The Beautiful (but very amateur) Game

This weekend was a momentous occasion… my first full game of 11-a-side in over 10 years!

Some of the lads I used to play 5-a-side with (but still work with) arranged a game against a sunday-league team they know. We all vaguely know each other, so it was a fairly relaxed atmosphere, but that didn’t mean the tackles would be any nicer. We lined up in our old-skool Lotto kit that resembled the Juventus home kit of the 80’s and for the 30 seconds before kick off we looked like we had potential. This was clearly a malicious rumour because within 5 passes it was evident that we needed some practice. Despite this we put in a good performance and went in at half time tied at one each, having held our own very well. I was frustrated because of the teams lack of organisation, but it was to be expected from a team who have never played 11-a-side together before. As the second half started we had gone flat and quickly conceded two goals, much to the annoyance of the defence who had been playing well, but had little support. After a few substitutions, myself and the forward decided to change things and drop him back in to the centre of midfield, allowing us to get control of the game with me playing a more defensive role to pick-up their best player who was shifting from side to side to get space. The change quickly made a difference, we dominated the middle of the pitch, broke down their play and began to play some good passing football of our own. It wasn’t long before we scored … or more to the point, before I scored – after a fantastic interception (if I say so myself) I was able to run at the central defenders who both followed our strikers run, leaving me to step through the middle and slot the ball home with my left foot. The score was now 3-2 to them and we were controlling the game. As we pushed on to get the equaliser it was clear that both teams had started to tire, big gaps started to open up on the flanks and their central midfield had disappeared. With 15 minutes to go, and having dominated for the last 20 minutes, we conceded a corner from a mistake at the back. The resulting cross was lobbed in to the back post, headed back across goal, saved by goal keeper and then frustratingly headed back in by their player to make the score 4-2 to them. We knew it was too late for us to get a win, but we pushed on to restore some pride and continually pressured their goal, but with the lack of a target man to dominate the aerial balls our attacks where repelled. With a few minutes to go one of our strikers got through on goal and despite the option of a simple through ball, tried the shot, putting it just wide. This summed up our game, we had been good at everything apart from the final ball or strike on goal. Despite losing we all had a really enjoyable game and received praise from our opponents which was as much as could expect given the circumstance.

After the game we all grabbed a quick shower and headed back to the boozer to watch the second half of the football. It was disappointing to watch Liverpool lose, again, but they did put sausage and chip butty’s on, so that saved me from sobbing in my pint.

Playing 11-a-side again and actually getting a chance to put my mark on the game has sparked my interest in playing more… watch this space.