As avid followers of the Shambles know, a season is always full of drama. Tonights game was no exception.
A couple of hours before kick off, our resident goalie, James, excused himself from proceedings, preferring to answer the Siren's call from Villa Park.
A frantic bit of texting by me, drafted the old stalwart Flash back into the team and asked ian to don the goalkeppers gloves.
All sorted.....or so I thought.
Moments before kick off, we were still 2 players short. On going outside, I espied the lanky legs of HRH approaching from his limousine. However no sign of the keeper...eeek!!
By now Darth Dave was getting twitchy in his kingdom, i could picture him stamping his feet like a psychotic Oompah Loompa.
The game had to start.
"Who's the best keeper here?" I cried.
"I am" instantly game the reply from The Bandit. THE BANDIT!!.........Our best striker I thoiught to myself.
Begrudgingly I agreed knowing I had seen some fine keeping from him in his previous existence as a Coogan.
We lined up ready to face the unknown once again. In the heat of the early evening Sports hall, this Band of Brothers stared at each other, would we survive without a mauling?? The sound of our beating hearts filled the hall like the sound of a thousand distant drums. We faced the enemy and darth blew to start.
Straightaway the Shambles started to press the opposition in their half, forcing the enemy into slight mistakes. Caught up in the madness, I, Captain Gman suddenly found myself behind enemy lines involved in skirmishes hith the enemy. Somehow I stumbled around the box and managed to retain the ball. Finding myself central to the goal, with only the keeper to beat, I decided this was the time to go for the kill. Without looking into the eyes of my last remianing opponent, I teed up the ball delicately, puled the trigger slightly back, FIRE!!
I looked up and to my surprise the ball was hitting the back of the net.......Goooo-aal!...1-0.
The Shambles continued to circle their prey, with good interchange taking place.
Again, I ,Captain Gman, charged behind enemy lines afterthe loose ball. Reaching it first, I found myself at an acute angle. Strangely i found myself recalling that previous experience had lead to me scoring from this position before. I saw the slightest gap between the keeper and the near post. Why not i thought.....Shooooooot....I watched te ball leave me like a guided missile....straight and true. It ascended high into the back ofthe net via the gap I had noted.....Goooo-aal.......2-0.
My team mates nearly fainted. I had scored 2. Time to retreat.
My comrades continued the assault. Commando Craig took up the banner.......Goooo-aaal.......3-0.
The bloodlust coursing through his veins, Commando Craig fired another killer blow.....Blitzkrieg.......4-0.
Thec first half was becoming a bllodbath. The Old Crowleonians were having their chances but were overpowered by the menacing Shambles.
Commando , showing no mercy ended a fine passing move with another dagger to the heart....Goooo-aal.....5-0.......Another Craig hattrick!!
By now his Platoon Buddy, The Bandit, had been liberated by the arrival of Ian (fresh from painting), and was engaing the enemy.
Ian survived a friendly fire incident as HRH rolled a grenade across our home barracks , the enemy's eyes lighting up....Danger UXB!!. However, it was safely disarmed by Sapper Ian, cool and professional as ever.
The adrenalin rushing throughour bodies, the shooting frenzy continued. Craig hogged the limelight again...Goooo-aal!.....6-0.
The Bandit continued to find his range, an effort hitting the post off the goalkeeper.
Here he comes again for his five-fer......Commando Craig.............Goooo-aaal......7-0.
The bandit was now primed........target locked........coming in.......LAUNCH.........Goooo-aal!........8-0.
Half time and both parties retreated momentarily.
Regrouped and both sides up to full compliment, the second half commenced.
Not surprisingly the goal fest could not be maintained.
Flash occasionally took a sniper shot on goal unlucky not to to repeat last weeks effort (disallowed) from long range.
However, the Old Crowleonians, got a few more efforts raining in. One particualr effort, hit on the ricochet, brought down our goal but did not go in the net. Phew.
Towards the end, The Bandit ,was in his pomp, and with his back to goal, took the enemy by surprise with a subtle, yet majestic back heel, wrong footing the goalie, who turned helplessly to see the ball drift across the line. Coooooool!!.....Gooooo-aal!!.......9-0.
HRH found himself hacked down a couple of times much to his disgust.
Late in the game, the Old Crowleonians drew blood....9-1.
I have to say the Shambles ruthlessly killed off the oppostion in the first half with a devastating burst of composed and ruthless play.
Well played boys but we have a double header next week so be prepared!!