Oranges 0

Bob Bunn, Colin Batt, Jerry King, Shaun Palfrey, Chris Underhill, Kev Attwood, Steve Henderson, Paul Rodgers, Paul Randall, Robin Boyd

 

Yellows 1

Chris King, Tim Richens, Ben Chick, Ben Attwood, Toby Attwood (1), Russell Young, Clive Vaughan, Steve Grant, Keith Hooper, Tim Youngberg, Tony Scott

 

For the first time ever a low scoring game at the “Theatre of Nightmares” as the Yellows, captained by Chris King, narrowly defeated the more experienced and, on paper, far more talented, team of the Oranges who were captained on the evening by Bob Bunn

 

Bunn, and his cronies, thought they had pulled the wool over the eyes of the Yellows by recruiting all of the “superstars” of the group, and Jock!

But the truth was the Yellow team had youth and pace on their side, although running was not allowed as there was a very strict referee in charge - Merv Brean, of Winscombe fame!

Brean was a great influence on the nights proceedings with running at a minimum (despite the protests of the eldest Attwood, Kev, who was probably just frustrated because his sons were outplaying him!!) and minimal contact enforced!  

The only blot on the copybook of the wily old referee was when he missed a “Maradona like” handball by Clive Vaughan, although in fairness to the referee this was only seen (and commented upon on numerous occasions) by Paul Rodgers!

Later in the evening Vaughan was seen, by a reporter, to be buying a pint at the pub for Brean, so there may be something in this claim, that Rodgers continually made!!

 

Back to the game, and despite a lot of great possession by the Orange's team they were never really able to break down the superb defence of the yellows, where Tim Richens was simply outstanding, and when, on the two occasions, they did get through they met with fantastic goal keeping from the lively and vocal goalkeeper for the Yellows - Chris “Chatto” King - who made one worldie save in particular from the left foot of Chris Underhill.

 

Although the Oranges were dominating possession, with Jerry King at the heart of most of the good things, there was always the threat from the Yellows, especially as they were more mobile with Young, Vaughan, and the two Attwood boys always breaking up play and counterattacking. Youngberg was also a reassuring presence for the Yellows linking the midfield and the defence to tremendous effect.

 

As well as the lively and energetic midfield that the Yellows had they also had the goal threat of Keith Hooper and Tony Scott, however they were often met with some strong resistance defensively by not only Bunn in the goal, but Colin “Wobble” who was energetic at the back.

However, the second half did see the unsavoury side of Batt’s defending as he put in a crunching, bad foul, on his rival and adversary on the yellows team - Russell young!

Young was still suffering with this into the evening, and it was only several pints that managed to dull the pain later in the evening!

All of our best wishes go to Sprout for a full recovery!

 

The pattern of the game was set, and carried on into the second half, when the skilful Steve “get back Granty” Grant arrived to add to the numbers for the younger Yellow side.

However, it did look like the game was going to end in a somewhat unbelievable 0-0, when Toby Atwood earned himself a “ride in Jock's fire engine” by scoring with a stunning strike which even Bob Bunn could not get to!!

 

Despite a few more chances and scares – and there is always a threat when Randall and Henderson are in attack, though Richens and King made them look more like Randall & Hopkirk (for the older readers!!) -  there were no more goals and the hard-fought game was won by the closest margin by the yellows and then they team settled down to, socially distantly, visit their sponsors for a few pre-Christmas drinks, and a few yarns together and to check that the injury inflicted upon Sprout, by the “man of Kent” (we think that’s what he was called!) Colin Batt was not too serious!!

 

The group will be burning off some of those excess calories from Christmas on Tuesday this week, at Kings Leisure, as normal, but will be kicking off at 4:30 due to the centre being closed later and all are welcome to join us!!