CHEDDAR 1-0 SHEPTON MALLET

 

Team (Cheddar)

Bob Bunn

Tim Richens

Clive Vaughan

Barry Sampson

Shaun Palfrey

Russell Young (1 goal)

Paul Randall

Andy Wright

Rob Salway

Colin Batt

 

In a superbly played friendly in which both teams competed “hard but fair” and in a great spirit, Cheddar came out narrow winners through a Russell Young goal, assisted by his “partner in crime” Colin Batt!

Batt, was atoning for his earlier misdemeanours when he not only once, but twice, went into the area to concede penalties! Batt claimed he was only giving his friend Bob Bunn, in Cheddars goal, the chance to be a hero!! And a hero he was, as Shepton failed to convert either penalty to let Batt off a night of “ribbing”!

Although spotting Batt “infringing” was not difficult, the referee, Merv Brean, was once again alert and a great official throughout!

 

The early part of the game saw Shepton look organised and more practiced but they met a strong defence of Richens and Vaughan who were brilliantly backed up by Bunn in the goal!

In midfield Sampson, Palfrey and Young were energetic and efficient, despite the hot conditions and up front Randall kept possession superbly to remove the pressure off the hard worked defence but in attack Cheddar did not support Randall well enough and created little in the way of chances.

The introduction of Wright, Salway and Batt didn’t change things dramatically although they all put a good shift in, especially Salway who was like a “little terrier”, making tackles against players much bugger than him (as most people are!).

 

Cheddar were well supported by manager Paul Rodgers in the opening period, but the lure of a Christmas Do (in July!!) and the chance to meet Santa was too much to keep Rodgers at the match and the organisation was taken over by Shaun Palfrey. Palfrey kept the team nicely rotated but it looked as though, unless Batt gave a penalty away, the game would end up all level, but no one had reckoned on Russell Young rolling back the years and taking a rare Cheddar chance!

 

After the game both teams retired to the home of the Cheddar sponsors, the Cider Barn, where they were treated to some excellent food and a few pints of “Somerset Chardonnay”!!!

 

Want to be part of this fun? Just turn up and try it every Thursday at 7pm at Kings Leisure Centre, why not have a look?  

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