Keep It In The Family*
- Peter Fitzpatrick
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Like many successful enterprises SHWFC has always been a family affair The institution has always been at the heart of so much that we do Families such as the Clark’s, Fitzpatrick’s, Painter - Bridge, Painter & Painter, Harris, Drewett, Forshaw, Barrow, Prout, Mullarkey, Trump and Corleone have decorated the pages of our 11 year existence Any family that has been overlooked, accept an apology but don’t set the boys on the Blogarista
So another chapter was marked at Sutton this Wednesday with Fathers and Sons, Steve & Lewis, Citeh Geoff & Citeh Mike, lining up to enjoy the Walking Football on offer Nepotism eh? At least it keeps it in the Family
The week started with a very healthy number turning up to celebrate Spain saving world football from villainy on Sunday night at the FIFA World SoccerBowl final
The new week raised fresh hopes for an end to cynism, cheating and corruption Our array of Referees on offer backing up the new hard line Blessed with Messrs Betty, Lomax, Chopper, Williams the late and Charlie, somehow our qualified officials were graciously rewarded with spectator roles
How that was arrived at we await clarification, we also await details of scores and scorers But when did that ever deter a good auld manufactured Blog?
The teams on show to admire or admonish were
Green - Rita, Andy Man, Barry Wizz (or do you prefer Michael Baz?) Cockney Rebel, Glen and Cornelius
Red - Big Tony, Ricky, Kerry, Enoch, Les Meldrew and Aldo
Blue - Brian, Snakehips, Haggis, Mark NR, Triallist & Eileen
Purple - Mossy, Ian Connor, John Hill, Citeh Geoff, Citeh Mike and Sheila (that’s alliteration for you)
Old Gold - Phil the Power, Gonzalo, Speedo Mick, Les H, Ashy & Phil the Cat
Black - PaulF, Mike Thomo, El Presidente, McSpeed, Steve Jones & Mika
We do know that Charlie presided over a Blue win over Green Cornelius with a rare goal the Green scorer, but a Mark (No Relation) hat trick sealed a 3-1 victory “Well played Both teams showing some flowing passing movement”
Green enjoyed the upper hand in their second fixture “a close game” with goals by Andy Man and Barry Wizz securing a 2-0 win over their Purple people opponents
Red fought back from a 2-0 deficit to shade Black 3-2 Black in control and cruising before the dramatic reverse
Black had a narrower defeat than might have been expected in their game with Old Gold Gonzalo had two early goals but Black tightened up defensively and hit back through McSpeed The game ended with Phil the Cat producing a string of saves to keep the score at 2-1 Old Gold glittering, whilst Black ended the morning winless with Steve Jones clearly in some discomfort after an accidental collision with Phil the Power “Racing incident” offered a seasoned pro. “I could hear the thud in stands” J Betty
Wednesday saw the unveiling of new shirts graciously donated by Rainhill Rotary Six colours that don’t clash with our Monday options, 10 per team with a pre-determined mixture of sizes “And jolly nice they look too!”
Suitably shiny the teams lined up in the following dazzling array;
Orange - Cockney Rebel, Deggs, Les H, Joe the Ghost, Mike Thomo, Darron, GRAV & Jason
Sky - Roy, Martin Mc, Simon, Chris 4G, Doug, Andy Man, Haggis & Ste Carine
This 8 a side match was an absolute joy to referee with loads of end to end action played in a very honest and fair way by all involved The ball was swept from side to side as both teams sought to find the opening goal Eventually it was a sharp counter attack that produced the opener with Orange over-loading the stretched Sky rearguard Mike Thomo kept a cool head to steer the ball past the keeper
The half time break did little to kerb the action and in time Sky were able to find Steve Carine in front of goal with a cool finish to draw the sides level With time ebbing away Simon struck a fine shot to give the lead to Sky Orange were unfortunate to trail with time almost up Pressure in the dying minutes was all on the Sky defence
A late free kick led to some more frenzied action but Sky held out to squeak victory in the tightest manner An excellent performance from all involved with Sky slightly calmer, taking their chances Orange pipped at the post despite a zesty showing
In the night’s other match ‘the Family Affair’ a seven a side game matched the intensity from the adjacent pitch
Pink - Lewis Honeyman, PJ, Peter Norton on debut, Gaz, Steve Honeyman, Les Meldrew & Dave Robbo
Yellow (not Old Gold) - Cornelius, Ian Hilton, Subbuteo Dave, Chris 10P, Citeh Geoff, Citeh Mike and Phil the Power
Ref Jeff Betty relays the unfolding events “
Pink 6 v Yellow 5 (possibly)
The Pink scorers were Chris 10P with 3, Phil the Power, Subbuteo Dave & Ian Hilton
Yellow scorers Steve Honeyman 3, Lewis and Gaz
Very close game nip and tuck all the way through, marked by two excellent hat tricks Steve getting his by selfishly pinching the ball of Lewis’ foot as he was about to shoot. Lewis did score a cracker into the far bottom corner as did Chris, with one of his three being a rocket into the far top corner The win (if indeed it was a win) was achieved with an unfortunate deflection off PJ’s rear end As an observer on the adjacent pitch noted the shot was covered and off target until PJ sent his keeper the wrong way But they all count (unless they don’t)
“Everyone thought it was a draw at the end, but according to my phone, it wasn’t! I still think it finished 5-5” Resplendent in their new shirts the teams put on a great contest
Family honours were even, unless they weren’t
Great fun, marvellous football
Football Manager Andy Houghton was finally was able to present Clubman of the Year Les Hewitt with his trophy before Monday's session - Congratulations to Les on this award from everyone at the club - very well deserved
Keep It In The Family* - Leon Haywood
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