When You’re Hot, You’re Hot*

What a week for SHWFC Monday morning’s Ruskin Sports Village session conquered bitterly cold conditions to witness 44 members strutting their stuff Aiding and abetting were Referees Eamon, Les and Kev who applied the laws in their own particular ways In sharp contrast Wednesday’s Sutton SoccerDome soirée mustered just 24 souls with Referees Jeff Betty and El Presidente in charge With no European football next week (or until the Round of the Last 128) we can only hope for a quick escalation of personnel

Monday’s action was encompassed in an eight a side game played through the session at the Far End with Eamon in the chair plus two seven a side matches with Les and Kev adjacent on Pitches A&B The teams were

Red - John Hill, Cornelius, Chris K, Little John, Haggis, Phil Moss Mark NR and Dave Roberts

Blue - Mark A, Andy Man, Big Tony, Eileen, Lefty Bridge, Steve Harding, Thatto Dave & Monday Michelle

The game was a decent contest, the game level 2-2 at half time, with Blue eventually overcoming Red by 5 goals to 2

Chris K and Mark NR were the Red scorers but goals by Ian Lefty Bridge; with a splendid 4 goal haul plus another by Monday Michelle, saw Blue home An enjoyable game played in great spirit

On Pitch A Old Gold faced Black in the opening game

Teams were;

Old Gold - Beach Boy, Ian Connor, Aldo, El Presidente, Jill Tomo, Cockney Rebel and GRAV

Black - PaulF, Ashy, Mike Bates, Phil the Power, Kirsty, Les H and Donal

Old Gold were organised and business-like from the kick off, moving the ball around in a quick and generally accurate style Black spent most of the game defensively hemmed in their half, relying on long balls to counterattack Tomo found the opening goal Old Gold ahead after a spell of pressure Black relied on the energy of ever willing Donal, but were unable to find a clear chance with El Presidente and Cockney Rebel on top form

A harsh penalty presented Aldo with the opportunity to stretch the lead before he sealed the result with his second and Gold’s third Donal grabbed a consolation but it ended with Old Gold good value for their 3-1 win

Elsewhere camera-shy played Green with Kev back in charge after a week in Southport (WF Refereeing) The teams were well matched and both sides played with great energy and endeavour The game finished 3-2 with Gonzalo a two goal hero but also a ‘not walking’ villain

Purple - Triallist, Mike Thomo, Lord Rainford (Mr Mole in our photo) Chris Gilmore, Tom Stretch, Chopper and Sheila

Green - Enoch, Gonzalo, Wickie, Barry Wizz, Roger, Les Meldrew and Ricky

In his second game Green and Purple served up,a great game that ultimately ended 1-1 after an end to end encounter

“There were two outstanding performances by two of ladies in my two matches, games played in great spirit of sportsmanship”

The morning’s last game pitted Old Gold and Purple with Les Lomax, the man in the middle Another very assured performance by Old (ancient?) Gold with their organisation too much for Purple Aldo profited from great teamwork with another brace whilst Cockney Rebel was also on target for Gold There was a Gilmore consolation on the only walkabout moment of an otherwise faultless defensive performance 3-1 the margin of victory Gold the standard of the morning

The seasonal overkill of European matches plus another sub-zero weather prospect wreaked havoc on Wednesday night attendance once more But those who did make the effort were richly rewarded with two superb matches The Innards included debutant Paul Robinson, recruited from Club’s feeder arrangement with a namesless Billinge pub Now a commercially savvy landlord might view that exposure in this Blog as an advertising opportunity lost - food for thought! We are indebted for the night’s indoor action report to Football Manager Andy Man…

“ Must mention this funny incident from last night's indoor game.

It was Orange v White in a 5 a side classic

At kick off time White lined up for kick off.

Les Meldrew in his Orange bib, stood alongside us.

He then looked at the Orange team and said the immortal words," how come Orange have only got 4. Who's missing?

Bearing in mind he had his Orange bib on, he topped it off by saying,

“Ah it's me, I thought I was in White!!!

As for the action

White - Andy Man Joe the Ghost, Phil the Power, Les Hewitt, Newbie Paul.

Orange - Nigel, Chris 4G, Les B (eventually), Colin the Late, GRAV

The eventual outcome 4-0 to White with goals by Joe the Ghost 3, Les H

A game closer than the score would suggest. 0-0 at half time.

All White's goals were well taken.

Nice to see Nigel back and healthy after some months out of action

Newbie Paul played well, slotted in nicely.

Well reffed by Jeff Betty

Great atmosphere, no contentious incidents.

Very enjoyable”

The night’s outdoor game was a terrific match with both sides contributing to a great contest

The teams were;

Green - Chris 10P, Ian Hilton, Haggis, Gaz, Neil Stretch, Jason and Deano

Yellow - Mike Thomo, PJ, Steve Carine, Mark Dav, Cockney Rebel, Chris Sully and Little John

The game was punctuated with plenty of top quality goals with Yellow possibly a little more clinical and efficient in front of goal Steve Carine got things moving with a fine first goal for Yellow Yellow one up Green hadn’t even touched the ball at this point

Jason levelled a little against the run of possession and Ian Hilton put Green 2-1 ahead to stun Yellow Then a succession of goals by Pj, Thomo, Sully and Thomo catapulted Yellow 6-2 in front and cruising Deano restored some semblance of parity before Mark Dav hit the Yellow 7th Ian Hilton another Green goal to conclude the night’s scoring Yellow on top 7-4 in a engaging match that was a credit to all involved

We offer a photo of our England Ladies World Cup winner Jill Tomo Thomas with her England team mates having been presented with a special ‘cap’ to mark their achievement Congratulations again to Jill

Kudos

When You’re Hot, You’re Hot* - Jerry Reed (old-time Country star with 1971 hit single and album)