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REPORTS FOR OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2004
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17th April 2005 : Zou Zou Mastin
(left) finally paid the price for his under
par performances in Mary's Moaners squad. His refusal to shout obscenities
at the referee
24th April 2004 :
Another good nights football tonight at the Leisure Centre with three
teams. Ron, Bryn, Disley, John and Matt formed an extremely strong
Mary's moaners outfit with Karl, Gary, Bud, Martin and Robbie teaming
up. The old Jocko returned fit and ready from China to join Steve
Gerrard, Paul Ramsden, Proudy and myself. Zsu Zsu Mastin sadly failed an early
fitness test and was relegated to referee, a job he graced with great
skill and resilience. If his playing days are under threat maybe the old
hippie has found a new niche. He was of course severely tested by our
resident Scouser but to be fair the boy handled it well. 1st May 2005 : Oh what a night as the lads went head to head literally tonight. Maybe it was something in the air but there were some very physical clashes this evening. Nothing over the top although Karls sliding tackle on Bryn was a bit tasty. A quick apology at the end of the game from Karl did the trick though. Mary's Moaners, Bryn. Ron, Bud, John and Zsu Zsu were on the receiving end of a few drubbings from Robbies team. Robbie was with Matt, Karl and Martin and I don't think I've seen him play better than he did tonight. He did tell me that last week wasn't the start of a goal drought because he had planted a beaut past Ron. Well that might have been true but, this week he did end up goal less but made his mark in other departments including a thudding tackle on the assassin which he may pay for in the near future. Chris was back in my team this week with Steve Hart and Steve Gerrard. I think we just about regained our top ranking tonight with some stunning games. Steve Gerrard whacked in a few classics including one from near half way whilst Steve Hart whacked the bar, the wall, the roof and everything but the goals. Chris looked back to form after his short lay off and slotted in well. Matt was probably the highest scorer tonight, it certainly gave Karls team a lift and Bryn scored well for the Moaners. Chelsea won the league yesterday and City continued their unbeaten run but the big game this week is the second leg of the European Champions (plus runners up, third place and maybe even fourth place if you are in a big country) League second leg clash between Liverpool and Chel$ea. I would love to see Liverpool win it if only to wipe that stupid smile of the Russians face.... come on you scousers 8th May 2005 : Mary's Moaners turned out in force
tonight with Bryn, Ron, John, Zsu Zsu Mastin and guests Matt and Karl.
Steve Gerrard, Chris, Kith Proudfoot, myself plus guests Dan and Robbie
were the opposition. It was obvious that the season was drawing to a
close this weekend with many teams just going through the motions not
being threatened with relegation and out of the running for promotion.
This was the case with my team tonight as we relaxed at the end of
another demanding season. Mary's Moaners spotted their opportunity to
take advantage and generally proved the stronger of the two teams. John
the assassin spent much of the evening on his arse after a
variety of challenges failed to go his way although a later one reduced
Robbie to permanent keeper. Maybe it was this injury that
allowed Scouse Ron to hit two mighty toe enders past him from great
distance. Steve and Proudy soldiered on to try and keep us in the 15th May 2005 : The last day of the Premiership
season proved too strong an attraction tonight, with even Robbie
deserting in order to bear witness to the Baggies startling eleventh
hour escape. With only 8 die-hard and ageing vets turning out for the
usual Sunday night joust, two teams were formed, adjusted slightly after
a couple of games, leaving Bryn, Chris, Stevie Hart and Nigel to take
their chances against Zsu Zsu, Scouse Ron, John Boy and a newly-returned
Kevin. Bryns team turned in the superior performance despite varying
tactics from Zsu Zsus squad, including a brief experiment with Scouse
Rons concept of Static Football, a variant on the Total Football
introduced by the Dutch squad in the 70s, which involved no movement
from the gifted phantom but much gobbing off. Attempts to achieve a
mid-session transfer to enable Ronnie's unusual talents to be equitably
shared came to nothing, and Zsu Zsu departed the session with death
threats from the troubled Scouser ringing in his ears about his team
selection capabilities, an issue which is likely to be brought up at the
next AGM. Malc's playmaking skills were sadly missed tonight but
no doubt he will re-emerge from his Asian excursion in a fortnight a
year older and a few pounds heavier. 22nd May 2005 : Again a poorly turnout with just
eight ageing masters turning up to display their velvety skills. Stevie
Hart, Nigel and Scouse Ron were missing following their exertions last
week, but Bud, Steve Gerrard and Danny turned up to create two four-man
squads, with Bryn's team of Chris, Danny and Bud proving superior on the
