Sunday,
March 5th 2017 : Strange old session down at the Leisure
Centre tonight with only ten Vets on show. The first game was a
tight affair played out like a chess game with both teams
stringing together passes like Guardiola's City side. Goals from
Rick Evans in particular keeping Mary's in touch with the Young
Guns who had Dave Brown and Rick Westwood firing on all
cylinders. Johnboy and Zsu Zsu Mastin were defending like good 'uns
equally matched by Anthony Graham and Rick Pott. At 9-9 it could
have gone anyway but when super striker Rick Evans got sight of
the goal he fired in an unstoppable volley into the bottom
corner to win it for Mary's Moaners. In the second game the
Young Guns found that extra bit of zip and fired up by their
10-9 reverse they let rip into their opponents winning in a
canter 10-2. This led to a bit of unrest in Mary's ranks and
words were exchanged to the effect that this was no fun in spite
of winning the previous game. The final game was a replica of
the first but at 8-8 we elected for the golden goal. Up stepped
young Rick Westwood who duly smacked in the winner for the Young
Guns to end what I thought was a really good evenings footy.
Now then for the bad news, You remember Paul Smith who played 5
a side for a while - social worker- always wanted to arrive at
5.45 not 5.30 and struggled a bit to fit in. Nigel
Caldwell bumped into him in Christies this week - he looks a lot
thinner and has been diagnosed with Oesophagus cancer which has
spread to his hips and shoulders apparently, and is going
through chemotherapy. He is only 50 and has a son of 7 years
old. I'm sure all the lads wish him well and fingers crossed in
his fight for recovery.
Better news for Nigel who tells me he is more or less over the
knee ligament damage and hopes to return to footie soon. That's
what we like to hear. |
Mary's Moaners
John Goodwin
Paul Garner
Keith Mastin
Rick Evans
Graham Levine
Young Guns
Anthony Graham
Rick Pott
Rick Westwood
Malc Hough
Dave Brown
|
Sunday,
March 12th 2017 : A welcome return this evening for Chris
Todd , sporting a knee brace but moving freely. His team the
Stollers set the standard this week . Un beaten in their first
seven games notching up five wins and two draws. Chris Anthony
having a blinder, scoring,
defending
and play making. Boom boys Rick Evans and Graham Levine lived up
to their reputations firing home from long range. Ade Hewitt,
timed some fantastic runs to be in the right place at the right
time to bag a hat full of goals. Chris Todd was the glue that
held the Strollers together, difficult to beat as keeper and
deadly in front of goal. The Young Guns had a mixed night Dan
Bailey the star of their team with some fabulous finishes. Rick
Westwood and Anthony Graham were nursing hang overs but still
showed quality. Rick Pott seems to be coming back to form, Knee
strapped but helped himself to some cracking goals. Dave Brown
fitted into the Guns seamlessly his old head tidying up in
defence and setting up attacks.
This week’s whipping boys were the Moaners. It took the last
kick of their 5th game for Chris Podmore to register their first
goal. All five players were simply awful. They did however
eventually beat both the Strollers and The Young Guns but not
till the later stages of the night. An evening to forget for our
five Sunday Regulars. So a rare Team of the Week award for the
Stollers just about pipping the Young Guns .
Many thanks to our guest reporter for another top report.
Sorry I missed this week, my grandaughters birthday in Poulton
Le Fylde. Next week it's Liverpool at the Etihad so I'm afraid
Chris Anthony and myself will be missing but it's all in a good
cause. |
Mary's
Moaners
Keith Mastin
John Goodwin
Chris Podmore
Ronnie Dooley
Paul Garner
The
Young Guns
Anthony Graham
Rick Pott
Rick Westwood
Dan Bailey
Dave Brown
The
Strollers
Chris Anthony
Chris Todd
Ade Hewitt
Graham Levine
Rick Evans
|
Sunday,
March 19th 2017 :A Dirty Dozen of Vets were on show this
evening for a full on none stop session of 6 a side. The Young
Guns looked formidable and started in their usual fashion
scoring 5 without reply as the Moaners waited for the blood to
reach their aging limbs. Rick Westwood smashed in the first,
with Rick Evans and Anthony Graham whacking in two more. Dan
Bailey slotted in number four, then Ade Hewitt turning on a six
pence banged in the fifth. The Moaners did have shots on target
but, Dave Browns goal keeping kept the Guns sheet clean.
