Game 18, April 12
YC&AC Over 35s 4 v Midorigaoka 4
The Silver Machine was on the receiving end of one of the great comebacks in football history on April 12 when Midorigaoka rallied from 4-1 down in the final quarter to finish on level terms and leave the home fan furiously wagging its tail and barking its disapproval. Not since, oo, November 2007, when Korean Connection came back from 5-3 down in the final quarter to triumph 7-5, have we been so completely and utterly comebacked upon.
When will we ever learn? Could it be that Captain Sada will need to rethink his selection strategy next season and bring in a bit more experience?
Ominously, in an e-mail a few days after the game, Sada described our performance in the fourth quarter—in particular that of our “big hole” of a midfield—as “pathetic”. We have been warned.
Daylight Lobbery
They’re likeable opposition, Midorigaoka. Not quite Marinos Papas or Johnson & Johnson likeable, but likeable enough. To a man usually well over 35, these boys take the game seriously but never get niggly or unnecessary or quickly to the byline, and they’ve got just enough about them to make our inevitable victory feel hard-earned.
From the start here we tore into the old devils, knocking the ball about nicely and scoring freely—once Alan Plater had opened the floodgates for us anyway. “He shot over the goalie’s head when he came out from the goal mouth,” Sada reminded me in the same e-mail quoted above. “It was about 25 meter shot, a good one.” “1st goal was mine,” Alan nonchalantly concurred. “Lobbed over the keeper from about 25 yards.”
Our second goal came from me, a power header (honest) from 10 yards at the PBSE following a great Martin Hornung run and cross. Jogging in between the two central defenders I leaped, hung in the air for a second, then gave it what for with the full force of my forehead. The keeper just got a hand to it, but such was the strength of the header that the ball bent back his fingers, snapping them, before accelerating into the back of the net.
Goal three was a Martin Hornung humdinger. It came at the SPE, a spanking left-footed drive from 14 yards after a trademark surging run down the right and sudden 90 degree change of direction close to goal. Martin’s shot narrowly found the gap between the right post and the horribly flapping fingertips of the brave Midorigaoka keeper.
Shortly afterwards a rampant YC&AC struck a fourth. Somebodyorother slipped Alan through for a one on one with old Floppy Fingers. The poor chap got down ever so well to parry Alan’s flick, but our striker quickly latched on to the rebound and mercilessly rammed the ball home.
4-1. Out of sight!
Before I describe the horrors that then ensued, what we all need here is a picture break. So, building on the resounding success that was the Caption Competition earlier in the season (zero entries), here’s another little brain teaser for you all. Name the famous Over 35 footballer walking in the centre of the picture below. First person to “comment” with the correct answer gets to wear the imaginary opal-studded “Football Brain of YC&AC” belt until the next quiz.
And back to the report.
Newly anointed MIP Stephane Laure Martin set the tone for what followed with un but contre son camp absolutely bloody incroyable. One of their lads had punted a hopeful cross into the box from the right at the SPE, fortuitously as it transpired picking out an unmarked Stephane at the far stick. Stephane had enough time to light himself a cigarette, smoke it, juggle the ball a few times on his shoulders and clear with a bicycle kick, but chose instead to turn the ball into the net first time with his knee. A sadly smiling Stephane explained afterwards that the ball had bobbled up on him at the crucial moment. You could see that.
Tetes up, lads!
Alas, 4-2 is a very different scoreline from 4-1, especially when it soon becomes 4-3. Suddenly Midorigaoka were all over us like flies on a Kobe cowpat and it was no surprise when the pests struck their fourth. It all happened that quickly. And no doubt it could have been worse. My notes say that Trevor Burton-Towell was once again excellent in goal.
By Alex Hendy
Squad: Most of the usual
Goals: Alan Plater (2), Alex Hendy, Martin Hornung
Man of the match: N/A
Referees: They do seem to have improved
Cards: I think both Stephane and Tom got booked in this one.
Attendance: Alan’s dog
