax seemed to enjoy his morning’s work “great day today, with some good football. I did not record any fouls as there were a few new players, which i must say they accepted all my decision with the spirt that should happen, not one appeal off anybody. Only 1 goal each after a hours play with plenty of chances from each team. Phil the Cat retired early after straining a leg muscle A defensive rebound gave Aldo the chance to slot the ball in for the first goal for Red Black then went all out for the equaliser which came courtesy of Phil the Power another well struck shot to beat the keeper

Pitch A. Charlie

Purple 4 McSpeed 3 plus Ste Jones

Green 9

Gonzalo 6, Wickie, John Hill & Mark

Charlie’s report

“A good competitive game with a few over zealous tackles to deal with finished 9-4 to Green Their finishing was topdrawer, whereas Purple missed a lot of good chances which could have made it a much closer game. Game played in good spirits and no incidents to report”

Pitch C under the experienced guidance of Ref Jeff Betty

Old Gold 4 v 4 Blue

Blue started well racing into a 3 nil lead with goals from Jim 1 and Phil Moss 2 but Old Gold got back into the game with a couple of goals from Clint and Colin. The half time score 4 - 2 Jill with the other Blue goal. Old Gold got their game together in the second half and drew level with two more goals one from Dave and Clint with his second of the game. Over-all a closely fought game Blues on top in-the first half and Old Gold fighting back well taking the second. Shiela had some great chances and was picked out well with some accurate passing from Dave, but unfortunately she couldn’t convert any of them mostly due to some desperate last ditch tackles from Citeh Geoff. (Dave remains a mystery inclusion but seems to made an impression nevertheless) It was great to see Jim Murphy return to action As always Clint Steve Eastwood put in a shift too, he’s always welcome when he visits UK

All in all a great mornings footie in very warm conditions well-done everyone!”

SHWFC broke new ground, in no small way because of Engerland’s win over mighty DR Congo, staging their midweek Sutton SoccerDome session on Thursday A gamble perhaps but 22 seasoned members took their courage in both hands and took to the MUGA (multi use sports area) or sand trap (as it more often described) for an hour’s jollity

Two Referees El Presidente and Head Ref Jeff kept a grip on sanity as 5 a side and 6 a side games were played with great enthusiasm and style

Yellow played Black in an epic end to end encounter The score and advantage changing hands with great regularity

Yellow took the early lead when Ian Harding brushed off defenders to find the corner of the net Gonzalo rose that challenge with two quick fire strike and Black were 2-1 ahead Harding replied with two of his own 3-2 Yellow ahead But Jason rounded off a smart move to level for Black Cockney Rebel gave advantage back for Yellow only for Gonzalo to equalise on the stroke of half time 4-4 and time for a breather

Doug settled Yellow back in to match with a typical surge from midfield before firing home But Gonzalo and then Simon both registered goals for Black to tip the balance back in their favour 6-5 Goals by Paul Cott’ Chris 10P and Doug again put Yellow ahead 8-6 Eamon claimed 2 goals to steer Black back level 8-8 Finally a flurry of Yellow attacks stretched the tiring Black defensive shape Chris 10P with two more and Ian Harding a late hatrick ( adding to his earlier 3) took the game away from Black The greater energy and determination from Yellow proved to be too much 13-8 the final score Epic football, some excellent goals, some forgettable defending and tracking back But overall a great workout in tiring conditions

Teams were;

Yellow - Paul Cott, Cockney Rebel, Ian Ha4ding, Doug & Chris 10P

Black - Simon, Eamon, Benno, Jason & Gonzalo

The nights other game was another cracker as described by Head Ref Jeff

White 4 v 3 Orange

White - Deggs 2, Geoff 1, PJ 1

Orange Deano 2, Andy 1

White shot into a 3 goal lead

playing some neat flowing football, but Orange weren’t phased by this and due to some splendid communication between the players started to put their game together very effectively

Half time score 3 nil White on top

The second half saw the complete turn in fortunes as it was Orange who looked the more controlled team, and thanks to goals by Deano 2 and Andy the scores were level.

The last five minutes was end to end as both teams went all out to get the winner

By this time both teams were also on a final warning for not walking offences.

In the end it was Deggsy who popped up with the winner for White

Rob Brown played well in just his second outing, his first in the white hot dust bowl the previous week Deano goal haul included the goal of the night rounding off a superb passing move featuring Andy and Phil the Power Overall a great match, the result in the balance throughout White prevailing 4-3

The teams were;

Orange - Deano, Rob Brown, Wickie, Andy, Philmthe Power & Little John

White - PJ, GRAV, Citeh Geoff, Lord Rainford, Deggs & Les H