Viper Yellows went into the game against the leading team in the division, the Vipers, on a roll having been beaten just once this season. The Vipers risked their 100% record against an ever improving yellows team. The scene was set. The pitch passed its inspection, the grass had been cut, but it still looked like a battlefield and as such, a battleplan was put into action by the Yellows. Goalkeeper Adam Wardle was the Guardsman guarding the goal. Harvey Oliver, the Challenger tank, ready to gun down the opposition. Jack McBride, like an SAS soldier was, as ever ready to wreak havoc, confusion and mayhem behind enemy lines. Lewis Watson and John Young were like a pair of Apache attack helicopters, ready to pick off the Vipers and use their firepower to devastating effect. Callum Chambers was head of logistics, supplying the attack with balls for goals. The subs, Stan Smith and Jack Barry, were the paratroopers, ready to parachute in and save the situation at any time. Of course every battleplan needs a leader. Field Marshall Jak Glendenning was that man, ready to lead his troops into battle and fight to the very end. He certainly was not in any mood to take any prisoners. Yellows kicked off and charged forward. Young had the first kick on goal, but it wasn't long before Yellows were forced on the back foot. Callum Chambers kicking the ball off the line. Watson went on the attack, supplying McBride with a chance on goal, only to be denied by the Vipers keeper. At the other end, Wardle was kept busy in goal, keeping the Vipers at bay and Oliver's solid defensive work was certainly impressive, but it was a majestic save that Wardle made to tip the ball over the bar that had the crowd in awe. All wars produce casualties, and this one was no different. Watson, as ever, was in charge in midfield when a stray bit of mud flew into his eye. He was blinded. Watson could, of course, carried on with no vision as he instinctively knows where the goal is and can still run rings around the opposition-sight or no sight. Yellows couldn't risk him and Jack Barry parachuted in. Watson refused to be stretchered off. Football is a mans game and Watson left the field with his head held high. Watson's war was over, or was it? The Vipers took advantage of Watson's absence, with a simple tap into goal. Glendenning had held the line with honour, but the defensive wall had been breached. The Yellows team captain was disappointed but was also adamant that it wasn't going to be breached again. Wardle backed his captain with more saves. Half time came and it was time to regroup. Yellows could've dropped their heads at the beginning of the second half. 1-0 down and one of their star players injured was not good news. Glendenning now had a massive responsibility on his shoulders, but the Yellows captain has massive shoulders and was not beaten yet. Good news came from the sidelines as Watson's vision was restored. He came back on immediately. Like a wounded lion, he was hungrier than ever to prove a point. McBride had been chasing lost causes all afternoon and could've given up due to exhaustion, but he fought on with pride and dignity. He chased onto a ball that was lost, but rescued it on the by-line. He held it up just long enough for Watson to catch up to him before unselfishly passing the ball with pinpoint accuracy. All Watson had to do was score. Sounds easy, but with impaired vision and the Vipers closing in on him it looked an impossible task. Like a phoenix from the flames, he kept his composure to strike the ball. The ball was more like a cruise missile locked onto its target. It exploded into the top right hand corner. 1-1. Watson doesn't score super goals. He only sores the spectacular. Yellows could hardly catch their breath before Wardle had to stretch his frame to tip over another shot on goal.
Stan Smith had a run on goal before Jack Barry shot just wide. Yellows were forced into a tactical withdrawal to the rear trenches. Wardle, was not going to let anyone get the better of him. He kept on producing save after save. Three goals could have gotten the better of him, but this is a boy in form. Defeat is a word that Wardle does not understand. He only understands commitment, sacrifice and never-say-die. John Young relieved the pressure on Wardle by shooting a free kick on target, only to see it get saved. There was one final chance for Vipers as a cross went begging in front of the Vipers goal. Smith just couldn't stretch enough to get on the end of it. Full time.
This was a game of epic status. Watson's commitment to the cause was commendable and Oliver was solid and dependable as ever, but it was Adam Wardle's relentless refusal to give up on his team that shone through. All football teams need a good keeper. The Vipers Yellows don't have that. They have a FANTASTIC keeper! congratulations on being man of the match.
