Surf’s Up*

SHWFC has all manner of members in its numbers; old & young, big and small, famous and infamous One of our ‘celebrated’ members Brian Wilson, fell foul of transgressing the Laws Of Game on Monday morning Our very own Beach Boy was shown a Blue Card, for a DOGSO offence (denying opponent of goal scoring opportunity) his trip on Green’s Phil Moss was punished by a penalty and three minute spell off the pitch His indiscretion signalled a change in his Team Black fortunes but more of that later

There was a misty start to the session, parts of Ruskin Sports Village reporting a sprinkle of rain, whilst the bigger parts reported dull, muggy conditions No rain yet again!

Thirty Eight souls were treated to a new pitch setting up regime in an effort to maximise playing time One doubting Thomas (well ok Barry) questioned the wisdom of this particular cunning plan, and promptly wasted three or minutes before agreeing that “it just might work”

The teams paraded in their colours were photographed for posterity and the dispatch cones & markers at the ready to mark out their portion of the greenery Did it work? Well yes it did Play got underway promptly with a lusty blast from El Presidente’s Acme Thunderer

Old Gold - Ste Harding, McSpeed, Cornelius, Roy, Brian, Rita & Les H

Purple - Big Tony, Ian Connor, Trish, Chris K, Ricky, Little John & Peter O

Played each other for the session’s duration in a tight game that flowed back and forth throughout Former WFA (what’s that?) Official,Les Lomax was entertained by the honest endeavour and application of all players

The game ended 3 v 3 thanks to goals by Old Gold’s McSpeed and Les H 2 one from the penalty spot Peter O’Mara also found the net twice with Chris Kelsall the other marksman A good contest and fair result

Blue faced Green in the opening match on Pitch 1

Blue - Barry Wizz, Haggis, Enoch, Mark NR, Citeh Geoff and John Carroll

Green - John Hayes, Mika, Snakehips, Mike Bates, Cockney Rebel & Phil Moss

The game played in a noisy (maybe too chatty) atmosphere produced plenty to admire but just a solitary goal to decide the outcome Barry wizzed on to good pass to drill the ball past John Hayes The keeper produced a string of fine saves over the course of the morning Green top dogs going into their final game with a very decent Red outfit

That finale ended with Blue claiming the honours with a comprehensive 3-1 win Red unable to derail the morning’s strongest outfit

Goals by Barry, Haggis and Mark NR sealed the win though Red did claim a consolation to perk up their challenge

The remaining teams;

Red - John Hill, Ashy, Andy Man, Colin, Monday Michelle & Phil the Power

Black - Beach Boy, Jan, Honeyman, Lee Girvo, Tom Stretch and Phil the Cat

Red played Black in the other tie, Red producing some excellent performances; team work, passing and organisation far too much for Black to cope Colin was first to find the net rounding off the game’s first real passing interlude Midfield domination by Andy Man and Michelle an indicator of the game ahead Michelle grabbed the second goal another product of fine passing

Black were off the pace all game But were given little space or time by their opponents Phil the Power fired a shot that struck the inner frame of the post to make it 3-0 Tom Stretch struggled to exert a real influence on his team’s game but in truth Black struggled in every aspect John Hill fired a fourth goal, a demonstration of a team brimming in confident intensity The final goal was turned in by Phil the Power 5-0 a one-sided demolition

The last match of the morning was a bit of a cliff hanger with the previously dismal Black looking to improve their record facing Green

Black took an early and surprising lead thanks to Tom Stretch, who cemented his hero status soon after with a fine full ‘stretch’ save to deny Cockney Rebel an equaliser

In a chaotic game the need for someone to put their foot on the ball was most apparent Green improving went close to levelling but incredibly Black doubled their advantage with Steve Honeyman sweeping a low shot into the corner Black enjoyed a spell of dominance Green keeper John Hayes called upon to make some sharp saves to keep his side in the contest Mika intercepted well Black on top against the odds

Green did eventually find some inspiration, Phil Moss picking off a loose clearance to make it 2-1 in Black’s favour Phil Moss levelled minutes later to give the score a truer reflection of the game

Black retook the lead after a pathetically weak back pass was picked off by Phil the Cat 3-2

As play moved to the other end of the pitch, Beach Boy was left to make a professional foul on Moss The proximity to goal meant a penalty and 3 minute one man advantage for the now rampant Green Cockney Rebel crashed the penalty low into the corner 3-3 but could Black now hold out? Inevitably Green took command with Mike Bates next to find the net 4-3 Green ahead now Green went further ahead with Moss taking full advantage to make 5-3

Cockney Rebel claimed his second penalty conversion after Lee Girvo wandered into the area The spot kick was less authoritative this time A rising shot into the net but too powerful for the keeper to save 6-3 The whistle blast ended the Black punishment Amazingly the game had been nicely poised until the first penalty Green took full advantage of the extra man 3 goal whilst Black were a man light A morning to forget for Black?

The session was played in good spirit, plenty of tales of derringer do in the Wicket post session

This week’s Blog will only focus on the Monday session due in no small part to the fact the Editor and Production team being in Portugal for a Family break See y’all in September

Tuesday 1st September (Bank Holiday Monday delaying regular action)

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Surfs Up - Beach Boys