After our matches we vote on Man of the Match and Donkey. The former title is obvious, the latter is reserved for the daft mistake or something else on the day that merits the perpetrator winner of the title. Yesterday I was voted Donkey, unanimously, in fact even I voted for me. What did I do to deserve this ignominy? And this after I had just given up my time to umpire the previous match too. Well I thought I did what used to be called 'playing in the spirit of the game'. We went one down, and then pulled one back to draw level. The game had just a few minutes to go when one of the opposition burst through our defence towards me, and unfortunately the ball hit me on the foot as I tried to defend our D. The umpire blew for a free hit just outside the D, but alas I knew the ball had hit my foot inside the D, so I confessed my mistake, and the umpire converted the free hit to a penalty corner. The opposition took a short push in and cracked the ball across for the same guy I had fouled to steam in and deflect the ball into the roof of the net. It was a very good goal, but Bob, as my left back couldn't believe I'd owned up. He wasn't cross, just disbelieveing. We pressed for another equaliser but just a couple of minutes later the final whistle blew.
Sitting in the bar after the match, Bhavik, our Man-of-the-Match asked me if I'd own up again in a critical league match and after a moment's pause, I said I would. Winning is good, or at least avoiding defeat, but for me the way the game is played is important too. I'm afraid therefore that I can envisage being voted Donkey again.
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Quid pro quo
At the start of the season, my son Dan passed the ball to me on the edge of the opposition D and much to my surprise I scored a cracker into the top corner. Last week I had a shot saved by the keeper at 1-1, with 10 minutes to go, but Dan pounced on the rebound and scored his first ever goal and the winner. He confided to me afterwards that he'd slightly mishit it and the ball nicked the post as it went in and for a moment he thought he'd missed it. However, a goal is a goal, especially when it's the winner and your first.
This week, the 5ths didn't have a game, so Dan played for the 4ths, and I played for the Vintage against a good Reading side. We lost 2-5, partly due to me turning up late (and 2 goals down) whilst I sold my car. Despite my apologies, I did feel obliged to buy a jug afterwards, which I have to say disappeared very quickly. I think the proceeds from my car sale may be rapidly accounted for.
Today I watched the U14 Boys Development team play their first match of the season against Wycombe. Our boys went 0-2 down with goals either side of half-time, but then picked up the tempo, and in an excellent second half, pulled a goal back and would have got an equaliser but for some excellent saves by the Wycombe keeper. The last 15 minutes was end-to-end stuff as A&C went for the equaliser, and Wycombe went for the killer third, but in the end it finished 1-2. Well done to all the boys, many of whom were playing their first full pitch 11-a-side, and three of whom had played earlier for the U12s in a mini-tournament. I don't think they'd realised just how tiring running over the whole pitch for an hour is, but in the last 15 minutes it didn't seem to matter as both sets of parents cheered them on furiously in an exciting finale.
Squash and chocolate chip cookies in the pavilion rounded off the afternoon. When they win, I'll get out the fizzy stuff - Fanta that is.
This week, the 5ths didn't have a game, so Dan played for the 4ths, and I played for the Vintage against a good Reading side. We lost 2-5, partly due to me turning up late (and 2 goals down) whilst I sold my car. Despite my apologies, I did feel obliged to buy a jug afterwards, which I have to say disappeared very quickly. I think the proceeds from my car sale may be rapidly accounted for.
Today I watched the U14 Boys Development team play their first match of the season against Wycombe. Our boys went 0-2 down with goals either side of half-time, but then picked up the tempo, and in an excellent second half, pulled a goal back and would have got an equaliser but for some excellent saves by the Wycombe keeper. The last 15 minutes was end-to-end stuff as A&C went for the equaliser, and Wycombe went for the killer third, but in the end it finished 1-2. Well done to all the boys, many of whom were playing their first full pitch 11-a-side, and three of whom had played earlier for the U12s in a mini-tournament. I don't think they'd realised just how tiring running over the whole pitch for an hour is, but in the last 15 minutes it didn't seem to matter as both sets of parents cheered them on furiously in an exciting finale.
Squash and chocolate chip cookies in the pavilion rounded off the afternoon. When they win, I'll get out the fizzy stuff - Fanta that is.
Sunday, 3 October 2010
New season
So here we are at the end of the first league weekend of the new season, with all teams in action and some junior matches too. It has been a while since my last post, so this one is a bit of a catch-up. This comes after a busy pre-season including a number of friendlies following our open day at the start of September which was extremely well attended by the men, the ladies and the juniors with a number of new faces which was fantastic to see. On top of that, the planning application for the redevelopment of Newlands (including our two pitches and a clubhouse) has been formally validated and is out in public for consultation. The new training schedule has been up and running for several weeks and is also seing lots of older juniors, and seniors working on fitness and skill. Sunday mornings has been expertly run as usual by Emma, and load of new faces, especially the littl'uns who are playing quickstiks with slightly lighter sticks and slightly larger and lighter balls, which is really good for teaching them the basics. Busy, busy, busy.
Yesterday I played in the 5ths, having previously umpired the 3rds. We had a really good game, but were undone by some fantastic crisp passing and finishing by the juniors in Bracknell's development-style team. On a couple of occasions I was completely bypassed by the Bracknell youngsters moving at speed and passing the ball into the goal. While I don't like losing, I had to admire their ability and teamwork. In a couple of years time, I don't think I'll even get close to them, not that that will stop me trying. Last year, I played the first couple of 5th's games with 9 players, and the other teams were playing with 11 or at best 12. Yesterday all the men's teams had at least 12, and we put out a Vintage and a Badgers, so we have increased the depth of our playing force.
So well done to the team that has got the season up and running, don't forget to work on fitness, try and pay your subs on time, and let's support the planning so in a year or so we are playing on some brand spanking new astros.
Yesterday I played in the 5ths, having previously umpired the 3rds. We had a really good game, but were undone by some fantastic crisp passing and finishing by the juniors in Bracknell's development-style team. On a couple of occasions I was completely bypassed by the Bracknell youngsters moving at speed and passing the ball into the goal. While I don't like losing, I had to admire their ability and teamwork. In a couple of years time, I don't think I'll even get close to them, not that that will stop me trying. Last year, I played the first couple of 5th's games with 9 players, and the other teams were playing with 11 or at best 12. Yesterday all the men's teams had at least 12, and we put out a Vintage and a Badgers, so we have increased the depth of our playing force.
So well done to the team that has got the season up and running, don't forget to work on fitness, try and pay your subs on time, and let's support the planning so in a year or so we are playing on some brand spanking new astros.
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