Oranges 0-2 Yellows – 2/9/20

 

Back, for the final time this summer,  at their Summer venue (Sharpham Road, Cheddar), the young bucks of Cheddar Walking Football Club provided arguably their best display of football, with Paul Randall making a return and Shaun Palfrey joining the group for his debut.

 

The teams lined up with “Jocks Yellow’s” soon having a extra player in their favour, as Keith Hoper arrived a little later, although the player advantage did not last long as Martyn Harrill, showing great skill as ever, suddenly pulled up with a calf injury that stopped any further participation from “the bearded wonder”!!

 

The first half was a high quality battle of attrition as both teams defended superbly, having been treated to a pre game defensive coaching session by Tim Richens, which both teams had listened to as they both kept clean sheets. 

New boy Palfrey and the returning Randall both impressed but the star of the opening period was Paul Rodgers who even scored a superb volley only to see it ruled out as he was marginally inside the area!

 

As stated, the opening half was a battle of attrition as both teams stormed forward, the dynamic Clive Vaughan, Steve Gooding and Tim Youngberg, as always full of energy.  and Steve Grant was also a goalscoring threat throughout, but were kept out by superb defending from Palfrey, Chris King and also Neville Hiscox on the flank! Added to this was the “unbeatable” keeper, Bob “Cat” Bunn.

When the yellows did threaten themselves they found Rob Sheldon dominating the back line and organising superbly! Andy Wright was also everywhere making life difficult for the yellow team, and therefore earning his post match pint!

These two had to be on their guard as Ben Chick constantly attacked, and created problems, in the wide areas, his ability shining throughout! Another player who impressed was Chris King, not only steely in defence, but prompting many attacks! As in defence he was given great wide options, not only by Chick, but also Neville Hiscox.

 

In the second period rewards was forthcoming for Rodgers as he got the goal that his efforts deserved when he volleyed home past a helpless Batt, unbeaten until this point, in the Oranges goal!

There were chances for both teams but neither side could add to the score. A lot of this was down to the superb keeping of Colin Batt and Bobby Bunn.

The game was settled late on when the regular goal machine, “super” Keith Hooper, scored his weekly goal to give a comfortable look to the result, which was far from the case as this was a tight, but high quality, affair well referred, and coached, by Tim Richens - who missed the chance of playing in order to help keep the players safe!

 

After an hour the players shook hands (well, Covid style elbow bumps!) and retired to the Cider Barn, home of the team’s sponsors, for a technical and tactical discussion and a couple of well earned pints!

 

Amongst the discussion items were the declining of the team to sign Lionel Messi and the upcoming friendlies at Bristol Rovers and Leyton Orient later in September!!

 

The group is back at their Kings Leisure Centre “base” next Week, why not come along and give it a go!

 

Teams 

Oranges - Colin Batt, Andy Wright, Rob Sheldon, Steve Gooding, Clive Vaughan,  Tim Youngberg, Steve Grant, Paul Randall

 

Yellows - Bob Bunn, Shaun Palfrey, Neville Hiscox, Paul Rodgers (1), Martyn Harrill, Steve Henderson, Chris King, Keith Hooper (1), Ben Chick

 

Ref: T Richens