Cheddar walking football match report - 6/10/20

Oranges 2-1 Blacks

A game of two halves, in fairness a close, high quality game but the switching of Ben Chick at the break from the Blacks to the Oranges was the crucial difference in this close match.

 

A pulsating game was seen at the Kings Astro this week as a couple of new players were on display and a great, but close, game was had, although the key difference being the extra player (who happened to be Ben Chick) on either side of the break was vital.

 

Playing the first half with numerical advantage the Black team made it pay, although some outstanding defending by the Oranges, led by Chris Underhill and Tim Richens at the back, but well supported by Chris King in goal meant that chances were hard to come by for the Black team, despite having  much more of the ball. 

With an extra player though, the Black team took advantage, especially as one of the Orange players, Tim Richens, had left the pitch to retrieve a lost ball and, in a sneaky move, Robin Boyd capped a great personal performance with a goal that squirmed under the body of Chris King. 

Although the goal itself was somewhat underhand, it was probably deserved as it rewarded the excellence in the middle of the pitch of Tim Youngberg and Clive Vaughan, and to be fair, Keith Hooper (missing his strike partner, Paul Randall) and Danny Ward, not showing his age at all, created lots of threat, Ward also linking well with Jerry King!

There were no further goals in the first half, despite much good play all round by the players on display and just before a well earned break the score was one nil to the Oranges.

 

The second half saw Ben Chick change sides and it was no surprise that the Orange team then took a big possession advantage, although they had lost Chris Underhill, with a leg injury, and this forced the experience defender into goal, allowing Chris King to come out on display his football and talents, having already showed his goalkeeping talents!

They also saw Andy Wright, Paul Rodgers and Russell Young take command of the midfield with all three having strong games!

 

In the second half the Black team also moved Colin Batt into goal but he was soon beaten by a superb thunderbolt by Keven Attwood to make the scores level and somewhat fittingly, it was Attwood, the outstanding player on the night, who scored the game’s only remaining goal when he shot home to give the Orange team a well deserved 2-1 victory.

 

All players in attendance, having gone through the usual fist pumps and elbow bumps, agreed that it was probably the highest quality game that the group had played; showing the improvement made by many of the regulars as well as the introduction of some excellent footballing newcomers, with Jerry King the lead amongst these.,

 

As always several of the players then went back to the local hostelry, the Cider Barn, to share the evenings enjoyment with the staff there, and to once again show thanks to the Cider Barn for sponsorship of the team. 

 

Oranges 2

Chris King, Chris Underhill, Tim Richens, Andy Wright, Paul Rodgers, Kev Attwood (2), Russell Young, Ben Chick (second half)

 

Blacks 1

Colin Batt, Jerry King, Danny Ward, Tim Youngberg, Robin Boyd (1), Clive Vaughan, Keith Hooper, Ben Chick (1st half)

 

Referee: Merv Brean 9.5/10 (would have been 10 but he’s from Winscombe, lol!!)