Get Ready*

The last Blog before our sensational filming day A chance to catch up with some of our usual suspects before they face the cameras This week’s Monday morning was a dull but rather warm start to the week Ruskin Sports Village looked the part ahead of its time in the spotlight We had the now usual nonsense with Referee availability but it didn’t let it spoil the fun

The teams were;

Old Gold - Lefty Bridge, Triallist, Phil the Power, Michelle Monday and Anita

Green - Barry Wizz, McSpeed, Lord Rainford, Tom Derby and Haggis (possibly fastest team ever assembled at Ruskin - worth 2 penalties to opposition?)

Purple - Jan, Snakehips, Wickie, Julie and Andy Man

Blue - Brian, Kirsty, Steve Honeyman, Cockney Rebel and PaulF

Black (6) - Mike Tomo, Liz, Aldo, Mark NR, Roger and Enoch

Red (6) - Steve Jones, Tom Stretch, Eamon, Geoff Prout, Jill Tomo and Little John

Green faced Old Gold in match 1 a game refereed by Charlie which was nip and tuck throughout Michelle Monday seized the early initiative for Old Gold before Lefty Bridge hit a trademark drive that fizzed into the net Old Gold 2 up and looking comfortable Then Lord Rainford pounced on a poor clearance to pull a goal back 2-1 Soon after Anita tucked in from a corner beating keeper Haggis at the far post Old Gold 3-1 in front Michelle claimed a hat trick to ease the pressure before Barry whizzed a fine effort into the top of the net 5-2 the final score Anita produced a world class save to add to her goal A great return after her injury woes

Purple and Blue was cautious tight affair with Steve Honeyman producing the game’s only goal to hand Blue the narrowest of victories

In Round 2 Green and Purple was an entertaining draw played with great spirit and endeavour Goals by Julie and Andy Man for Purple were cancelled out by strikes by Barry and Tom Derby 2-2 the final result neither team deserving to lose

Blue and Old Gold was similarly a tight encounter Brian with a brace and Kirsty were the Blue benefactors whilst Phil powered twice with Lefty also on target as the teams shared 6 goals and the spoils 3-3

The morning’s other game was a six a side jamboree with yet again the score line tied 5 goals each after a pulsating game We are assured that Geoff Prout was once again a scorer with an absolutely stunning goal Son Chris Prout has been talked through the strike (a Father & Son thing I can confirm) A Slipper Salon patron backed up this claim, saying “Geoff might have mentioned it once or twice” The morning’s result underline progress in team selection with very close games

Our midweek outing at the Sutton SoccerDome started in bright sunlight that soon abated to leave dull but very humid conditions after the opening ten minutes

Two games; one game a six a side contest the other a tetchy seven a side slugfest

The teams were;

Orange - Little John, Benno, Rachel Mutch (Mutchy on her debut), Andy Man, Midweek Michelle, Roger and Deggs

White - Grav, Chris 4G, Wickie, Subbuteo Dave, Darron and Heather (another debutant)

With two new ladies gracing the pitch this was always going to be a tricky match in testing conditions with the pitch lightning quick White enjoyed the most of possession and posed the greater threat Orange battled to stay close but a string of excellent saves by Grav kept White in the ascendancy Goals by Grav 3, Darron 2, plus Wickie, Heather and Subbuteo Dave steered White to a deserved win by 8 goals to 5 Deggs hit a hat trick with Michelle and Benno with singletons for Orange 8-5 the final score Both newbies showed good form Mutchy was thwarted by some great saves but produced some great saves of her own Excellent game to be involved with commented Ref Betty

Lemon - Robin, Phil the Power, Les H, Gonzalo, Joe the Ghost, Les Meldrew and Helen

Red - Colin, Ian H, Eileen, Lord Rainford, Cockney Rebel, Haggis and Peter PJ

This game was a tetchy contest with a little too much ‘not walking’ and some meaty challenges that missed the no physical contact definition The final result was a narrow 6 -5 win for Lemon

Gonzalo with a hat trick plus goals by Les Meldrew (early strike catching Red off guard), Helen and Phil for Lemon Whilst Colin and Cockney Rebel both claimed a brace with Haggis on target for Red Colin was unlucky to miss out on a hat trick, pulled for a 4th touch when he played on after a defender had inadvertently nicked the ball back to him Red wasted a penalty chance too

Tight game with an edge to proceedings 6-5 with handshakes all round after the final whistle

So we look forward to Monday and our date with the film makers

Members are encouraged to bring along family and friends it’s going to be a full on fun day We remind everyone that there is a clothing protocol for the event No football or rugby club shirts (SHWFC is fine) or sports branded clothing must be worn

We need about a dozen people who will not be playing in our usual 11am session to help create some scenes that will be filmed in the streets leading to the ground

Anyone who simply wants to spectate is asked to join the fun in the Wicket from 12:30 onwards There’ll be a Director on site to explain the schedule and supply goodies for the filming Sandwiches and refreshments will be provided for this group

The day’s activities centre around a special game We need to create a crowd atmosphere to encourage the players to produce a showpiece As hinted before there will be surprises along the way to foster a celebratory story It’s a great chance to be involved in a cinematic experience

Get Ready* - The Temptations