Hand of Buddha Denies the Fives

Game 15, March 22

YC&AC Over 35s 2 v Seizan Kickers 2

In terms of man-for-man ability, this was a game the Over 35s should have won handsomely, but which ended controversially in a draw after the opposition’s best player clearly controlled the ball with his hand before sliding in a late equalizer.

Shame, because like their namesake Paul, Seizan had otherwise made a good impression.

The Cardplayers, by Paul Cézanne (1892)

A genuinely friendly and non-confrontational bunch, the Kickers even brought us a pennant. (I wonder now if the Seizan of their name isn’t the Seizan of Jodo Shu Buddhism. [Justin?])

YC&AC’s goals came from me, a left-footed putt across the keeper that broke ten times before dribbling into the bottom right hand corner following battling work from Mika Niemi on the edge of the box, and from Tom Chambers, who crashed the ball home through a crowd of legs following a corner.

Not too much else to say about this one really. How about a quote, and a not inappropriate one in the circumstances, from another famous Frenchman (sort of), Albert Camus? For those who don’t already know, Camus was a decent goalkeeper in his day, having played in goal for Racing Universitaire Algerios (RUA) before a nasty dose of TB ended his career prematurely.

“After many years during which I saw many things, what I know most surely about morality and the duty of man I owe to sport and learned it in the RUA.”

There.

By Alex Hendy

Squad: Ed turned up a bit late, so we had just ten shortly before kick off. Many thanks to boy-about-Club Nick (surname?) for stepping up at the last moment and doing a grand job for us in goal.

Goals: Alex Hendy, Tom Chambers

Man of the match: I can’t find my notes. May get back to you.

Cards: None

Attendance: I don’t rightly recall