After a fine run and one two with Paulo, Ronny Dooley crashed in
the Moaners first, shortly followed up by his second in similar
fashion. The game then opened up though the momentum was always
with the Young Guns. Chris Todd and Chris Podmore scored
consolations for the Moaners, but the Young Guns took the first
game at a canter 10-6.
The return leg was one of the longest and toughest games we have
had for a while on a Sunday. No quarter asked or given. The
Moaners closed down the opposition at every stage. Chris Todd
awesome in defence and Keith Mastin found room to score a couple
of fine goals. Chris Podmore started things off then Ronny
Dooley and Paulo each snatched a couple of hard earned net
busters. Rick Evans let fly some boomers to keep the Guns in
touch. Dan Bailey and Rick Westwood both got on the end of some
superb moves created by Anthony Graham.
John Goodwin registered his first of the night after suffering
some rough treatment for most of the evening. Blocks and
interceptions by Anthony Graham and Dave Brown had the match
locked for Twenty Minutes at 8-5 in favour of the Moaners. The
pressure and effort put in by all players couldn’t break the
dead lock. Ade Hewitt found himself with room to sneak in
another for the Guns and it looked like the comeback was on.
A Herculean effort by the Moaners allowed Ronny Dooley to grab
the penultimate goal. Shortly followed by a text book on the
turn winner from Jonny boy Goodwin. Final score Moaners 10 Young
Guns 7.
The lactic acid was in short supply for the final rubber. All
the effort of the second game left the Moaners gasping like
blown horses on jelly legs. Keith Mastin had the last word
before the final whistle with a nice side footer. Just a pity
his team were already Seven goals behind by then.
A few of the lads will be missing next week so we will need as
many vets as possible to turn out …….“.City Boys, lets be having
you !!
Superb report from our guest reporter. Hopefully all the Blue
boys will be on parade next week. I'm hitting the Gym big style
this week so hoping for an improvement in my ongoing condition -
rock on... |
Mary's
Moaners
Keith Mastin
John Goodwin
Chris Podmore
Ronnie Dooley
Paul Garner
Chris Todd
The
Young Guns
Anthony Graham
Rick Evans
Rick Westwood
Dan Bailey
Dave Brown
Ade Hewitt
|
Sunday,
March 26th 2017 : Down on numbers this evening as only eight
of the boys dragged themselves away from the Mothers Day
Celebrations and in Chris Anthony's case the England game.
We
did however end up with a really good ninety minutes of fast
action and raw effort. The Strollers kicked off with a cracking
pace to run Mary's Moaners ragged with The two Ricks and Graham
Levine doing the main damage as I consigned myself to probing
passes from the back. Cruising to a 10-7 win we set about the
second game in a similar vein. This time we all joined in on the
scoring act whist Mary's were playing a bit part with Ade Hewitt
notching the odd goal or two, this time ending up 10-4. By then
Rick Pott had appeared and slotted into the Mary's team making
the final piece of an aging jigsaw. However their fortunes
change with the extra man stretching The Strollers to the limit.
The score was nip and tuck until 9-9 Ade Johnboy popped up at
the far post and calmly slotted home the winner. The come back
was inevitable as The Strollers valiantly strained every sinew
to stay in the contest bravely hanging on at 8-8 but the Moaners
weren't going to be robbed of their moment of honour and goals
from Johnboy and Podders sealed the win. The game then petered
out as both teams were running on empty and with Mary's leading
in the last rubber we called time on an otherwise superb
session.
Next week we should be back to full strength and no doubt we'll
pull another crack session out of the bag. |
Mary's
Moaners
Keith Mastin
John Goodwin
Chris Podmore
Ade Hewitt
Rick Pott
The
Strollers
Rick Evans
Rick Westwood
Graham Levine
Malc Hough
|
Sunday,
April 2nd 2017 : The lads arrived in drib and drabs tonight
eventually attaining fourteen in numbers and set about providing
us with a super session on this sunny spring day. Mary's Moaners
were tonight's top team going unbeaten in all but one of their
games, that one being to the
Young
Guns who had Dan "The Man" Bailey firing on all cylinders.
