For the Gaffer
Chapter 1 – Vying for Dominance
With an extra week to work off the Christmas fat, Boots players turned up at Bingham for the first league fixture of 2014. The pitch was heavy, muddy, lacked white lines after much discussion from the substitutes arguing which way the slope went, it was declared flat. Predictions that this would fit Boots passing game certainly came to fruition with Boots dominating possession in the opening 5 minutes with the first chance coming to Subo who headed a Crozier cross just over the bar.
However, Southside’s first possession resulted in an early goal when after initial good defending, the ball ended at the feet of a midfielder outside the area who curled the ball in over Frumpies head. Boots heads didn’t go down and after some good work in the middle of the pitch the ball broke to Crozier who fired the ball into the goal (Opposition goalkeeper was temporally blinded by Crozier’s new boots) and score his first goal of the year(and season).
The score was soon 2-1 when Jam received the ball on the edge of the area and coolly slotted the ball past the keeper. Southside got back in it after a clearance was missed and their striker was not closed down resulting in a deflected shot of Tooby which Frumpy could do nothing about.
The score was not a true reflection of the game with Boots having total dominance of possession mixed in with some sublime passing, Subo had a couple more headed chances but sailed just over the bar and cleared of the line. Gorgeous George(GG) came close to netting, after beating the keeper only for the ball to dribble towards the goal and again to be cleared of the line.
Chapter 2 - The Turning Point
In what could potentially have been a frustrating game for Boots having played superior football but drawing turned drastically after a Boots corner. After an initial clearance, the ball was crossed into the box but flew over the keepers head and was expertly tipped over by a Southside defender, leaving the ref with absolutely no choice but to show a red card and award a penalty. Up stepped the plucky Scouser who sent the keeper the wrong way and put Boots 3 – 2 up at half time.
The second half started much the same way as the previous half with Sicky bursting into the box only to be bundled over when there was no real need, leaving the ref to award another penalty. Up stepped the Scouser again who slotted in the same spot and double his tally for the game and 4 for the season. Soon after it was 5 – 2 after Sicky whipped a corner kick in which bounced of the opposition for an OG.
Boots where enjoying their football supremely at this point, with Southside rarely touching the ball except for goal kicks. The 6th goal came from a true total football move that when through most players on the pitch, with the play concluding with Sicky playing the ball to GG who played a lovely one two with Subo before passing to Croz who blasted the ball into the top left of goal.
Chapter 3 – Picnic Time
With the score line looking healthy the gaffer made changes to insert some fresh legs on the pitch. This paid off immediately with PC Brown flicking Sickies perfect free kick into the net. Not long after he grabbed a second after further good team work led PC Brown to pick up the ball near the edge of the area and after a neat 1-2-1 with Subo, he fired home for Boots 7th. After this there were three further changes with debutant Douggie, Sammy double-barrelled and Duke coming on. This combination worked almost immediate with Sammy passing to Duke, who flicked the ball to Douggie, who slotted home. Douggie and Duke then linked up again after Dougie dribbled past two players, ran to the by line picking a free Duke out one yard from goal for the easiest tap in of the day and bring up double figures. At this point their where rumours Frumpy, Fowler, Tooby and Wiily B where having morning tea on the goal line and didn’t invite Orloff, which resulted in the gaffer deciding to come on for the tearful Orloff. He started the move which resulted in Sammy passing to Duke who swung a big left foot that fired the ball pass the hapless keeper. This made the final score 11-2.
Chapter 4 – Epilogue
Overall the team played some excellent total football, there was some good defending especially at the end of the first half and if we keep playing like that and taking chances, we’ll quickly go up the league table. Gaffers MOM went to Gorgeous George and opponents when to two goal Crozier.
THE END
