Life in a northern town

Apologies once again for the late posting of this match report; I spent the Bank Holiday weekend away in the North visiting Finsbury Leisure Centre legend and all action striker Boro Dave. As such, I am once again reaching back across the days and nights to try and recall what happened last Friday. 

Custom behoves me to try and recall the two sides as best I can. Here goes:

Yellows: me, Steve, Liam, Nick, Ian Baggies, Andy, Mick, Patrick Kavanagh, Ross

Blues: Yev, Simon Gas, Ian Gooner, Mario, Danny, Mark, Simon Ink, Bristol Paul 

What I can remember is that the game finished eight apiece, with the Blues coming from something like 5-7 down to lead 8-7 through Mario and Yev before young Patrick, son of Mick, bagged the equaliser to cap a fine overall display which saw him grab at least three goals. If I’ve under-cooked that review of Patrick’s performance, I am confident his father will have no compunction in making this known when next I see him. His final score demonstrated a composure which belied his young years as he side-stepped one challenge, then another, before picking his spot and finishing with unerring sureness of foot. 

The sides initially appeared somewhat unbalanced in favour of the Blues and they duly took the lead before Yev arrived, (only slightly late this week). Simon Gas then slightly rejigged the teams, leaving an ominous looking combination of Yev and Mario to terrorise the Yellows, despite the jaundiced-bibbed side having the man advantage.

Also among the goals were Ross, who once again managed to score with a looping header courtesy of a precision centre from Nick, Mario, who knocked one in after Yev had absolutely eviscerated me and cut the ball back from the by-line, and the beast from the east himself, who was in imperious form. 

Mick captained the Yellows with great effect, controlling the area in front of what passed for the Yellows’ defence and directing his son and the other offensive Yellow-bibbed players as they pressed forward. If Liam, Nick and Patrick were guilty of overplaying the ball at times, this was chiefly because Danny was in Billy the Fish form in goal, thwarting a large number of Yellow attacks with some last ditch defending.

I finished off a night to forget by becoming hopelessly wrong-footed as Yev seared past Ian and drilled the ball into the area, with a pass that somehow evaded everyone and rolled into the net. Not good.

As I had an early start on Saturday I eschewed the traditional post-match refreshments in the Skinners, but I am sure a good time was had by all. 

And what news of our erstwhile team-mate, you ask? Well, northern country life would appear to suit the Middlesbrough hit man, with a view overlooking the moors and not one, but two sheds. His garden is strewn with golf balls, as Dave is working on his short game by chipping balls into the kids’ trampoline. Life looks to be sweet. He still gets quite cross, mind you.