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Viper Reds vs Vipers
A barnstorming match today saw both teams play some outstanding football in tricky conditions at a typically muddy Monkton Stadium. After this awesome display both teams left with heads held high after a magnificent draw. Well, that’s the outcome that most of the coaches were saying they wanted, but once again it was the Vipers who came out on top as they edged this encounter between two parts of the sporting trinity that is the Monkton Vipers Football Club.
How would the lads respond to the sage advice received from Sunderland legend Kevin Ball at training this week? During his playing days, Kevin was renowned for his steely determination and outstanding leadership on the pitch. And for some bone-crunching tackling. The driving force behind Sunderland AFC during the 1990s, Kevin is now the Assistant Manager at the academy where he has continued his no-nonsense approach demanding discipline and respect from the players. Would this be seen on the pitch?
The Reds, at home in their red and yellow shirts, started with Alex in goal and Jordan and Lewis Ireland at the back. Captain Marvel was in the middle with Harry on the right, Jack on the left and Lewis Keenan up front. Nathan and Adam waited on the bench itching to get on.
For the Vipers playing in orange, Matty was between the sticks, Sam and Thomas were at the back with Mason, James Catley and Kyle and Callum starting with Max, James Reed and Kai on the bench.
Phil patrolling the near touchline, nervously glancing at his clipboard and stopwatch didn’t know whether to twist or bust. While Gary and John gathered both teams together for final words of wisdom. Chris paced up and down on the far touchline with Jimmy needing to remind Phil of the pact not to coach the lads during the game. Before long the coaches were unable to restrain themselves as the tension started to rise.
The Reds had the first attack but it wasn’t long before James Catley made one of a number of skilful marauding runs down the left wing to put in a dangerous cross. And a resultant corner found the ball seemingly stuck in the deep, deep mud of the six yard box with nobody able to make a decisive intervention until hotshot Mason pounced and forced the ball across the line to give the Vipers an early lead, 0-1.
Alex was called upon shortly after to beat away a good shot from James Catley from a great Kyle cross and the momentum continued for the Vipers with good passing and movement between wing-wizard Mason and the midfield maestro Kyle, down the right. Desperate times for the Reds as there was a touch of the Hand of God on the goal-line as Lewis did really well, literally on his knees, to make a goal-line clearance.
Great tracking back from Harry to put in a last- gasp tackle with James threatening again. A minute later and this time the tackle was a touch late with Kai forging a dangerous run. With sections of the crowd baying for a card, it seemed that a little bit of Kevin Ball had found its way onto the pitch at Monkton after all.
Top football from Rob, working the channel down the right ended with a decent attempt but not quite enough to really threaten Matty in goal, who was well assisted by the impressively cool as a cucumber Sam, but a cucumber dressed in orange. Lewis Keenan, the thinking man’s footballer was trying to link up with the midfield but was well guarded by the Vipers.
A fierce shot from the jinking Max flashed across the goal but when the trickster that is James Reed latched on to an excellent cross from the impressive Kai, it was the outstanding Jordan who was on hand to block the ball and save the Reds from going further behind just before the whistle blew for half-time, 0-1.
Second-half encouragement for the Reds as excellent work from the tireless Jack and hard-working Harry down the left but when a goal was threatened, Matty was quickly out to snaffle the ball and deny the chance. Fantastic clearance from Adam Elstob as a dangerous Vipers’ cross was met with a thunderous defensive volley. Have it!
And when a pass from Harry looked to have opened the door for Jack, a tigerish covering tackle from Thomas slammed the door firmly shut. And bolted it. And padlocked it. Fruitless too was further good work from Adam this time in attack as he and Harry shifted the ball down the left but out for a goal-kick.
And a run and pass from the Reds found the excellent Nathan to sets up Adam for a chance but once again the immaculate Matty saves well. And when Harry robbed the ball from the Vipers’ midfield the early shot was just past the post.
End to end now as a snap shot from Kai needed Alex to reach up and get a strong hand to turn the ball around the post. A fantastic shot on the turn from James Reed was just wide of the target but with time running out another busy goalmouth scramble saw Callum in the vicinity to cap a tremendous performance as the ball crossed the line to seal the points for the Vipers, 0-2.
So honours uneven as the Vipers took full advantage against the Reds whose mojo was temporarily mislaid. Well done the Vipers and for the Reds, let’s get a-lookin’ for the old mojo – but first lads, as our honorary coach Bally Bally would demand, get them boots cleaned!
Final Score: 0-2.