night, only losing the whole evening's tournament to a dodgy call of
Golden Goal by Zsu Zsu in the last few minutes. Best players on the
pitch were the two benches put down in the goals as the last line of
defence. 29th May 2005 : So much has happened since my last
game with the vets, a holiday in the sun over in Turkey, my last
birthday before my sixtieth and a shed load of top football. Liverpool's
win in Istanbul was amazing - people from all over the country have
shared with great pride this tremendous performance by our most
successful club side. Not even Abramovich's millions could buy a
European Champions League Trophy and let's hope that it remains that way
because spirit and the will to win has no price. That same spirit was
evident down at the Leisure centre tonight as the old giffers battled it
out with a great show of non stop gritty action. 5th June 2005 : No more football until next season
although the back pages are full of transfer speculation and
misdemeanours mainly by Chelsea. That nice Mr Glazier has taken control
of Man Uni£ed which should brighten things up around OT, hold on to your
wallets you reds it's going to be an expensive ride from now on. 12th June 2005 : Watching the Masters Football on
Sky TV today convinced me that no player ever wants to give up competing
at this great sport. Peter Beardsley, Peter Beagrie, Dean Windass,
Craig Hignet, John Hendrie, Marco Gabbiadini and company put on a great
show just for the chance to play the game in the spirit that it was
intended for. Just like the old pro's our boys turn out week in week out
and roll back the years just for the love of the game. I wasn't really
fit enough tonight, a bit of lateral knee ligament trouble, but after
watching the masters I couldn't resist turning out. I played in goal for
Michael Jackson, Guy Lowndes, Robbie and Martin. Bryn, Scouse Ron,
Disley and Karl made up the second squad with Steve Hart, Steve Gerrard,
Chris, Keith Proudfoot and Paul the final team. Steve Hart's team set
off like a steam roller with Proudy and Steve Gerrard netting at will.
It wasn't until well into the session that their gallop was halted when
Robbie defied all odds by scoring with a suicidal header leaving him
flat on his back as the ball eluded the keeper. They then threw
everything except the kitchen sink at Robbie's team, hitting the post,
the bar and me but, we hung on for a famous win. Bryn's team then came
into their own with Disley in particular whacking in some fine strikes.
Chris was back this week looking a little rusty, his first goal arrived
five minutes before the end. Martin Wilde played very well this evening,
and Karl enjoyed his run out in a decent side but with Zsu Zsu in
Ireland and myself stuck in nets, there was a distinct lack of
playmakers on show. Plenty of running and endeavour and more than a
smattering of style but playmaking is an art which isn't appreciated
until the playmasters are absent, 'nough said.... |
and opposing players coupled with his sense of fair play was
more than his team mates could endure. Thankfully the old hippie made a miraculous
recovery in time for this weeks session. Three teams this week with Zsu Zsu
joining Bryn, Scouse Ron, Disley and John. Karl, Dave, Matt, Malcolm
Stubbs
and
Robbie made up the second team leaving Keith Proudfoot, Rick,
Nigel, Martin and myself in the final team. Things got off to a
good start with the first three
games ending all square and to
be honest most of the games tonight were pretty close. Early
doors saw Bryn take on a playmaking role with some tasty passes that I
would have been chuffed
to make myself. Maybe all the years watching Zsu Zsu and
me setting the
standards have at last influenced the Staly striker. Ron was
back
tonight recovered from his knee injury and
Malcolm Stubbs made a welcome
return. Karl ended up in a strong team for a change and seemed to enjoy himself. Robbie continues his meteoric rise in goal scoring notching a
brace past Martin Wilde in one of the later games - can this be a sign
that the Baggies will indeed escape relegation or will it turn out to be
a false dawn. With
the transfer window about to be reopened shortly I
can see a rush of activity to acquire the wee fella's signature.
Next week should see the return of our old Jocko from China, hopefully
laden with contracts and if Chris and Steve Gerrard are sufficiently
rested my team will be back up to full strength and ready to re
establish ourselves at the top of the order.
running with some fine strikes but it was to no avail as Matt Karl and
Bryn rattled in the goals. With my May holiday starting next week,
avoiding injury was top of my list and thankfully I met my target.
Poor old Robbie was feeling the pressure of the Baggies fight for
survival which will be decided next Sunday and the boy will be there to
witness it. The glorious Blues of Manchester are also playing an
important game at the weekend against Boro' and the prize for the
winners is a place in Europe, a stunning achievement after some of the
early season dross. Well done to Liverpool this week and let's hope the
"mickey mousers" behave themselves in Istanbul and the team give us
another English club winner in the competition. So no report next week
but I have sought the services of a guest writer of great flair.