Invisible Touch*

Kudos yet again to Football Manager Andy Houghton, who demonstrated once more his ability to select exceptionally well- balanced teams - eight of them at Monday morning’s Ruskin Sports Village opening session 44 players of all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities shoe-horned into lean mean fighting machines for an hours full blooded Walking Football

Those teams were;

Red - Mike Thomo, Steve Jones, McSpeed, Amazon Prime, Rick & Cornelius

Yellow - Phil the Cat, Gonzalo, Margaret, Phil Moss, Wickie & Snakehips

Blue - Chris Gilmore’, Geoff Prout, Jenko, Haggis & Enoch

Black - Les H, Honeyman, Les Meldrew, Lefty Bridge, Ashy & Dave Robbo

Green - Brian P, Ian Connor, Steve Harding, Triallist & Colin

Purple - Phil the Power, Jan, Eamon, Andy Man & El Presidente

White - Tom Stretch, Donal, Trish, PaulF, Roy & Sheila

Old Gold - John Hill, Grazer Clark, Kirsty, Mark NR & Citeh Geoff

Referees for the morning’s extravaganza were Ref Jeff Betty, Alan Aldo Aldridge, Charley and the Invisible Touch (no referee available)

On pitch A Ref Jeff took a very firm grip on proceedings, featuring Old Gold and Purple, with a string of fouls called for not walking One particular call brought toots of derision as El Presidente was chastised for wishing he could run, but of course the Referee is always right Once things settled down two goals by Kirsty and then Mark NR handed the initiative to Old Gold Fighting back Purple went close when Grazer (back without incident) tipped a goal-bound effort from El Presidente around the post for a corner Eamon pulled a goal back from the following passage of play but that would prove to be too little too late Old Gold holding out for a 2-1 win

In their second game Old Gold secured an unbeaten morning with another 2-1 victory Mark NR hit both goals with Lee Jenko scoring the Blue consolation

Charlie meanwhile showed his growing confidence with astute handling of White and Yellow clash A Gonzalo brace and a Phil Moss effort ensured Yellow took the honours in a very good game Both teams played their part PaulF did find the net in reply for White but Yellow were able to ease to a deserved victory 3-1 the final score

The Minstrel derby was won by Black who were well matched throughout by White Steve Honeyman claimed a brace with Les Meldrew sealing the vital winning goal Tom Stretch and Trish ensured that White stayed in touch but Black prevailed in a classic end to end match 3-2 the final score

In other news Green faced a determined challenge from Blue yet another game decided by just the odd goal Chris Gilmore led Blue to the narrowest of victories with a brace Haggis hit an excellent goal to claim the win Colin and the Triallist had scored for Green but the game finished with Blue 3-2 victors

Green proved too energetic for Purple who had two goals by Eamon to test their opponents But Colin, Brian and Triallist all took chances to ensure Green claimed the honours in the morning’s final game

Elsewhere Yellow and Red concluded the action and in synergy with the morning’s other fixtures this was a very tight affair until a flurry of goals by Red took the game away from the battling Blacks On the score sheet for Red; Amazon, McSpeed and er Steve Jones (got to work on a nickname Jonah) Gonzalo and Phil Moss hit back for Black but 4-2 the final score

As has become the norm recently the post-session was a tad lame with only the provision of Mullarkey’s confection to revitalise weary bodies A warm one without being scorchio

Wednesday’s weather continued the arrival of Spring-Summer Numbers were reflective of the exposure of Set Piece FC’s European campaign Surely no one could elect to willingly watch such cynical dross when an hour’s Walking Football was on offer?

The line ups were tweaked with infinite precision as follows;

Pink - Phil the Power, Kirsty, Roger, Benno, Jason, Doug, Eamon & PJ

Orange - Tom Stretch, Andy Man, Les Meldrew, Helen, Little John, Gaz, Chris 4G & Subbuteo Dave (a late addition to the session switched to Orange from Pink)

Black - Martin Mc, Mike Thomo, Deggs, Steve C, Eileen, Simon & Citeh Geoff

Yellow - Honeyman, Mark Dav, Ian Hilton, Haggis, Les H, GRAV & Joe the Ghost

Refereeing duties were undertaken by Jeff Betty & El Presidente both determined to keep play down to a sprint wherever possible

Black played Yellow with Ref Jeff taking up the commentary in his unique manner

“A game of two halves as the saying goes, with the Black team racing into a 5 -nil lead forcing a change to be made with Haggis and Simon switching sides. This seemed to work well with the Yellow team scoring a trio of goals to make the half time score 5-3

Yellow then took complete control of the game and raced into 7-5 lead. With 5 minutes left Chris 10P offered to join the Black team hoping that the extra man would help them to get back into the game but Yellow scored again making the final score 8-5 to Yellow

Scorers were -

Mark Dav (2) Steve Honeyman (3) Simon (1) Ian Hilton (1) GRAV (1) for Yellow

In reply Simon(2) Steve C (2) and Deggs (1 ) penalty for Black

The final score 8-5 Yellow the winners”

The night’s other match was an absolute classic Some of the finest passing and teamwork ever witnessed at Sutton and there’s many many epic contests

Pink took an early lead with a interception twisting off Andy Man to his dismay Undaunted Orange then produced a fine passage of teamwork and patient passing to craft a goal for Subbuteo Dave, back after a long absence 1-1 In another sweeping move the Pink rearguard was outmanoeuvred to allow Chris 4G the chance to fire home 2-1 Orange ahead Eamon found time and space to draw Pink back level All square at 2-2 with the ball fizzing about with dizzying accuracy Helen found the net from a penalty awarded for four ‘not walking’ offences Pink risky strategy failing at this point Orange extended the lead thanks Little John rounding off another great move 4-2 Orange’s dominance surely enough to grab the win their football merited

In the final 10 minutes as Orange tired it was Pink’s time to shine Their passing and movement caused increasing problems and it was little surprise that goals by PJ, a growing influence on the game and then Eamon levelled the scores Almost inevitably a late goal by Benno sealed the great comeback Pink from 4-2 behind claimed victory as the Orange defence was peeled apart 5-4 the final verdict All agreed it was an absolutely superb match

Another Bank Holiday Monday next on the agenda with the now usual delay to stage the week’s opening games on Tuesday instead

Have a great weekend Everyone

Invisible Touch* - Genesis (prog rock to pop rock mega stars)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epOBenUjIHw