Cheddar walking football match report – 9/9/20

 

Yellows

Tim Youngberg (1), Tim Richens, Kev Attwood (2), Shaun Palfrey, Steve Henderson(2), Neville Hiscox, Steve Gooding, Ben Chick, Clive Vaughan

 

Oranges

Bob Bunn, Bruce Bayliss, Andy Wright, Colin Batt, Chris King, Paul Randall (1), Keith Hooper (1), Paul Brice, Steve Grant

 

Ref: Rob Sheldon (Draycott) 9/10

 

A well attended thriller as Cheddar Walking Football Club “came home” to Kings Leisure Centre for a high quality game, which most agreed was the best quality in the time the men have been playing.

The players even had the luxury of a referee too - as Rob Sheldon was “the man in black” (not Johnny Cash!) and evening managed to penalise old stager Steve Henderson for running, an offence that caused Hendo to celebrate the fact a bloke in his late 60s could run!

Sheldon’s refereeing would have earned a 10/10 but for the fact that Chris “Dr Chatto” King said that Sheldon was rubbish!!

 

The first half was a high quality affair with defences on top, and the only goal came as the club superstar, and ex Rovers legend, Paul Randall, showed that the old adage “form is temporary but class is permanent” is true by latching on to one defensive lapse of concentration to slot past Timmy Youngberg in the yellow’s goal!

The yellows created many good chances as the returning Attwood was pulling all the strings in midfield, bring his team into the game throughout but the Yellows found super keeper, Bob “cat” Bunn unbeatable!

Credit also has to go to another old stager, Bruce Bayliss, who battled manfully to keep the yellow hordes at bay!

 

If the first period was a tight and hard fought affair, the second was a case of players running out of steam and Attwood dominating the game, ably supported by his yellow team mates - improving their communication and making the game much easier (there’s a lesson for all walking footballers there). The Oranges struggled to get out of their half and therefore negated the danger of their potent attack of Keith Hooper and Paul Randall, much to these two players frustration!

Goals came regularly for the Yellows with Hendo getting a brace, and man of the match, Kev Attwood, also notching two! Youngberg who had also come out of goal to score a deserved goal too, there was even a goal for the impressive Shaun Palfrey, but this was disallowed by tough referee, Sheldon, for being inside the area!

Despite the Orange frustration, ace poacher, Keith Hooper, did score his weekly goal, showing true style in front of goal to beat Richens from close range.

 

But the Yellows ran out 5-2 winners and after “socially distant elbow bumps” all round, many of the players retired to their sponsors, the Cider Barn, for a well earned drink or two and a chance to “put the world to rights”!!

 

Amongst the main topic of conversation was the visit this Sunday of the team to play an away friendly against Bristol Rovers, at Horfield Sports Centre at 11am

 

Also, Tim Richens was able to confirm that future sessions are at the Kings Leisure Centre every TUESDAY, AT 7:30PM (meeting up from 7pm) - so if you are reading this thinking “I fancy trying that” then just turn up and introduce yourself - the first two sessions are completely free of charge!!