Saturday October 2, 12:15
Over 35s 1 v Firsts/Secunds 2
How many YC&AC Second Team players does it take to change a lightbulb?
None, they’re used to living in the shadows.
The last two matches between YC&AC’s premier football outfit, the Over 35s, and the Club’s second team, the Secunds, have been close-fought affairs, with little if anything to show between the two sides except for the Over 35s’ all-round superiority and the sheer good fortune of the shadow dwellers.
In October 2009 the Silver Machine was 3-2 in front with just five minutes to go when Karl Hahne popped up in a crowded box and leveled things. Worse, in April this year, the Number Twos’ Matt Wallace struck the only goal of a game dominated by the Fives with barely a minute left to play. A classic case of candlelight robbery.
Perhaps fearing their remarkable run of luck was about to come to an end, on October 2 the Seconds fielded a side half-full of First teamers, among them Dickie Philo, Russ Philp, Ben Montgomery, Simon Carden, Some Other Bloke and Another Chap. All rather disheartening.
The difference in quality, strength and pace from what we are used to from the Seconds was so glaring at the start that we had to shield our eyes and back away. Our defense appeared dazzled any time the ball was lofted into the box. Crosses from the wings that would normally be hacked high into the Yaguchidai sky by our trusty defenders were either ignored entirely or deferentially presented for stuffing into the back of the net. The game was at its first interval by the time our eyes had adjusted to the light, and in the circumstances we were pleased to come in at just 0-2 down.
Revolution, No. 9
Showing the character and team spirit that sets the Over 35s apart from other football teams, we went out second quarter on the offensive. And thrillingly our determination was rewarded early on when a long Chris Harrington throw was flicked on by one of their lads before falling in super slow motion to an unmarked Simon Warburton at the far stick. Our would-be No. 9 timed his leap like a wise old dog on the day’s 10th choccie treat and gobbled up the chance. 1-2.
The goal seemed completely to transform the game.
For the rest of this match we were really very good indeed, snapping into tackles, passing the ball around patiently and probing for the openings. Chances were hard to come by, but on a couple of occasions we might just have equalized. Released down the inside left channel, Andy Barrett shot narrowly wide when he might have squared to an unmarked Alan Plater or No. 17 arriving in the box, and the same No. 17 later hit the crossbar with a cunning left-foot lob over the keeper.
The Seconds meanwhile played their football on the counter, which with their pace and passing skills was at times an effective strategy. We defended from the front however, with the aforementioned Andy and Alan putting in tireless shifts, and at the back held a line that caught the Seconds offside time and time again. When the opposition did break through our defensive ranks, Greg Lyon in goal was more than their equal, rushing out to block at feet and pulling off two or three outstanding saves.
1-2 it finished, then. Well played the Seconds, but even better played the Fives. Once again we can consider ourselves unlucky not to have got anything out of this game, except of course for the usual feeling of moral superiority that is part and parcel of being a Five.
By Alex Hendy
Goals: Simon Warburton
Tullett Prebon Man of the Match: Greg Lyon
Referee: Very good
Attendance: Double figures
