buddie

Everyone turned up and the youngsters got a bit of a skelping in the end. Think it would be a decent shout to mix up the sides a bit next week.

Calum accepted!

The auld yins have been decimated! Only 6 of us left! Need to be doing some wheeling and dealing before kickoff?

No worries, I'll be there.

What a,mess here lol is it 17 16 or 15. From ready if Sean pulls out and Ian plays that's 16. Stef your barred from being in charge lol

A jam-packed midweek International football calendar occurred last night, and coincided with my return to the B&WA 8s fold at The Thunderdome* after a few weeks away, where I lined up in the bright tangerine of the oldies.

Oh the humanity!

However, and given that the youngsters’ goal was in semi-darkness owing to temporary ‘floodlight failure’, this was perhaps apt as Mr Zo and I discussed the merits of us oldies swapping ends, given that we couldn’t really see the goals we were ultimately aiming for…

And to kick off! The oldies started stronger, and this was demonstrated consummately as Brian C burst down the right wing in the first few minutes, before arching over the most delicious of crosses for me to run on to and volley home without breaking stride – a move that could have been given a monetary value by art historians, such was its simple-yet-breathtaking beauty. And breathtaking it must have been…

… as the next ten minutes or so saw the youngsters take control of the game with more incisive passing (Dougiy et al) and finishing (particularly big Mark and big Fraser) than that on show from their more senior cohorts, who struggled to get anywhere near the ball. The oldies played as if they had one eye on a big cup tie at the weekend, where simple passes failed to find their targets and the final ball in the opposition territory never appeared to cause any hurt to the youngsters' goal. Big Ian B and I feckin’ up a 2 v 1 sums this up as his pass to me for a tap in fell just behind me, and as I stopped to readjust I lost my footing, slicing the ball over the bar from about three yards out. The oldies did have their moments, just not enough of them.

The youngsters ran out comfortable winners in the end, and what is apparent is that there is good camaraderie throughout the squad and the game is played akin to swimming in Highland Park and Talisker (in good spirits…).

On a personal note, my neck is still in absolutely agony today after my sweeper-keeper antics involved breaking up an attack and setting up one, only for an attempted block on my forward pass resulting in my head cushioning the fall of the opposition (name?).

So, to MOTM no real stand outs from the oldies unfortunately, which is not surprising given the crushing defeat. Luke in goals was again outstanding, and the attacking players banging in the goals left, right and centre would also have been worthy nominees. The writer’s vote goes to Mark K who broke up attack after attack, and always picked out a pass. He could’ve played with that favourite of the Cuban cigar portfolio, a Montecristo No. 2, such was his performance level, and it appears to have been backed up in Teamer given his 4 votes from 8 thus far. Well played!!

*Teamer venue change from The Feegiedome

I don't know what I look forward to most. Playing on a Wednesday or reading Craigs match report the following day. :-)

think guys like yourself who get last min calls shouldn't be shunted to the bottom of the pile for for following week.

I know we keep saying this but yet another brilliant game of football tonight with the oldies edging a thrilling game by one goal. Luke Jolly between the sticks for the youngsters was in outstanding form and was my man of the match. Roll over Div there is a new cat between the sticks.
Everyone attended this week (thanks Fraser).

So, last night saw my welcome (in my opinion… ) return to the infamous Black & White Army 8-a-side arena, and was also my first game this year in Scotland.
The ball was an official Euro ’12 Tango match ball but, unfortunately, was a little on the soft side.
And so, to the game… the ball was kicked deep in to the half defended by the bibs (who started off with 7) and I sent it back with the game’s first shot on goal; a shot on target well saved by the non-bibbed goalkeeper. A sign of things to come for not only me, but the rest of those adorned by bright orange.
The bibs were not the only eye-catching attire on display with big Mark’s size further embellished by this season’s third kit in its entirety (it was difficult to ‘mark’ him without sunglasses), an Adelaide Crows Aussie rules kit ( ) and Richard’s Darth Vader / Batman tribute to arm armour.
The non-bibs took the lead ten minutes in, just as a eighth bibbed-player took to the pitch, and a lead by a few goals was soon established – their defensive robustness accentuated by the physical presence of Messrs Montgomery, Hanley and Zo, which provided the counter-attacking platform for big Mark, big Ian and Brian C.
However, the lead at this stage was primarily due to the high goal / shot ratio – the bibs had peppered the opposition goal with shots which were just missing the target, being heroically-blocked or brilliantly-saved. Some of my team appeared to play with a paint brush and palette in their hands, such was the flair and artistry of the football at times.
The game continued in this custom but goals were then scored by both sides with more frequency. Goal of the game was scored by Ian Craig (thanks, REA) of the bibs* when he curled one from the 20 yards out on the left right in to the postage stamp.
The consensus at full-time was that the score was level, perhaps a fair reflection of the game.
MOTM? A few performances merit a mention, but for some spectacular saves and blocks that would make a Fuji Tree Frog yoga-enthusiast look on incredulously, and for good, early distribution, my nomination goes to the bibbed goalkeeper Luke. Well played, sir!
I had quite the swollen ankle after the game (historic chocolate ankle) but thanks to the miracles of modern-day science-in-sport, I was able to temper the swelling. That is, Quorn ‘mince’ was used instead of frozen peas…

We should maybe have a once a year 5-a-side tournament, 8 random teams of 5, divide the dome into two horizontal pitches and book it for a few hours.
Then go to the pub afterwards

If the reports are accurate, we might just have signed a guy who has played at a very high level. We are a parochial club with a core support of around 2,500 - 3,000 punters. I like the idea of us managing to bring in player with a bit of pedigree from time to time. Every signing is a punt, but some are a bit more intriguing than others. I'm all for a bit of intrigue.

Alright guys, this is one of Luke's pals, michael, who played the other night and was wanting to know if you could add us to the team please.
Cheers

A big thanks to Luke and the lads for playing last night.

Invites for next weeks game have now been issued. This based on the 16 who played two weeks ago.
Welcome to Calum and Ross who have both joined the squad.
The 16 that have been invited please as usual respond as quickly as you can !

They've confirmed now, 3 of my mates playing so that's the 16.

They've confirmed now, 3 of my mates playing so that's the 16.

It's still a very tight league for this stage of the season.
If we win 2 we could easily be breathing down the necks of Dundee Utd and St Johnstone again who are in 5th and 6th.
I can't remember a tighter season than this.
It'll probably come down to bottle and whose goes first.
We've got a few very tough games coming up though.

Wonder if this rumour had anything to do with our skipper's vastly improved performance yesterday?
A wake up call that he's out of contract at the end of the season and increasingly being seen as damaged goods?

Rain has stopped.

First time in the team guys, what's the price per game?

£5 a head

Fallon isn't great by any means but he'd fall into the Parkin category of being cheap and taking a bit of pressure off of Thommohawk .

I would also prefer him with a heart beat as I think he plays a bit better

Apparently the deal will see Adam
Rooney come to us on loan.