The Lives and Times of a Sunday League Team Part II
By Clare Bagnall
Monday 2nd November 2009
Monday 2nd November 2009
You can’t really complain too much when one of the two teams you’re supporting this season is at the top of their table. When Manchester United fail one, Why Not? at least, are extremely dependable. With staggering wins in all games so far, it is the team’s positive attitude that shines through. Subs praise the determination that makes their team charge forward even though they are already winning 5-2; others declare “three points, nothing else will do…apart from maybe one point…”. Indeed.
The second game of the season was played against Beavers, who could do little to dam the flow of goals finding their way into the back of the net. Pre-game apprehension was increased by the absence of Rhys, the captain, who was travelling that morning from some mysterious “islands” (a genuine place? or a state of mind for pre-match contemplation?). As helicopters flew over the sports centre, hopes of the captain parachuting down to the pitch were raised. In reality he arrived just before kick-off, and the team being complete, the game was underway. Sports psychology seemed to play a major role in Beavers’ game plan – forceful and violent tackles (explained by one Why not? player by demonstrative, aggressive, elbow jabbing) coupled with Viking roars. However such tactics did little, and by the end of the game, they had lost 7-1, thanks to goals from Chris Gabe, and Will, assisted by Duncan. Another five goals were slipped into the back of the net by Chris Rees, despite a temporary identity crisis caused by not wearing the infamous number 7 shirt…which he was in fact wearing at the time. Once again the team’s defence was solid – Rhys and Ry creating an almost impenetrable wall of manliness, which was only added to by Ry’s pink hat, as he fearlessly marched through the opposition before the game. Sideline banter was, as ever, at an all time high, with support gaining a 50% increase as Why Not?’s fame spreads. There were great palms from Palmer, players leaping like salmon, and discussion on whether Chris Rees was as quick as an antelope or a cheetah.
While the second game of the season was a joy to watch, with great hustle; the third, against Melville Rovers, while providing yet another win by a huge margin, showed a slightly more dispirited team. Maybe they were still suffering from the after-effects of the team social, perhaps it was just too cold, or maybe some players got stuck in the churned-up, knee deep mud of the pitch. Goals that should have been scored by very able players resulted in howling misses, and lapses in defending concentration gave way to two goals being conceded, the most so far. At the same time, play at times was something to behold. Corners put in by Karl, Chris Rees and Duncan resulted in goals and Fais took up the gauntlet and put away four “golazos” with his bright yellow boots. Other highlights included Will heading a goal into the back of the net at the end of the first half, and two goals by Chris Gabe, one from a beautiful free kick given just three minutes before the final whistle blew. The result: 8-2. No reason to complain, by any stretch of the imagination. Conditions were, in the centre of the pitch, somewhat swampy and so play along the wings was called for, something which the team tends to excel at. Karl encouraged and advised the team with his deafening shouts from the sideline, where the United/Liverpool game was being followed with increasing consternation. Karl and your journalist; angry.
The team social, held on the Friday before their third match, provided the handsome young men of the team with the opportunity to suit up and bond over a drink or two. Ex-players, non-players, rivals, fans, wannabe WAGs (the first real sign of football success…) and your journalist, also went along to the flat of select team members: a flat which would have been the envy of many a professional football player. Much was drunk; accusations of being “angry” were thrown around; and inappropriate comments made. In conclusion, good times, which all-in-all bode well for the rest of the season. Weekly wins, and weekly socials to celebrate, could well be on the cards.
The second game of the season was played against Beavers, who could do little to dam the flow of goals finding their way into the back of the net. Pre-game apprehension was increased by the absence of Rhys, the captain, who was travelling that morning from some mysterious “islands” (a genuine place? or a state of mind for pre-match contemplation?). As helicopters flew over the sports centre, hopes of the captain parachuting down to the pitch were raised. In reality he arrived just before kick-off, and the team being complete, the game was underway. Sports psychology seemed to play a major role in Beavers’ game plan – forceful and violent tackles (explained by one Why not? player by demonstrative, aggressive, elbow jabbing) coupled with Viking roars. However such tactics did little, and by the end of the game, they had lost 7-1, thanks to goals from Chris Gabe, and Will, assisted by Duncan. Another five goals were slipped into the back of the net by Chris Rees, despite a temporary identity crisis caused by not wearing the infamous number 7 shirt…which he was in fact wearing at the time. Once again the team’s defence was solid – Rhys and Ry creating an almost impenetrable wall of manliness, which was only added to by Ry’s pink hat, as he fearlessly marched through the opposition before the game. Sideline banter was, as ever, at an all time high, with support gaining a 50% increase as Why Not?’s fame spreads. There were great palms from Palmer, players leaping like salmon, and discussion on whether Chris Rees was as quick as an antelope or a cheetah.
While the second game of the season was a joy to watch, with great hustle; the third, against Melville Rovers, while providing yet another win by a huge margin, showed a slightly more dispirited team. Maybe they were still suffering from the after-effects of the team social, perhaps it was just too cold, or maybe some players got stuck in the churned-up, knee deep mud of the pitch. Goals that should have been scored by very able players resulted in howling misses, and lapses in defending concentration gave way to two goals being conceded, the most so far. At the same time, play at times was something to behold. Corners put in by Karl, Chris Rees and Duncan resulted in goals and Fais took up the gauntlet and put away four “golazos” with his bright yellow boots. Other highlights included Will heading a goal into the back of the net at the end of the first half, and two goals by Chris Gabe, one from a beautiful free kick given just three minutes before the final whistle blew. The result: 8-2. No reason to complain, by any stretch of the imagination. Conditions were, in the centre of the pitch, somewhat swampy and so play along the wings was called for, something which the team tends to excel at. Karl encouraged and advised the team with his deafening shouts from the sideline, where the United/Liverpool game was being followed with increasing consternation. Karl and your journalist; angry.
The team social, held on the Friday before their third match, provided the handsome young men of the team with the opportunity to suit up and bond over a drink or two. Ex-players, non-players, rivals, fans, wannabe WAGs (the first real sign of football success…) and your journalist, also went along to the flat of select team members: a flat which would have been the envy of many a professional football player. Much was drunk; accusations of being “angry” were thrown around; and inappropriate comments made. In conclusion, good times, which all-in-all bode well for the rest of the season. Weekly wins, and weekly socials to celebrate, could well be on the cards.