I’ve Passed This Way Before*

Any lingering doubts about the changing seasons were extinguished on Monday morning as members gathered at Ruskin Sports Village in preparation for the week’s first session It was cold but mercifully dry at least Just how cold was yet to be established but by kick off El Presidente was taking orders for Club gloves as little hands and fingers succumbed to the frosty chill wind

Andy Man put his charges through a gruelling set of Pilates inspired workouts before announcing the day’s teams

Those teams were;

Black - Little John, Sheila, Chopper, McSpeed, Rick, Mike Bates and Mika

Purple - Robin, Haggis, Mark NR, Les H, Aldo and Phil the Cat

Old Gold - Enoch, Donal, Les Meldrew, Andy Man, Margaret, Mike Thomo and Grav

Blue - Phil the Power, Snakehips, Tom Stretch, Liz, John Hill and Wickie

Green - Citeh Geoff, Steve Eccles (impressive debutant), Thatto Dave, the Honeyman, Monday Michelle and El Presidente

Red - Mark Armstrong, Ashy, Bridgey, Steve Jones, Glen and Jill Tomo

Referees for the morning included returning Ref Les Lomax, Head Judge Ref Jeff Betty and Charlie, who went about his work with calm efficiency

Black and Old Gold with their extra personnel played out the full session under Charlie’s guidance The game was a good tussle with both teams looking vulnerable and also threatening in attack The only outcome possible was the almost inevitable draw Three first half goals by McSpeed might have tipped the balance in favour of Black but Old Gold showed great stick ability with two goals each for Mike Thomo and Margaret a good reward for Old Gold Little John fired the final Black goal 4-4 the final score Great watch apparently Honours even Handshakes all round

Green looked a very solid selection with loads of defensive experience In debutant Steve Eccles, more of whom later, and the industrious Monday Michelle their side had the edge throughout the morning In their first match with Blue play was mostly in the Blue defensive areas Steve Honeyman working hard to find the opening goal which was soon followed by Steve Eccles debut goal Green restricted Blue to occasional counter attacks and proved too organised to concede Two nil was the final verdict as Green eased to their first win Next up Green travelled to the asjacet pitch to tackle Red The game settled into a similar pattern Red strangled in midfield by great coverage A hat trick by the Honeyman eased the Green machine to a comfortable 3-0 win 100% record for their morning’s work and no goals conceded

Red had played Purple in their opening game winning a close encounter thanks to goals by Glen and Lefty Bridge Purple were always a threat with Aldo, who had a goal chalked off for not walking, finding one goal in reply 2-1 the close margin Red holding on to claim the victory

Purple found Blue a more straightforward proposition in the final game Mark NR hit a hat trick and Phil the Cat a brace as Purple powered to a 5-1 victory Phil the Power did claim the Blue consolation Tough day at the office 7 goals conceded with just solitary strike in reply

There was a special moment in the Slipper Salon (still awaiting the end of the refurbishment to regain its sumptuous status) as debutant Steve Eccles produced 2 trays of confectionery for his fellow members As impressive as that gesture was, he was gently reminded that he still needs to present his initiation song to be totally accepted as a bona fide SHWFC inductee After a recent cake drought the gesture was most welcome “Jolly good cakes” - said cake aficionado Stretch T. Parr And who would disagree?

Outward Bounders teams selected in really difficult circumstances, with no option in the end but to go with a 9v9 game This is incredibly hard for Football Manager to handle At 6pm he was planning 4 teams of 5 - then 2 drop outs meant a rethink Credit then for those who did honour their availability declaration Thanks to Andy and Ref Jeff who prepared these reports

Orange - Helen, John Cousins, Mark Dav, Steve C, Chris 4G, Andy, Simon Wickie and Haggis

Yellow - Sully, Dawn, Deggs, Tom Stretch, Subbuteto Dave, Little John, Deano, Mike Thomo and Ian Harding

Game ended 6-0 to Orange Sounds like a thrashing but it wasn't. The main difference was the victor’s organisation.

Bit disappointing that we had 2 no-shows, so had to play a 9v9 with Jeff kindly reffing. Simon and Steve Carine with 2 goals each, Haggis and Helen scored 1 apiece. Clinical finishing and the determination to repel all Yellow efforts A frantic game with little space to develop the sweeping range of passing which is a feature of our regular games Wickie and John Cousins shone in defence

Despite a tight even start some unknown reason Yellow decided to throw caution to the wind and go all out attack. This unfortunately left their defence lacking in numbers to contain the Orange forwards The Orange team kept their shape well throughout with great link up play from Andy Simon and Mark Dav Haggis Steve and Helen caused constant problems for Tom Dawn and Little John (the overworked Yellow defenders).

Meanwhile in the white heat of the Sports hall the Innards stripped off and stepped up performances for their own bonanza

White - Phil the Power, Meldrew, Les H, Midweek Michelle and Grav

Orange -Joe the Ghost, Citeh Geoff, Tom Derby, Colin and Triallist

“Blue took a quick 2 goal lead thanks to a defensive slip, picked off by Tom Derby, plus an own goal from the White Grav hit back to reply for White before Tom scored again to make it 3-1 to Blue at half time. The second half started well for White, Les Hewitt scored and then a thunderous shot from Midweek Michelle brought the scores level Grav added another for White. In chasing equaliser Blue left themselves exposed and Les H and then Grav scored again to produce a 6-3 score line

Geof Prout acted as referee on side and did well even taking some stick” Les Meldrew

Let’s ensure we use the availability Polls to ensure we have the chance to join sessions for our personal and fellow members benefit

I’ve Passed This Way Before* Jimmy Ruffin