Walking football match report - 20 October 2020

 

Teams

Yellows 2

Tim Richens, Keith Hooper, Matt Hooper, Steve Gooding, Chris Underhill, Kev Attwood, Ben Attwood, Steve Henderson (2), Bruce Bayliss

Oranges 4

Bob Bunn, Chris King, Tim Youngberg, Colin Batt, Robin Boyd, Lewis Ford (4), Paul Randall, Ben Chick, Neville Hiscox, Clive Vaughan

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Yet another thriller at the theatre of, extra mature, cheese (alternatively known as the Kings Astro) as the Orange team, containing all of the players from the win at Norton the previous week, triumphed over their rivals in yellow.

It became a scoring contest between two players predominantly, one being Steve Henderson who scored two for the Yellow team; but on the night it was new boy, Lewis Ford, travelling all the way from Stone Allerton, who was the difference between the two teams, as he scored all four goals, despite his relatively young 75 years, and created a great frontline partnership with the club’s own resident superstar, Paul Randall!

However Ford’s goal were a lot to do with the superb forward play by the Rovers legend, who kept the defenders busy all night, as well as the fantastic midfield support of Robin Boyd, Tim Youngberg and Clive Vaughan!

 

The first half saw the, slightly older, Orange team with an extra player and they took advantage as they created spaces and stretched the Yellow team whenever they had the ball. 

After half the period had been played the Orange team were 2-0 up as Ford introduced himself to the group by scoring a well taken brace,  giving the goalkeepers no chance.

Hope was given to the Yellow team, as Steve Henderson, showing that Ford was not the only goal scorer (and ex Iron Acton striker) on show, pulled one back for the team, much to everyone’s surprise, with his right foot!

Much of the surprise of the goal did not just come from the fact that it was Henderson who scored, but the fact that Bob Bunn’s defence of Chris King, Colin Batt, Neville Hiscox and the energy of Ben Chick were breached at all!

 

There were no more goals before the break and both teams went to enjoy quick refreshments before facing the second half.

 

The second half of the game was very much the same pattern with the extra player on the Orange side being crucial, although this fact should not take away the fact that the Oranges played a very good game throughout, keeping tight and compact and denying the youthful Yellow team any real space to work in.

The midfield of the Attwood’s was driving the team forward, with great support by Hooper junior, but still nothing gave the goalscoring Hooper Senior no chances to work with.

Steve Gooding and Chris Underhill were popping up all over the pitch but even these two “twinkle toed” players could do nothing to dent the “Orange brick wall” and often it was left to Bruce Bayliss, back after a lay off, and Tim Richens to repel the fast breaking Orange Hordes!!

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As in the first half the score was 2-1 to the Orange team with Ford scoring two more, once again, well taken, goals in the period, but Henderson scored in between these 2 goals, to give some hope to the Yellow team.

After almost an hour of hard graft, both teams were able to reflect on their performances with some pleasure; but bragging rights on the night went to the Orange team who won 4-2.

To be fair they, probably deservedly (as you can tell the match reporter played for the yellow team!) hit the victory on the night.

And, after a series of fist bumps, several of the players retired to the home of the club sponsor, the Cider Barn