Yellows 1

Colin Batt, Bruce Bayliss, Chris Underhill, Clive Vaughan, Ben Attwood, Steve Henderson, Steve Grant, Robin Boyd

Reds 1

Bob Bunn, Tim Richens, Rob Sheldon, Jerry King, Kev Attwood (1), Russell Young, Ben Chick, Steve Gooding.

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A low scoring, but high quality game at walking football last night as defences and keepers were on top despite a lot of excellent football, often one touch, which was a treat for anyone who had been watching - unfortunately, no one was!!!!

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The Oranges were a “no show” but the red team stepped in at short notice to make a game, and what a game it was, with the Yellow team, superbly led by Chris Underhill, rolling back the years, as well as, much to the surprise of his opponents - especially Tim Richens - using his right foot to great effect!

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The first half saw Underhill’s Yellows dominate the game and it was no surprise when they took the lead as Steve “my left foot” Henderson scored with a powerful drive after the ball came back to him after an audacious attempted back heel hit his mate, and supposed marker, Steve Gooding, and rebounded to Henderson. 

The Reds quickly learned that Hendo needing watching closely and after the game Rob Sheldon was heard to say “Hendo didn’t score when I was marking him”, and the old chap was right in this analysis, well done Rob!

The footballing talent of Underhill was allied to the extreme mobility (running????) of Clive Vaughan and Robin Boyd, and supplemented by the wily experience of Colin Batt and Bruce Bayliss (busy having his picture taken with opposition admirer, Russell Young!!).

Also excellent for the Yellows on the night were players from opposite ends of the age spectrum, Ben Attwood and Steve Grant, who seemed to dictate the tempo of the game, Grant especially with little flicks and touches that belied his many years (or experience as he called it!)

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

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The second half saw the Reds start to dominate as Attwood Senior (Kev) eventually got the better of his offspring! 

Jerry King also took over from Underhill as the player who took control of the game, and these two worked with Russell Young to create chances, which the watching defence of Richens, Sheldon and Gooding (having been released from marking his opponent, and nemesis, Steve Henderson) wondered if they (the forwards) would ever score!!

Anytime the Yellows did get past the defence they could not get past the “bloke who looked like he’d come to lock up”, aka Bob “the cat” Bunn!!

Eventually the Reds did get their deserved equaliser as a Kev Attwood thunderbolt gave Colin “Wobble” Batt no chance, for which Batt, as ever, blamed his defence!!

A great game and a creditable draw was the final result so all players left with pride intact!

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And, after a series of fist bumps, several of the players retired to the home of the club sponsor, the Cider Barn, and it was here that they had a lot of enjoyment; especially as Mr Batt recounted tales of his ex-rabbit to his team mates, many tears were shed as Batt described “bunny’s demise”, but eventually the players sadness subsided and much enjoyment was had!.