Match report no. 1 January 2019 (1/01/19)*

*I might try and keep this year’s blogs appear like a magazine or periodical for future reference.

As promised, I am trying to keep up to date with the match reports in 2019, (my one and only New Years’ resolution).

With everyone keen to burn off the thickening effects of two weeks of mince pies and pigs in blankets there was a bumper turn out last Friday, with Simon Gas turning folk away. Sadly, some of us were rendered unfit owing to some snowman bothering in the Urals. And Mick remains benched owing to hairline arm-knack courtesy of one of Sebastian’s howitzers.

Here are your two teams for the first game of 2019:

Blues: Geoff, Bristol Paul, Simon Gas, Ed, James, Joe, Charlie, Patrick Chen, Alan

Yellows: me, Ian Gooner, Steve, Shez, Tony, Peter, Mario, Nick, Simon Ink

By common consent, a close and well contested game, which just goes to show what can happen if people turn up (and on time).

The Yellows got off to a strong start and eased into a three goal lead. I was stationed in our half for almost all of the game so I was not privy to the first two goals, but Mario swept home the third for the Yellows, the culmination of a fine move that drew upon the respective talents of the timeless Tony, the percussive Peter and the nerveless Nick.

At three nil you might have thought it was game over, but the Blues came back into things through someone or other before Ed bagged a good goal; he hoved into view from the right and stabbed the ball home from about fifteen yards with the outside of his foot. Things then became somewhat attritional with the Yellows dropping back and inviting on pressure, which they were withstanding fairly comfortably until Mario underhit a back pass toward Tony which was greedily seized upon by Alan who snaffled home from about three yards.

Three apiece.

Never one to be out of the limelight for long, Mario made swift amends by controlling the ball and slamming home unerringly from all of about twenty yards or so. The Yellows had a couple of narrow squeaks before the final whistle but clung on to win by the odd goal in seven.

Final score: Yellows 4 – Blues 3

And so to the Skinners for the first time this year. No pork pageant for January, but plenty of chat about bachelor’s suppers, the recent festive period and, of course, association football.

See you shortly.