CHEDDAR 2-1 KEYNSHAM

Cheddar side – Bob Bunn, Tim Richens, Clive Vaughan, Shaun Palfrey, Dave Giles, Paul Chick, Paul Brice, Andy Wright, Darren Nicholls

GOALS – Chick (2)

 

Cheddar played against the reigning Someret FA over 50s walking football league champions, Keynsham Town, in a thrilling, well competed and enjoyable match, played as football should be played – i.e. hard but fair.

The match was supposed to be a mini tournament but the non-appearance of two clubs, resulted in a straight match (of 3 periods of 20 minutes) between the two clubs.

As well as a number of familiar faces, including Tim Richens and Paul Chick (pulled from a South West Regional training day) were assembled by the manager, Sean Palfrey, who also acquired the services of Darren Nicholls (who turned up in a spectacular pair of Simpsons socks!), a mate of Dave Giles.

 

The game started with the Keynsham team, who were more experienced in playing together, in territorial and possession control although the Cheddar side worked hard to keep them at bay with the defence, led by Tim Richens, aware of the threat of the Keynsham attack and were able to provide good protection to Bob Bunn in the goal, but when they did get through they were unable to get past the wily old keeper!

There were several chances for both teams in the first period but unfortunately none of them were taken and despite a number of tactical substitutions, including the introduction of Nicholls up front, the first period finished, probably correctly, in a stalemate at 0-0.

 

The second period saw Cheddar competing much better but their confidence proved to be their undoing in this session. As they grew into the game, and looked more of an attacking threat, they left a gap in midfield which suddenly overloaded the pressurised Cheddar defence, and despite Clive Vaughan appearing to be pushed into the area, and therefore unable to make a tackle, a Keynsham striker found himself close to goal and smashed a ball past Bob Bunn who had no real chance of making a save.

The rest of the period saw Cheddar desperately trying to get the goal back, but Keynsham always looking threatening on the counter-attack throughout.

 

The third period saw the Cheddar side take a degree of control of the game and they not only defended solidly, but also, through some excellent finishing, scored two goals through a newly discovered striker called Paul Chick!

The first goal was the result of him having ridiculously long legs and getting to the ball before the Keynsham defenders, and although his momentum took him into the area his shot was taken from outside and as a result the goal was given, correctly.

The second goal saw another great finish by Chick, with the only surprise being that he did not get his third goal, although he did hit the woodwork again and have several close efforts superbly saved by the Keynsham keeper. All this looked unlikely in the opening period of the game when the tall striker limped off following a bad foul on him.

After Cheddar had taken the lead Keynsham came back with a vengeance, but the Cheddar back line, at this time superbly probably patrolled by Andy Wright and Paul Brice, held firm and they still looked threatening on the attack with Dave Giles, Darren Nicholls, as well as the skipper Shaun Palfrey, all looking threatening on the counter attack themselves.

After the game the majority of the team retired to the bar where a lot of fun was once again had, especially when Bob Bunn found himself paying £10 for two bowls of chips!

But overall, this was a successful Sunday morning for a fast-developing Cheddar side who have much to learn, but are learning at a very fast rate.

 

This set them up very well for their upcoming game against Weston in the national cup on Monday the 5th of July at Kings Leisure Centre.

Although the team will still go into the match as underdogs, this game has given him the confidence that they can compete with the stronger and more experienced sides.

So, if you want to come and watch the game, please feel free to turn up at Kings leisure at 8:00 PM on Monday the 5th of July, there you can see “what it's all about”! Admission is FREE!