Mary's though were in splendid form having Paulo Garner and
Ronnie Dooley in superb trim tackling and passing like Dutch
Masters. Johnboy Goodwin weighed in with some important goals
although he showed a complete lack of moaning, maybe due to the
fact that his team were playing with some style and coping with
their younger opponents. Anthony Graham
held the Young Guns together and fired in a couple of
spectacular strikes, one that whizzed past me like an Exoset
Missile into the far corner off the post and crossbar. Rick
Westwood moved around like a Strictly Come Dancer and popped in
more than a few sizzlers on the way while Pottie did his stint
in defence. As for my Strollers we did OK without setting the
games on fire, we didn't manage a win but a few draws were well
earned at the end of the day. Graham Levine ploughed a lone
furrow in search of goals with mixed results. Chris Todd, Dave
Brown and myself all managed to find the target although Gavin
Kent couldn't get the ball past the keepers to save his life
although they always managed to get a late touch on his goal
bound efforts. Anyway the night belonged to Mary's Moaners who
to their credit yet again turned out a full compliment of their
squad - well done fella's and two Pensioners in their line up,
can't be bad.
Next Sunday should see a full compliment of the City boys with
Hull visiting the Etihad on Saturday for a traditional 3:00 kick
off for a change. |
Mary's
Moaners
Keith Mastin
John Goodwin
Chris Podmore
Ronnie Dooley
Paul Garner
The
Young Guns
Anthony Graham
Rick Pott
Rick Westwood
Dan Bailey
The
Strollers
Malc Hough
Chris Todd
Dave Brown
Graham Levine
Gavin Kent
|
Sunday,
April 9th 2017 : Fourteen of the boys rocked up at the
Leisure Centre tonight for what turned out to be a very mediocre
session of five a side. Now mediocrity is a somewhat
specialist
subject for Mary's Moaners so it came as no surprise that the
revelled in it this evening. Only losing a couple of games but
drawing a good few was the sum of their success but to be fair
you can only beat what is put in front of you and the bar was
set pretty low on that front. Anthony Graham must have regretted
that fag he sparked up in his car before tonight's proceedings
as he was charged with being the main runner in his team, The
Young Gun. He was definitely showing signs of distress at the
end of ninety minutes after carrying myself and the tanned Chris
Anthony who it seemed was still on the beach in Cyprus where he
has meen for the last two weeks. Gavin Kent managed to get on
the score sheet and made a nuisance of himself in defence twice
hauling down Johnboy. Rick Potts main contribution was to get a
full blooded drive in the nether regions which had him seeing
stars for the best part of two games. The Strollers had mixed
misfortunes but Zsu Zsu Mastin looked the part notching a fine
double in one game to add to the couple he scored in others.
Dave Brown put himself about recycling the ball to good effect
well supported by Chris Todd and Graham Levine, the latter
handicapped by a pulled muscle in his ankle - a trip to Tenerife
next week should soon put that right. As for Mary's - Chris
Podmore was on fire, ripping in the goals and tearing round the
pitch like roadrunner, Paulo Garner nearly broke all the fingers
on the hand I somehow got to the ball as he fired in an
unstoppable shot from 10yards. Johnboy put himself on the score
sheet a number of times and Ronnie Dooley stonked in a few. Yet
again, a full squad for the Moaners.
Good Friday this week brings on Easter weekend and I'm
afraid our management ie. Zsu Zsu Mastin mis-informed us that
football would take place as normal this weekend. Sadly that was
wrong
NO FOOTBALL ON EASTER
WEEKEND LEISURE CENTRE CLOSED - Football back on
23rd April |
Mary's
Moaners
John Goodwin
Chris Podmore
Ronnie Dooley
Paul Garner
The
Young Gun
Anthony Graham
Rick Pott
Malc Hough
Gavin Kent
Chris Anthony
The
Strollers
Keith Mastin
Chris Todd
Dave Brown
Graham Levine
|
Sunday,
April 16th 2017 :An expected low turnout tonight ,with the
City Boys cheering on their team against The Arsenal at Wembley
. (Enough said about that the better.) Only 8 vets showed enough
indifference to wander down to the leisure centre in search of
their own Cup glory. The return of the “Wooden Tops” our stand
in Goalkeepers added to the usual frustration. Both Bill and Ben
giving heroic solid oak performances. As for the rest of the
vets it was a walk in the park for the Guns and a hard uphill
struggle for the Moaners. Every player got a goal or two and
every player was embarrassed by the up rights, cross bar or a
rebound off the bench.
