Squad:

 

 

 

Lawrence 

Jim

Colin

Rob

Grant

Kevin

George

Les

Rich

Paul

 

 

 

 

Blythe Spirit is according to Wikipedia an improbable farce in three acts, all intents and purposes a comic play, knock off the B and you get a whole different meaning albeit played over just two halves and all rather unpleasant.

 

 

 

This was a shocking advertisement for walking football, straight from the kick off Colin was clattered from behind only to have been adjudged to have been running! The second decision also left us scratching our heads as another tackle from behind left us defending another free kick, it was going to be a long night. Shortly after this the high pitched whining claims of he’s running and he’s running began. Rather than concentrating on making the correct decision and enforcing the rules of walking football our referee seemed to be more inclined to want to argue with the players and especially Gordon on the sideline, threatening to remove him from the stadium (yes good luck with that) it went something like this ……..

 

 

 

Ref – I’d like to have an argument please   

Gordon – Certainly sir have you been here before?

Ref – No I haven’t this is my first time

Gordon – I see. Well, do you want to have one argument or was you thinking of taking a course?

Ref – What is the cost?

Gordon –  Well, it’s one pound for a five minute argument but only eight pounds for a course of ten.  

Ref – Well, I think it would be best if I started with just the one and then see how it goes.

 

 

 

Etc etc, surmise to say I think he was ultimately arguing in his own time.

 

 

 

Anyway to the action, the pitch although being an excellent surface to play on was extremely tight and if you ventured in to the top right hand corner you did well to avoid the kings head! We did find it difficult to get going as there was precious little space to play in and we suffered accordingly losing possession twice to concede goals, sandwiched in between by yet another goal from Colin, two one down at the break. George Graham was always adept at altering the pitch size to stifle the opposition, it worked a treat last night.

 

 

 

The start of the second half saw us playing our best football of the night, we at last got our passing going and scored the goal of the game, some great hold up play from George as he teed up Kevin to equalize with an unstoppable first time drive. Tempers flared as the half continued, it could be the pitch dimensions meaning players were constantly on top of each other, maybe just the lack of a whistle being blown for over enthusiastic challenges or just more likely the leading protagonist being allowed to literally run the roost, kicking opponents and feigning innocence, claiming our players were putting on injuries after yet another bad tackle, thankfully our club is free of such individuals. A quick read of the rule book as the most basic knowledge and understanding of walking football rules and regulations was sadly lacking from official and players alike. We were alas to leave without any points as we conceded a corner and an unfortunate own goal which seemed to me to go in with a fair amount of pressure from behind. Strive as we might we just couldn’t get the leveler although it wasn’t for the lack of effort, the true loser on the night was walking football. 

 

 

 

This was our first visit in a couple of years to Hartsdown and it would seem very little has changed in the meantime.

 

 

 

Thanks to some great support from Tony Old, Gordon and Mark and to the whole squad for largely playing within the spirit of the game, also to Margate for their hospitality.