Viper Reds at the Double and left Feline Great…. The Mighty Reds played 2 fixtures this week, firstly against the Panthers from Primrose and then the Pumas of Tyneside. It’s been a bad week for cats of the footballing variety, notably those black ones from down the road in Sunderland, but one thing was for sure, these teams would put up a stern test for the Vipers. Primrose Panthers With regular keeper Alex out for a few weeks, Jordan donned his gloves and took up his place in the mud between the sticks. The defence looked ready with Lewis Ireland and Taylor providing a formidable partnership. In the middle Captain Marvel, with Jack and Adam flying on the wings and Nathan up front. Super-subs Lewis Keenan and Harry kept themselves warm on the sidelines waiting to get in on the action. A bright start from the Vipers, getting their passing game going early doors and a tremendous exchange between Adam and Jack saw a shot whistle just past the post. Taylor and Lewis were called into action but some excellent clearances from Lewis and a great tackle from Taylor snuffed out the danger and allowed the Vipers to continue and press their advantage. Quick thinking from the assured Jordan, whose excellent kick-out was superbly controlled by the live-wire Nathan to slip Jack into the box but the shot was just wide of the mark. A free-kick was well within the range of Captain Marvel and the rocket rattled the post as the keeper did well to shepherd the ball away. Unlucky, Rob, “nearly a Beckham!” as the old man said. Time for hearts in mouths, as a dangerous attack from the Pumas looked to have caught Lewis out in defence, as he allowed the attacker to nearly get the ball. Panic over as a quick jink to the left, and a change of pace, and an excellent clearance up the line set the Vipers up for another attack. Quality defending, the tigerish Lewis showing there’s a lot more than awesome tackling to his game. A cat’s whisker past the post saw Rob again unlucky not to score but that didn’t matter to his dad who was jumping around on the sidelines. Lewis Keenan and Harry came on and it didn’t take long before Lewis showed a great touch before forcing a fine save from the keeper after a great shot. But Lewis was unstoppable moments later, when Harry whipped in a fantastic corner from the right that Lewis Keenan meets with a brave and bullet-like header to smash the ball into the back of the net. What a goal! 1-0. Good tracking back from Adam and surely a call for goaline technology at Monkton as another Vipers’ attack seemed to have the ball over the line but the ref waived play on. An excellent 1-2 between Jack and Rob whose slide rule pass split the defenders but the Vipers just couldn’t turn their advantage into the cushion of a second goal. Next, in the week that saw Halloween and Bonfire Night, a penalty nightmare against the Reds in the dying seconds of the game. The ball put on the muddy spot. The anxious players around the edge of the area. The mams and dads holding their breath. The coaches blood pressure up another couple of notches. Up steps the Pumas’ penalty taker and cracks a great shot. Hard and low to the keepers right and looking like a late, late net-burster to snatch a point that would have been so, so cruel on the Vipers. However, that was before our ‘new’ keeper Jordan ‘the Cat’ decides to launch himself, Superman-like in a full length dive to push the ball away from the goal. Awesome, Jordan! You forgot your cape and the kegs on the outside of yer trackie bottoms but is it true you get changed in a telephone box? And for any Black Cats’ supporters still feeling a little bruised after last week’s derby humiliation, if you want to know how good the save was, think Tommy Sorensen at St James’ Park way back in the year 2000 to deny Alan Shearer and the rest of the Toon Army rabble a precious equalizer. The ref has just enough time to blow the full-time whistle and send Jordan’s team mates wild. Wow! What an unbelievable end to a terrific match. Well done Lads! Final Score: 1-0.