Those returning next week will notice the shiny new playing
surface offers up some peculiar bounces and a fare old spin to
the football. For the record the Guns won two out of the three
matches , video analysis may prove they sportingly threw the
last first to Five match in favour of the out of breath Moaners.
Thanks to the guest writer for this shorter than usual report
due to the missing Blues. This particular Blue had a cracking
day at Wembley only spoilt by the result. Stuck on the M1 on the
way home for an hour in standing traffic - the joys of
motoring!! |
Mary's
Moaners
John Goodwin
Ronnie Dooley
Paul Garner
Keith Mastin
The
Guns
Anthony Graham
Rick Pott
Dave Brown
Rick Westwood
|
Sunday,
April 30th 2017 : With fourteen vets turning out for the
weekly bash we were treated to another ripping session of five a
side footy. The floor was glistening after the treatment a
couple of weeks ago and this lent itself to supporting a more
skilful style of quality football.
This brought to the fore The Strollers who revelled in the
opportunity to display their neat passing game and deadly
striking from all angles. Graham Levine, Ade Hewitt and Rick
Evans were the main instigators as they ripped into the
opposition while Chris Todd patrolled the midfield relentlessly.
I had the goal keeping down to Claudio Bravo level all of which
added up to making the Strollers team of the week losing only
two games. Not too far behind were Mary's Moaners losing three
with Chris Podmore heading the goal-scoring for them well
supported by Paulo, Ronnie and surprisingly Zsu Zsu Mastin.
Podders had a birthday last week and at 35 actually became a
true vet in the process. As for the Young Guns, they were led by
their hung over skipper Anthony Graham who looked as rough as a
bears arse however, he did turn up and credit to the lad,
completed the session before dragging himself off for a post
game fag. Dave Brown put himself about and Rick was his usual
bag of tricks also, Pottie bravely played on through the pain
barrier with his dodgy knee, I often saw him limping.
No Zsu Zsu and Rocket Ronnie next week so we need all the
support we can get so get your arses in gear and drag yourselves
down to the Leisure Centre for 5:15 |
Mary's
Moaners
John Goodwin
Chris Podmore
Ronnie Dooley
Paul Garner
Keith Mastin
The
Young Gun
Anthony Graham
Rick Pott
Dave Brown
Rich Westwood
The
Strollers
Malc Hough
Chris Todd
Ade Hewitt
Graham Levine
Rick Evans
|
Sunday,
May 7th 2017 : Nearly didn't have a session tonight but
after the six guys who showed up had a quick conflab and we
decided upon a three a side, two touch contest with the benches
making an unwelcome reappearance. This turned out to be a really
enjoyable if lung busting contest. The two Ricks and Gavin made
up the Shifters and myself, Podders and Anthony were aptly named
the Krankies. In the first game the Shifters ran out 10-6
winners with Rick Pott playing a starring role hitting eight out
of the ten goals scored some of which were hit with the accuracy
of a elite sniper. He sent in chips, rebounds off the wall,
ricochets off his knee, the odd toe bunger added
to
splendid volleys. The Krankies had no answer to this other than
a superb own goal from Rick Evans. The second game saw the
Krankies reap revenge with a brace from myself and four from
each of Anthony Grahams and Podders to wrap up the games at 1-1.
After an hour of intense play we opted for a first to five
decider which turned into a nail biter. Two goals from Rick
Evans put the Shifters in the driving seat but another brace
from my quick feet levelled things up. Then Gavin Kent who up to
this point had run himself silly, delicately chipped one in to
lead 3-2. A miss hit pass from my now not so quick feet, was
gobbled up by Rick Evans who gratefully dispatched it into the
net 4-2. The Krankies were down but not yet out and after
Anthony Graham had ripped one into the corner, Podders duly
fired in the equaliser 4-4. It was going to be a Golden Goal
shootout or it should have been however, Rick Evans did a sneaky
three touch manoeuvre to send Gavin galloping down the pitch who
slipped to to Rick Pott and WHAM - it was all over! It was to
become the night Pottie came good but in the end football was
the only winner although three a side was bloody hard!
