Lost 2-6
Scorers: Geordie Hayward, John Aikin
MoM: Barry Thomas
DoD: not awarded
With thanks to team sponsor MFri
With 3 players off games due to Valentine promises, one birth & one injury a threadbare 12 faced up to a much younger Holcombe team. Indeed the Friars Dept of Statistics (Jonesy), produced the following: our average age was above 59. Age range was 55 with 1 in the 20’s, 1 in the 40’s, 4 in the 50’s, 3 in the 60’s , 2 in the 70’s & 1 in the 80’s, so no change there.
However 10 minutes in we were a goal down from a PC which to most players including an umpire on the pitch went in high but the other disagreeing so the “goal” stood. Holcombe then scored – this time well taken. There were Friars forays into the Holcombe end and a hard hit goal from Geordie Hayward from the top of the D got the Friars onto the scoreboard (not before time many would say as he is meant to be a forward). After another Holcombe goal the same player hit the post, the ball rebounded and Barry Thomas following in had a Holcombe foot block his shot. John Aikin (for it is he) then despatched the resultant flick and the flurry of goals meant it was 2-3 at the break.
In the absence of our iconic manager P Dowling his mid field supremo bro Guy took on coaching duties telling the Friars they were playing as well as they could-thanks Guy!
Barry T then went into overdrive and many were his efforts and shots on goal. However all this led him to exclaim that he needed a breather & improve his fitness as the ball disappeared upfield. James Blackburn put in a serious shift on his old home pitch putting up with some banter from old Holcombe colleagues including the umps!
The relentless pressure from the 14 Holcombe players in the end told with 3 more goals and whilst they deserved their win a 6-2 flashing lights scoreboard flattered them, but thankyou to Gary Wyver for a sterling effort between the sticks.
Still we all cheered up as Sir Geoffrey over an excellent pasta and beer regaled us with his hilarious planning and bureaucratic battles against the vindictive blockheads of Thanet District Council.