Tuesday 15 June 2021

FRUIT SOURED

13th June 2021 - Pineapple FC 1 v 3 Custys FC - I am in the midst of a swirling, twirling maelstrom of bugs and beasties and am sinking fast into an abyss of utter befuddlement.  I have had a week where I have led 4 activities, done a bit of work, attended to the local football club's strimming and nature area, seen over 300 species of natural specimens and tried to keep on top of other chores.  The heat has contributed to a certain fatigue, I was in need of a good Vitamin C burst.  Up early I checked the fruit bowl, a scabby satsuma, a browning banana and some apples that were as hard as bullets.  Sod it - a trip to Pineapple FC would have to suffice.  The good lady and myself set off, listened to some good tuneage on our trip - bands such as The Epoxies, The Seeds, The Others, Eye Scream Men and Airbomb graced our lugholes before we arrived at the location targeted.  We had a good chat to Sam, the missus of STP Stu - two good friends and with the latter an eager Non-League Ogler.  After locating Stu, refreshments were sought, as were teamsheets which were duly provided by the amiable and welcoming home manager Curtis Lopez. Predictions were discussed,  as per, we were clueless.  The game commenced at 11.30am, our awaiting fruit bowls of interest were hopefully to be filled with a juicy game very much needed.  To switch off, enjoy proper football and hopefully see a few net bulging episodes was the aim, this is how we were sated.

The Custy Crew immediately set out their stall by playing on the deck at the back and looking for a quick penetrating thrust (dirty blighters).  They looked a trifle unsteady, the ball was lost and in pounced the home No 7 (Jawad Jebrin) who had a quick dash, had only the keeper to beat but could only clatter the horizontal - a big chance missed methinks.  The guests countered but No 7's (Marcus Stewart) attempted lob was higher than a hippies trip on souped up acid - hey ma'an, that was way out!

The visiting tribe threatened a few more times, the opposing ranks stood firm with some regulated defensive work.  A wonderful corner came, a header followed and a handball shout went up from the Custy Men.  The referee was having none of it and the chaos was eventually cleared.  The guests continued to donate the more incisive and thoughtful moves but the next attack came the way of the Ananas comosus pack  with Jebrin on it, posting to No 3 (Liam Caddick) who shot and was thwarted by a nimble mittman.  A corner came, the chance was there to bury but was missed and then a quick follow-up attack saw the ball in the box and Caddick do enough to grab the opening goal.

The hosts were now on top but were, in the main, still slightly trigger-shy.  The next chance though soon came.  A through ball saw Jebrin denied by a sprawling keeper and a follow-up dig get blocked by robust outstretched shank.  As the fruity few pushed forth the Custy's Gang bounced back with a quick chip cross finding the rising belfry of Stewart who stayed as cool as a refrigerated cucumber and nutted home with consummate ease.  Now the game was really on.

With the game as well-balanced as the gonads of a sperm laden Giant Haystacks it was difficult to see who would get the next strike,  Semi-chances came and disappeared into the dazzle, the Custy's came close when a ball went out wide, was delivered with teasing quality and No 19's (Liam Smith) noggin was denied at the very last.  The last 10 minutes of the half came, a free-kick for the away team saw the globe boomed, hit the changing room roof and dislodge another ball that was seemingly lost - a boot one, get one free moment.

Before the interval the Pineapple pack squirted with juicy zest.  The thrust saw a low cross get touched goalward and bring a superb one-handed save.  A quick reaction shot came next and the double block was made, well played keeper.

The whistle for the break followed, we tried to cool down and listened to the local lads try to gee themselves up.  The sun was now building up some thermal energy, whoever was going win this one was gonna have to build up a good lather for sure.

From the restart the travelling team gave birth to the first attack.  The break was quick, the ball in sharp with No 8 (Rhys Hardacre) over zealous to get the lead goal and ending up hammering over.  End to end stuff ensued, a Custy's corner saw No 17 (Anthony Miles) receive and send in a peach of a shot that the keeper did mighty well to tip over.  The next corner was akin to the aforementioned hippy - utterly wasted.

Custy's were now on a roll, a dissecting pass was the result of much hustle, the striker breezed through and put in a quite superb finish.  In the heat and the haze I was struggling to pick out the goal-getter's number - it looked like Wilkinson again - I may be wrong.  (To add, I was wrong, it was Stewart again).

The game looked to be slipping away from the home side, it was now time to dig deep and make those last minute decisions count.  The yellow-clad tribe pushed on, but each and every time a threat was had, over elaboration and a failure to shoot marred the whole operation.  Several more balls into the box came for the home lads, the attacking force though seemed to be like a gathering of vampires - they looked shit-scared of the crosses that's for sure.  The industrious No 8 (Leon Arnasalam) did have a couple of pops, albeit straight at the gloved guardian and then the leading team re-settled, a marauding run was made with a strong cross provided saw Wilkinson fly in for but just fail to make contact with.

Time was now the Pine enemy, the closest they came to a strike was when one of their substitutes put in a ball that nearly dropped straight into the onion bag.  The same player put cranium on the sphere from a whistling corner, a save, a trembled upright (ooh err missus) and the danger disappeared.  The scoreline looked set in stone, Custy's recent arrival, Anthony Miles had other ideas.  When the ball was pilfered and he found himself in position from a fair distance out, the keen-eyed marksman had one look, swung the shank and cracked in a real beauty.  If a goal deserved to to sign, seal and deliver the 3 points this was it.  The game now faded, No 12 for the Pining Apples had a lash that was closer than first deemed and then, that was that.

For me a grand trip out, some good effort on show and Man of the Match must go to Pineapple FC's No 7 (Jawad Jebrin) for some steaming effort, great touches, a brilliant buzzing stint and an attitude and commitment to the cause that was a delight to see.  A shame he was on the losing side but I hope this is some consolation.

We duly buggered off home after the game, I reckon, all being well, we will return to this neck of the woods next week too - watch this keen and eager space.

FINAL THOUGHT - A fine day out, a good level of football and at a place trying to do its bit.  Prior to the game a tribe of kids were hoofing and doofing and I passed a comment to one of the organisers (Ricky Heywood take a bow) who was doing grand job. Mr Heywood was the Liverpool FC Pre-Academy/Foundation Coordinator - a solid role making sure many young un's keep fit, inspired and smiling.  This is what it is all about.  Keep at it chap!

To the teams involved in today's game and the Pineapple FC must be ruing the fact that they advanced so many times but dwelt too long on the ball, lacked options and urgency and just let too many chances fizzle away.  What I saw though convinced me of a team more than capable of going on a good roll in this league with some really solid players in the mix.  The key is to do more work off the ball, create space, stretch the opposition and don't dilly-dally when in the opposing box.  Several crosses delivered today were of high quality - the recipients were all absent without leave - something to work on methinks.  Custy's FC came, stayed controlled and conquered.  Over the 90 minute stretch they were the better team, they played with fire at times, especially at the back, but stuck to their game plan and exhibited a high level of discipline.  It was good to see both teams play with fine spirit, to avoid any yellow cards and to just crack on and do their thing - it says a lot about both set ups and their attitude.  

I reckon these two units will be viewed a few more times over the coming seasons, it is good to spread the word and get football from the recesses noted - here's to it.

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