I'm off to sunny Spain for a week or so of recuperation and
intense training so please turn up in your numbers and enjoy the
fact that you can still enjoy playing the game we all love - six
a side just isn't good enough! |
The Shifters
Rick Pott
Gavin Kent
Rick Evans
The
Krankies
Malc Hough
Chris Podmore
Anthony Graham
|
Sunday,
May 14th 2017 : Twice as many vets as last week turned out
tonight . Really good to see Nigel Caldwell return after injury.
With no founding fathers on show both Keith Mastin and Malc
Hough taking a break. John Goodwin took charge as the elder
statesman. The teams were selected and we were off. It was clear
from the start Young Guns Rick Westwood and Anthony Graham were
in the mood , lashing in five goals between them with only Chris
Podmore's wonder strike in response for the Moaners. Dave Brown
and John Goodwin started the comeback with some fine strikes but
Rick Evans added another for the Guns along with Rick Pott ,
Gavin Kent and Nigel Caldwell. The Moaners briefly rallied Ade
Hewitt slotting home a cool side footer and Chris Podmore
completed a hard earned hat trick. The inevitable winner was
fired home by Nigel Caldwell, first blood to the Young Guns 10
-7 .
The next Match was one of the shortest I can remember , Rick
Westwood single handily took the opposition apart, that after
the Moaners had took a two nil lead through Dave Brown and Chris
Todd. Every strike Mr Westwood had , flew into the goal. He even
sportingly offered to play keeper to give the Moaners a chance.
Eight of the Ten goals were smashed home by Rick, either side of
an unstoppable Rick Pott thunderbolt and an Anthony Graham solo.
Final score 10 -2 .
Demoralised the Moaners changed ends and prepared for the final
rubber. The team produced their best work in this final game
drawing level on many occasions. Paulo , pressed higher up the
pitch and was rewarded with a couple of goals. Chris Podmore and
Ade Hewitt also re found their scoring touch. For the Guns Rick
Westwood now turned provider setting up Gavin Kent to volley one
home from close range . Then slotting a ball to Nigel Caldwell
to hammer into the net. In the final moments rampaging Rick
Westwood was finally brought down to earth trapped in the
uncomfortable jaws of a Goodwin and Paulo sandwich. All in good
fun with no harm done. The relief when quarter to seven came was
evident on all the Moaners faces still chasing the game 8-6.
Handshakes and smiles at the end …… let’s hope we are back to
the regular three teams next week. |
Mary's
Moaners
John Goodwin
Chris Podmore
Ade Hewitt
Paul Garner
Chris Todd
Dave Brown
The
Youngish Guns
Anthony Graham
Rick Pott
Rick Evans
Rich Westwood
Gavin Kent
Nigel Caldwell
|
Sunday,
May 21st 2017 : Back from my holiday in Spain after yet
another birthday, now 71 years young, I was bang up for another
5 a side session at Hyde Bank Road. Eleven of the guys managed
to drag themselves away from the Premier Leagues final day of
the season in which my beloved Man City grabbed the third
Champions League slot and Liverpool the forth. Because we had
Eleven players on duty we elected to play six verses five with
Mary's Moaners getting the
bonus of the extra man. The games started off at a tremendous
pace with the Youngish Guns passing the ball around Guardiola
style and taking the early advantage. Cameron Shaw was
inspirational in the Guns side with his great dribbling skills
and accurate finishing. Anthony Graham and Rick Westwood worked
themselves silly supporting Cameron with Nigel Caldwell
defending like the Chelsea Bus. The game ebbed and flowed with
Mary's always playing catch up until a controversial over head
height shot was parried by myself back into Rick Evans path. As
I waited for Zsu Zsu Mastin to call the decision only to ignore
it and Rick duly dispatched the ball into the net. This levelled
the game at 8-8. A goal apiece and we were in a golden goal
situation. Cometh the hour and cometh the killer blow and it was
the trusty foot of Rick Evans as he lashed the ball past me in
nets for a 10-9 win to the Moaners. The second game was played
exactly like the first, aggressive slick footy played by both
teams and as the first it ended in a golden goal situation with
Evans Above ripping in the winner. Overall performances all over
the pitch with Paulo and Ronnie both showing well - Chris Todd
rasping in a couple of belters and a top showing from Gavin Kent
with some fine passing and more than a few exceptional good
goals.
