Match Report

This week we were up against new opposition for the seventh time this season which indicates the popularity of playing vets football and the lunacy of the over 35’s.

For game number 26 we had 15 players available with others keen to sign up for next season. This week we lined up with Gary Rosslee in goal, a defensive formation of Pat Mongelard, Chris Webb, Steve Blanchard and Ian Coles, midfield of Paul Storkey, Chris Ponulak, Toby Manchip and Colin Ebdon with Paul Smith and Ian Shoebridge in attack. Supporting roles were played by Toby Harlow, Trevor Stewart, George Clark and Roger French with Snow White’s missing eighth dwarf Mark “whistle while you work” James filling the gap in the middle who was heard to be singing the following ditty:

Just whistle while you work
Put on that grin and start right in to whistle loud and long
Just hum a merry tune
Just do your best and take a rest and sing yourself a song

When there''s too much to do
Don''t let it bother you, forget your troubles,
Try to be just like a cheerful chick-a-dee

And whistle while you work
Come on get smart, tune up and start
To whistle while you work

whilst reading the following extract from TheFA.com:

"Where the whistle is concerned, there is more to it than simply blowing and the team were shown exactly how this simple yet effective tool is implemented in games, from the regular tone required to signal a foul, or the full time whistle with my personal favourite being the long drawn out whistle followed by short, sharp blows to signal your intent in stopping a contentious situation from getting out of hand."

The game kicked-off with Old Albany pressing forward and getting the better of the earlier exchanges. At times FOBG were slipping into old ways but gradually got into the swing of things with Paul Smith (who else) springing the offside trap to score a well taken goal to put us one up against the run of play. This sparked Old Albany into action with a number of close calls including a thunderbolt of a shot that rebounded off the post to be gathered safely by Gary. In parts we created some good pressure but the half on balance belonged to Old Albany apart from the goal.

Half-time saw a number of changes in order to give everybody a game. The defence was re-shuffled with Trevor and Roger coming in and George taking up a central midfield role. The game continued with Old Albany pressing forward and soon the pressure paid off when they equalised following a corner. The scores were kept level thanks to an excellent one on one save by Gary and a goalline clearance by Chris P following another corner. A moment’s hesitation by the ref midway through the half lead to a quiet word being had during which instructions were issued on the use of the black plastic thing with the pea in it. The individual issuing the advice shall remain nameless however this season’s winner of the Tact & Diplomacy award goes to Roger French with a prize of a 4 month Anger Management course starting on 5th May 2008. The advice sort of paid off as the man in the middle eventually found the strength to give it a blow with a minute to spare to give an offside decision against Old Albany but not until he had run through and gone on to score what he thought was the winner. Needless to say he was a tad upset. The final whistle went shortly after (luckily) and we had managed to hang on for a draw.

A competitive game against strong opposition but played in the right spirit.

Only one week to go with our last fixture at home against Cudham and as Gary has already indicated his absence let’s make sure we find a goalkeeper.

Anyway here is one for the man in the middle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0xeqD5W1tg