Walking Slow*

Ah yes the very essence of the game, lest we forget If there was an honest assessment of our year so far it would have to include an admission that in most of our sessions we’ve had too much ‘not walking’ The penalty count for 4 ‘not walking’ violations is much too high If we were really strict that total could be much higher There’s real quality throughout our sessions but sometimes that’s being eclipsed by the preponderance of people who don’t want to abide with the Laws of The Game

One relatively new member decided he couldn’t cope with constantly being reminded to slow and the number of times he conceded fouls by ignoring the essence WALKING Football Other new members seamlessly drop into the pattern of play After all we play because we love football, we rejoice that here’s version that suits our aging bodies It gives so much back if you’ll embrace the spirit of enjoyment, involvement and inclusion Our Club utilises the 3 touch regime and our games are consequently better for that

We acknowledge that some members have great football qualities, but what makes our sessions really outstanding is the manner in which every player can contribute to the games Senior experienced players can encourage and mentor the less mobile or skilfull with a few well chosen words of wisdom That is the team ethic we applaud So to the newbie struggling to adapt we urge patience Work at your game You’ll find great satisfaction of being part of a team and this Club

Monday morning’s Ruskin Sports Village set-to in sublime weather featured 42 players spread across 3 pitches with the refereeing duties handled by JeffBetty, Charlie and cheeky chappy Mr Cockney Rebel (in pre-holiday mode)

The teams selected were as follows;

Old Gold - Donal, Mike Bates, Ashy, Roy, Trish and PaulF

Purple - Steve Eccles, Big Tony, Wickie, Ian Connor, Monday Michelle and Snakehips

Red - Tom Stretch, Steve Harding, El Presidente, Les Meldrew, Tomo, Eamon, Little John & the Honeyman

Blue - Rick, Mark NR, Andy Man, Margaret, Phil Moss, Enoch, Citeh Geoff & GRAV

Green - John Hill, Lefty Bridge, Cornelius, Amazon Prime, Steve Jones, Dave Roberts & Mika

Black - McSpeed, Chris Gilmore, Beach Boy, John Cott, Colin, Kirsty & Haggis

Cockney Rebel, in final preparation for his Spring Sojurn to Tenerife, elected to not risk injury and instead was Ref for a Day

Black faced Green in his opening encounter This was a very close game with lots of chances created but only one that counted John Hill found the Black net from some distance and that solitary strike sealed the win

In game 2 Purple took on Green in a repeat of the first match score line Steve Eccles claimed the vital goal in a game that was punctuated with many fine saves Plenty of good passing from both sides, but a fatal lack of Red Zone accuracy meant plenty of wasted efforts too Great spirit from both sides but a distinct lack of net bulging to report

The Far End featured a very watchable 8 a side tussle between Blue and Red The early action featured a very efficient start by Red with Jill Tomo and Steve Honeyman finding the net after some excellent passing and movement by Red Two goals to the good and dominating possession Red then inexplicably imploded Andy Man led the Blues Revival taking a grip on the midfield In sharp contrast Red close their shape and gifted possession to the Blue GRAV found space to drill home twice before Margaret piled personal agony on Tom Stretch for a deserved goal Mark claimed a brace to put Blue out of reach After their early success, Red struggled to hit back and became wasteful in front of goal The final score 5-2 might have flattered Blue, but Red faded despite that early promise

Charlie’s continuing journey into the foothills of Walking Football refereeing was rarely tested by two excellent and successful games Purple took on Old Gold in the opening round, a very close affair with plenty of top grade football on show Two goals by Steve Eccles settled the contest despite a consolation from Mike Bates that made the closing minutes a nervous finish 2-1 the final score after a tense ending

Old Gold faced Black in the last game of the session Another terrific performance from both sides, each looking to claim a win after close opening games In a seven goal thriller Black held out to claim the honours by the narrowest margin Goals by McSpeed, Gilmore, John Cott and Haggis edged the game Donal and Roy with two hit back for Old Gold but Black shaded the victory 4-3

Spectators Dave ‘Grazer’ Clark and Jan Moore were welcomed back after extended periods away from the action Signs are that we will see them walking round a pitch near you very soon

The spring in the step evident in Monday’s action continued into Wednesday’s midweek session with a healthy 28 members tearing themselves away from televised football’s soporific bore fest to enjoy the leg stretch on offer at Sutton SoccerDome The gathering included some of the Club’s youngest and most headstrong athletes as well a sprinkling of older heads A firm guiding hand quickly explained that those ignoring the WALKING part of Walking Football were in for a tricky night

Incredibly some members were surprised to learn that ‘not walking’ extended to off the ball just as emphatically as it does as on the ball

But let’s not get ahead of the full story

The teams selected for the night’s two pitches were;

Orange - Doug, Steve Eccles, Sulley, Phil the Power, Kirsty, Simon & Ian Harding

White - Joe the Ghost, Deano, GRAV, Andy Man, Paul Fozz, Helen & JeffBetty

Yellow - Tracey, Neil Stretch, Haggis, Chris 10P, Citeh Geoff & Ian Hilton

Red - Deggsy, PJ, Jason, Eamon, Tom Stretch, Gaz & Chris 4G

Orange played White with a goal each in the opening three minutes, a penalty steered home by Ian Harding following a stray foot in the box by Jeff Betty and instant reply by Deano following a sweeping move from White Play was played mostly in the White half Orange passed with some style Jeff Betty atoned for his indiscretion firing under a Phil the Power White 2-1 ahead

Andy produced some excellent saves for White reading the intended target and moving to divert the shots away Ian Harding struck again to equalise, wrong footing a defender before slotting home 2-2 Orange used a high press to make life difficult for the White rearguard

Simon swooped to put Orange ahead again before Ian Harding added his third and Orange were comfortably on top now at 4-2 holding on to claim victory

In the match on the other pitch Red won 3-2 Deggs, Eamon & Chris 4G for Red Yellow goals courtesy of Chris 10P and Ian Hilton Close game played in great spirit of sportsmanship

White faced Yellow in the final round, which started with a demonstration of ‘how the keeper has to roll the ball out underarm and along the floor Haggis eventually opened the scoring tucking the ball away in some style 1-0 Yellow in front Steve Carine doubled the Yellow advantage 15 minutes from the end, picking up a suicidal loose clearance to advance and fire home 2-0 Yellow firmly in charge Ian Hilton made it 3-0 despite White dominating possession

Lord Rainford, a delayed arrival not dampening his usual enthusiasm, commented that White had wasted chances when on top Yellow more clinical

GRAV hit an excellent shot that Chris 10P parried but was alert to ram home the ball at the edge of the area White claiming a consolation 3-1 the final score

Orange meanwhile defeated Red Ian Harding claiming his second match ball of the night (good luck trying to collect one) with all three Deggs and Eamon in reply for Red

Much was made of the ‘off the ball’ all action style employed by Orange, with no referee available to chastise their wayward ways This ‘getting away with not walking will be targeted by all Refs from here on

In true Roy of the Rovers style Deggs later alleged that he “deftly bent the ball into the far corner of the net, like Florian Wirtz” - except that it hit the target was the obvious comeback “I heard a call by young Gareth Hit It, so I did with me big toe and it flew into the top corner beating Phil all ends up” Derek Taylor back with a bang You’re defence is terrified

A good night’s action to end a fascinating week in SHWFC world

Walking Slow* - Jackson Browne

https://youtu.be/6txdzsefEHU?si=XI1ZoFWRWE_8PPrH