So, no more Premier football but the five a side carries on
and one moment to remember was in the final short game, I came
out of the nets and managed to slot the ball into Mary's net - a
goal at 71 years old has yet again raised the bar - if I can do
it, anyone can. |
Mary's
Moaners
Rick Evans
Gavin Kent
Paul Garner
Chris Todd
Keith Mastin
Ronnie Dooley
The
Youngish Guns
Anthony Graham
Rich Westwood
Cameron Shaw
Malc Hough
Nigel Caldwell |
Sunday,
May 28th 2017 : Only Ten of the chaps rocked up for the 5 a
side tonight but they made a great fist of it in three
incredibly close encounters. In the first game The Youngish Guns
took the lead early doors when Cameron Shaw showed great skill
and speed in finding the opposition net with consummate ease.
However as the game progressed Paulo and Ronnie Dooley got to
grips with
the young master and began to impose themselves on the game.
Chris Podmore managed to hit the net and draw the Moaners level
but with Anthony Graham and Chris Todd bossing midfield and
supplying the ammunition to young Cameron the lead was again
stretched. Mary's are no slouches when it comes to fighting back
though and when Zsu Zsu Mastin began to get forward he punished
the young guns with a fine hat trick of splendid goals although
one penalty decision was quite contentious. The Youngish Guns
stepped up a gear and When Rick Pott hammers one in you know
about it, not content with that he lashed in another and before
you knew it we were at 9-8. Cameron then stepped up with the
winner to settle a storming game. The second game followed a
similar pattern to the first with the Youngish Guns just keeping
the noses ahead. I was spending more time than usual playing out
and managed to hit a few goals myself but I was definitely
feeling the pace. Now I have to say at this point that I
probably should remember that I possibly shouldn't risk the old
ticker but I must admit I'm not afraid of death, I just don't
want to be there when it happens. Anyway Cameron managed to bang
in the winner again this time to make the score 10-9. Mary's
then set about getting a grip on the third game racing into a
4-1 lead with some excellent strikes from the Old Cockney Hippie
and Scotland's answer to the toe bunger, Ronnie the Rocket.
Again Rick and myself both weighed in with stylish goals but
Mary's were just that bit sharper and ran out 10-6 winners.
Surprising stat - Johnboy Goodwin failed to hit the net all
night but was hampered by a muscle injury which may keep him out
for a week or two which is a shame - get back soon Johnboy, you
are "the man" who puts the moan into Moaners. |
Mary's
Moaners
John Goodwin
Paul Garner
Chris Todd
Keith Mastin
Ronnie Dooley
The
Youngish Guns
Anthony Graham
Chris Todd
Cameron Shaw
Malc Hough
Rick Pott
|
Sunday,
June 4th 2017 : Summer Holidays hit the Vets for six tonight
as just that number of us gathered to contest the latest 5 a
side session. The results were unimportant tonight as we changed
the teams around in a two touch session but performances were
the order of the night so here goes. Rick Westwood was feeling
off colour but his running and tackling had to be admired along
with his lethal
finishing. Graham Levine was again carrying a heel injury but he
put in a good showing with plenty of running and some aggressive
finishing. Paul Garner, Franz Beckenbauer type sweeping, passing
like Ray Wilkins (mainly sideways) with a sprinkling of goals
thrown in. Chris Anthony introduced us to walking football
tonight, mainly on the spot, mostly due to lack of action (last
game April 9th). However, after switching teams he bagged a shed
load of finely struck goals (from a standing position). As for
myself, I did OK considering it was three a side, thankfully was
well covered by Graham and Rick's running when they were in my
team. Still managed to bag my share of goals. Finally Keith "Zsu
Zsu" Mastin - I'm not known for heaping shed loads of praise on
to the old Cockney Hippie but to be honest I have nothing but
praise for the old boy. Two years my junior but twice as fit, he
puts himself about like a good 'un and to his credit always
seems to find a decent pass for his team mates - links
particularly well with Paulo. Also he does a bloody great job
running the sessions finances without getting the praise he
deserves. He did resort to toe bungin' tonight though, maybe the
two touch put him in panic mode. Star of the show without doubt
though were the benches in goal - these impressive obstacles
were the bane of our lives stopping countless goal bound efforts
although Rick Westwood seemed to have them well beaten.
