One Step From Heaven*

A far from routine week for SHWFC members got underway with some bright football to match the Spring- like weather that bathed Ruskin Sports Village on Monday morning A swift reminder that it is still February arrived before the end of the session with a sprinkling of drizzle that would grow in intensity by mid-afternoon Importantly however our players were able to enjoy their games in relative calm, though some players were surely tested during play

Forty One players tested Football Managers organisational skills but were eventually cajoled into the following teams;

Old Gold - Haggis, Enoch, Citeh Geoff, Steve Harding, Helen, Eamon and Amazon Prime

Blue - Rick, Sheila, Andy Man, Lord Rainford, Les Hewitt and Glen

Red - Les Meldrew, Mark NR, Tom Derby, Mike Bates, Cockney Rebel and Margaret

Black - Phil the Cat, Wickie, Eileen, Ashy, Brian, Lefty, Triallist and Trish

Purple - Roger, Rob, Joe the Ghost, Paul, Chris K, Tomo and the Honeyman

Green - Mike Thomo, McSpeed, El Presidente, Beach Boy, John Hill and Monday Michelle

Refereeing duties fell upon Kev McGovern, Les and Phil the Power/Lord Rainford

Green laboured to victory over Purple ahead and looking assured thanks to goals by Michelle and Mike Thomo, Purple were gifted generous goals by Rob and the Honeyman Green reasserted their dominance with a further goal by Mike Thomo enough to seal the Green deal, 3-2 the winning margin as patience frayed with a string of bewildering incidents to see out the game

Next up Purple were overshadowed by Old Gold with Eamon, Helen and an own goal Joe the Ghost hit a Purple consolation A marginally calmer atmosphere prevailing 3-1 the shoreline with Old Gold taking the honours

Blue and Red served up a close fought full session game at the far end well refereed by the dynamic duo Blue hit goals through Rick, Rainford and Glen But struggled to put the game truly beyond Red Tom Derby and Mark found the net in reply 3-2 the final score with both teams fully contributing to an entertaining game

Les eased back in action with steady control of two games Black faced Old Gold for openers before hosting Green in the final match Sadly no details of those games was available to Reuters or the Associated Press but Green and Black was a tight match with both sides pushing for a victory Brian enjoyed acres of space left by missing Green defenders to score a fine long range effort Lefty Bridge keeping up his recent hot form Whilst for Green Monday Michelle, Mike Thomo and McSpeed left their mark on the game

In the final analysis the games were generally close and played in a sporting attitude

Midweek and the best temperatures of the year to date meant a better turnout of talent on show

As ever the action was split between Sutton’s SoccerDome indoor and outdoor pitches

The Innards produced a very sporting mature showing thanks to the following sides adopting a friendly sensible ethic

Those maturing included;

Green - Joe the Ghost, Citeh Geoff, Wickie, Triallist and the Honeyman

Red - Andy Man, Paul Robby, Les Meldrew, Les Hewitt and Phil the Power

Green proved too powerful for the Red romping to a 6-1 victory thanks to a stout defensive display and sharper goal taking prowess Phil the Power sailed off to a Down Under sojourn with the Red consolation Citeh Geoff, Joe the Ghost and the Honeyman all on the mark for Green

An enjoyable game, closer than the score might suggest Well done to all involved

In the outside parallel universe A 7 a side plus 6 a side set of games illuminated the evening

Chris 10P Prout took one of the games

Yellow facing Blue in the six a side saunter

Yellow were - Simon, Eamon, Mark Dav, Roger and Mike Thomo

Meanwhile Blue were- Little John, Chris Sully, Gaz, Eileen, Nigel and Jason

We are indebted to Chris for his commentary -

“ This was a cracking match, 2 different styles of play but end to end with plenty of action Missed penalties, great saves almost a cup tie”

Yellow took a more measured passing style Mark Dav, Eamon and Mike Thomo linking well Eamon struck the opener, before Blue upped their tempo thanks to Chris Sullivan Jason led the line in a more direct approach There was a furry of goals before the interval with the sides locked at 3-3 at the break

Jason saved a good effort from Eamon but goals by Gaz and Jason took Blue clear and to a well earned 5-3 victory Afterwards there was great show of unity and sportsmanship It seems everyone enjoyed the game Full marks for Referee Chris Prout, let the game flow with timely explanations for his decisions whenever necessary

The night’s final game was a goal fest with 17 goals plundered between Orange and White

White - Haggis, Tom Stretch, Martin Mc, Graham, Ian Hilton, Ian Harding and Deano

Orange - Jeff Betty, Cornelius, Cockney Rebel, Steve Carine, Neil Stretch and PJ

As the shoreline would suggest the action was frenetic end to end Lots to admire Orange passing the ball around with great purpose, White had an extra player advantage for the first half and showed a greater sense of teamwork unsurprisingly Steve Carine opened the scoring before goals by Ian Harding, Graham Kidd Harding again took White 3-1 ahead Carine hit back before Cockney Rebel hit a sublime leveller Deano took White back in front Haggis and then the returning Martin Mc put Orange 5-4 as the interval arrived The weather had taken a distinct downturn with heavy drizzle now to contend with

White sacrificed their additional player for the second stanza and promptly went ahead through Haggis and Hilton Cockney Rebel sealed a hat trick with two fine goals Carine inevitably tested the net fixings with further goals

The game ended in a hard earned 9-8 win for Orange The final result might have gone either way but was almost irrelevant Great goals decorated the game, sportsmanship and spirit a credit to all involved

The Turks Head media session was a muted affair with Messrs Deggs, Gonzalo and Lord Rainford all absent in parts unknown The changing personnel keep things fresh Same again please!

One Step From Heaven* - The Adventures (rather fine 1980s Norn Iron band)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-YFfgM7eZA