Walking football report - 11/3/20

Oranges 4-4 Yellows

Oranges Team

Paul Chick

Paul Randall

Neville Hiscox

Steve Gooding

Steve Henderson

Adrian Male

Tim Youngberg

Colin Batt

Ben Chick (1st half)

GOALS - HENDERSON 2, RANDALL, B CHICK

Yellows Team

Paul Rodgers

Tim Richens

Rob Sheldon

Clive Vaughan

Keith Hooper

Bruce Bayliss

Rich Pople

Paul Brice

Ben Chick (second half)

GOALS - RODGERS 2, BAYLISS, BRICE

A controversial night at the “theatre of naps” - the name befitting the oldies on show - as Jock Rodgers,with two goals already in the bag, was denied a hat trick (and ultimately a winning goal) when his superb long range effort flew into the top corner but, upon review by the match referee - Neville Hiscox of the Orange Team - and VAR it was disallowed, as the ball had, on its way to goal, gone above crossbar height so has to be disallowed, much to Rodgers’ disgust!

The game ended with a fair draw, despite many chances being missed by the Yellows, with man of the match, Rodgers, influential throughout, his two goals being reward for his hard working display! 

The teams looked evenly matched at the start and, at the break, when the teams changed ends,  the only real difference had been some goalkeeping errors from the Yellow’s keeper, allowing Henderson to smash one home, as well as goals for Ben Chick and Paul Randall, Randall’s goal bringing back memories of the Tote End at Eastville flooding back! Especially enjoyable to Steve Henderson!

The only reply in the first period came when a fantastic through ball by the “visionary” Richens, found an unmarked Paul Rodgers who smashed the ball past the helpless Adrian Male in the Orange team’s goal!

The second period saw the Yellows playing down the hill, with the impressive Ben Chick also changing sides, to even up the numbers, the Yellow team taking control, scoring twice, the Orange team replying with another thunderbolt, which Rodgers (by now in goal) could not get near, by the dangerous left foot of Steve Henderson! 

But, Rodgers added a second goal of his own and suddenly it was 4-3 to the Yellows as Bayliss scored a rare, but vital, goal, and so all to play for, with Keith Hooper still yet to score his weekly goal!

The Yellows got on top at this stage as Clive Vaughan, Rich Pople and Paul Brice started to dominate the midfield, up against the constant ability of Paul Chick and Tim Youngberg, in a great midfield battle!

Then came the “controversy” as Rodgers’ long range effort went flying past the outstretched arms of Steve Gooding, but the celebrations were cut short by the refereeing call!

The Yellows were not to be denied though as they eventually equalised when Paul Brice scored his first, and the teams’ fourth, a rare goal from Brice, known for the quality of goals rather than the quantity!!

The Yellows had to be in their guard as “Wobbly” Batt stayed a threat, in attack, until the end, and more surprisingly stayed on his feet!

With only 5 minutes left, the big question was whether we would see a winning goal all, but the defensive masterclass remained in place, and no more goals were forthcoming! 

For the Oranges Paul Chick was a one man defensive shield and the “old guard” of Neville Hiscox, Rob Sheldon and Adrian Male mopped up anything that got through, with Tim Youngberg moving from a hard working midfielder to a solid keeper in the latter stages!

Once again a great evening was had by all, with huge thanks, despite much “mickey taking”, to every player who contributed. 

As usual, both teams left the pitch, but, due to Corona Virus, no handshaking took place but some weird “dances” were seen instead, the teams laughing and joking, having enjoyed themselves immensely. 

Then it was off to the home of the Sponsors (The Cider Barn) for more laughs, analysis and even more