Tonight saw the continuation of the 5-a-side competition.
As per usual, a changed line up greeted the players as they gathered. This time Dave aka "Wolverine" and Tom reported sick.
Tom was reported to have flu, Dave's condition is unknown. It is rumoured that "Wolverine" had visited the Dry Cleaners to collect his favourite yellow Spandex outfit, but upon exiting, he was forced into a walk as opposed to a crawl by the incline of the wheelchair access ramp. Unaccustomed to this sudden burst of speed, extreme motion sickness ensued.
The absentees allowed the Shambles figurehead of "Captain Carthorse", otherwise known as Tim, to return, although he was suffering from a bad back.
The warm up saw the ageing defender, Graham, tweak his groin (not really the place to do such a thing!!).
From kick off it was evenly contested, then suddenly, Chris gamboled from defence into attack. Looking like a 6ft+ tightrope walker running across the tightrope,somehow riding his luck to get to the other side to avoid the deathfall, he poked the ball into the net from close range.
However, the usual frailties saw Halcrow come back to take a 2-1 lead into the break.Graham at this stage decided he should go off. His groin injury had given him an insight into being "Wolverine". His head was trying to tell his legs to react, but his legs were not willing. This resulted in Graham being caught on the ball too much.
He also thought he had gone deaf as Chris was not shouting like he expected him to.
The second half was punctuated by freekicks, some of which were dubiously awarded, where as a strong case was later was to be ignored by the ref (well someone who was stood on the halfway line looking like one).
Halcrow went 3-1 up to be followed by a reply by the Shambles, Paul aka Christian Ronaldo (because of his self-proclaimed striking prowess) with assistance by Ade, making the score 3-2.
Late on Paul seemed destined to equalise only to find someone holding his hand to prevent him getting a decent shot on goal (or was the offender making the wrong sort of pass??). At this point he appealed for a freekick, only to see the ref, confronted with a decision, backing out and blowing for full time.
Well done Halcrow.
A special mention to Captain Carthorse. He played with typical gusto, lunging into tackles as though he had just dropped a penny when giving change in his shop, stamping on it as it was about to disappear under a display under which he knew it would be lost forever. Watch the pennies...hey captain!! Tim also took the opportunity to decalre that he will be taking a backseat next season, his tenacity will be missed.
This creates the opportunity for new blood so the Shambles scouts will be out there, so RUN WHILE YOU CAN.!!