Next week we need more bodies so get yourselves down to the
Leisure Centre - if you expect to have a session to turn up to,
support it, you know it makes sense! |
Players
Keith Mastin
Malc Hough
Graham Levine
Rick Westwood
Paul Garner
Chris Anthony
|
Sunday,
June 11th 2017 : Big improvement on last weeks turnout as
ten vets made a show for this weeks round of 5 a side. The first
game went to Mary's Moaners in a tense 10-7 win in which Cameron
Shaw was outstanding. Zsu Zsu Mastin our Chirpy Cockney Hippie
leader cunningly decided to strengthen his ailing Moaners side
with the Youngish Guns star attribute much to Paulo's relief.
This actually made for a very even contest and provided us with
some exciting games. Graham Levine nursing his heel injury
joined the Youngish Guns and put in a fine 90 minutes knocking
in some important goals and on one occasion made an impressive
double save in nets to thwart young Cameron in some style.
Ronnie Dooley inspired by Scotland's less than impressive draw
against the "Auld Enemy" the previous evening was in fine form
knocking in goals and generally foiling the Guns playmakers. In
the second game
The
Guns came into their own with flowing moves orchestrated by
Anthony Graham and finished by the dashing Rick Westwood. Gavin
Kent was having a blinder, probably his best game to date,
netting and tackling like a good 'un. I weighed in with a few
goals myself tonight, my games outfield are getting more
frequent thank goodness. Winning that game 10-06 the decider was
setting up to be a belter and we weren't disappointed. Nigel got
himself on the score-sheet to add to the solid defensive shift
he always puts in, you can't help but admire Nigel after all the
surgery he has been put through, hats off to one of the nicest
guys ever to play for the vets. The game ebbed and flowed with
Cameron smacking in some real quality goals from distance, one
from his own half. Graham Levine and Gavin Kent weren't going to
be out done by the Young pretender and fired in a volley of
their own. With Zsu Zsu spending more and more time in nets
desperately holding back the tide against the marauding
Guns we arrived at 9-9 and a Golden Goal situation. Up stepped
Paulo Garner to feed Ronnie Dooley the Scottish Express to fire
in a superb winner and with it the Honours to Mary's Moaners.
Another night's fine football by the boys and hopefully next
week we'll see the return of a few more regulars and have more
of the same. |
Mary's
Moaners
Paul Garner
Keith Mastin
Ronnie Dooley
Cameron Shaw
Nigel Caldwell
The
Youngish Guns
Anthony Graham
Rick Westwood
Gavin Kent
Malc Hough
Graham Levine
|
Sunday,
June 18th 2017 : The hottest day of the year today but 12
of the guys sauntered into the Leisure Centre to give the five a
side a crack. Fathers Day didn't seem to effect the turnout so
we set off with two six a side teams. Zsu Zsu Mastin did a
tactical swap with Gavin Kent and Nigel swapping sides from last
week but this had an adverse effect as Nigel popped up with a
couple a decent goals against the Moaners and Gavin failed to
hit the mark. In a game of three halves the Youngish Guns were to
be victorious in all three winning 10-8 : 10-7 and 10-5 although
the first two were more than a little close. Cameron weighed in
with a few crackers but it was Pottie who stole the show
whacking in two game winners and a good few more. Ronnie Dooley
worked his Scottish socks off and even wellied one or two into
the net as did Podders but in the end Anthony Graham and Rick
Westwood out did them both. Graham Levine again did well to play
on with his heel injury sharing goalkeeping duties with me while
Johnboy mumbled and grumbled his way through the ninety minutes
to add that missing touch to Mary's Moaners. Next week hopefully
we'll see the return of Paulo to strengthen the Moaners whilst
Zsu Zsu Mastin will be missing at his daughters wedding which
will strengthen the Moaners even more. |
Mary's
Moaners
Chris Podmore
Keith Mastin
Ronnie Dooley
Cameron Shaw
Gavin Kent
John Goodwin
The
Youngish Guns
Anthony Graham
Rick Westwood
Rick Pott
Malc Hough
Graham Levine
Nigel Caldwell
|