CoYHC 5's v Halifax 2's

York 5s v Halifax 2s

The hottest day on record this season for this weeks match report instalment and the final game of the season. 14 players available on pitchero thanks to Nathan Ridsdale and Joel Pearce bringing some youth to the team. Justin Lancelotte picking up the CBA22 virus and opting for some jousting in Manchester!!!.

Retuning for the final hurrah, Ali Birch, how would his feet hold up in the searing heat?
Warm up seemed very leisurely. Banjo strings Gilbert opting to wear a red suspender belt beneath his shorts to keep those strings from twanging. Jonny Scutt late as per the usual and Roz Ramli also later the planned due to poor recollection of the start time, perhaps it’s an age thing. Albeit Jonny had only brought 1 red sock, so had to borrow the other from Paul Rowntree. Not sure where the other red sock was, perhaps a story for another time.

For the final time, shrill of the whistle, sun gleaming down, Halifax must have wondered what that big bright yellow furnace was in the sky as you don’t get that in the Fax. Ball pace key as a arid pitch was the instructions from Captain G. Away York went. Young and much improved Leo Barrett turning one way and then the other, Halifax mesmerised and a slick pass into Captain G and first time shot, 1 nil. Perhaps this was the flood gates opening for York whom had struggled to score many goals all season. Regrettably not as a Halifax seemed to get thru the middle of Yorks defences and get a scrappy leveller. 1-1. Indeed Halifax should have been in the lead was it not for Ali clearing off the line.

York soon pushed again, Banjo Strings able to dribble into the D but the final product let him down as he fluffed his lines and miss queued. Ali with feet still in tact won a PC and slip move to Barnes Wallace Barker whom somehow for the first time this year kept the ball on the deck and in it went between GK and postman 2-1. Yet again Halifax managed to get a leveller with another scrappy goal, York having little luck and Halifax putting up some resistance. York were better then Halifax but the final ball was not quite as it should have been and 2-2 was the half time score.

No oranges imaginary or otherwise. It would appear the modern day sustenance must be fizzy haribo’s as that’s all there was. Water needed in gallons at half time as was the searing heat. York had to be better in the press and if so the game was for the taking.

Second half, Halifax now playing into the sun and still wondering what it could be. Slight reorganisation, 343 formation still in situ, Ali and Nathan swapped sides, Andy Thomson more middle with Joel Pearce playing more midfield. This worked and Yorks press was better. Good interplay between Nathan, Joel and John Barrett down the left with son Leo still twirling this way and that. Banjo strings with suspender belt in tack soon found himself in the 23. Lovely stick skills, the Halifax defence split into pieces and down went the keeper, far too early as banjo too experienced to fall for this, stooped time, looked up lifted the ball neatly into into the net. 3-2.

Soon Captain G had he customary back to goal, but this time rolled himself and like a gazelle chased by a hungry lion romped thru into the D, swing and hit with the ball nestling in the back/side board 4-2 and Halifax had no escape plan. Halifax had managed the odd move into Yorks D with Oli Barron making a great reflex save from close range and banjo strings using all his height to stretch and deflect another.

Captain G changed a brace for a hatrick and 5-2. Only a few minutes remaining , but to make it interesting Jonny was carded followed by Ali with Halifax getting a third from a scrappy PC. Both should have known better. 5-3 was the end and with it another season.

Finally, many people outside hockey when they hear the name George, perhaps think or George son of William and Kate, others think of George Michael, many may think of George from Rainbow with Zippy and Bungle. A few many think of George Ezra or Chicken George. Ladies may think of George Clooney. Kids may think of George from Peppa pig. But whatever your George is, for us in the 5s George will always be Captain George a person whom is a leader of men a man of trust a man of integrity and a man I call a friend.

Thanks Captain G from all your Argonauts - what a journey

Until next year……

Ali