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Football Crazy
Aug. 23rd, 2021 11:27 pmLondon on Saturday for Clapton Community v CB Hounslow United Reserves. Had been craving fried chicken all week, so on the walk through Walthamstow called in at Chick Cottage. First class chicken and fries.
The rain during the week had had many of us wondering if we'd be back in the 3G cage again, but happily we were finally playing on the Stray Dog again. A chat with one of the guys at the front table. Said hello to Paul and talked about last week's game and the impending match with Simon before making my way round to the Brigata behind the far goal. Finding a spot to stand in was a tad awkward with us all packed into a fairly tight spot but I managed to stick to a spot covered enough by a tree to keep off the occasional spit of rain. The Brigata kept up a constant stream of songs as usual. Among our number was a guy in a replica 1950s West Brom shirt.
The game was insane. CB went into the lead twice, CCFC equalised each time, from then on the Tons were always in the lead. CCFC were awarded three penalties and scored them all (one of them a retake after being saved first time). There was a 22 man brawl in the closing minute of the match after two CB players hauled one of ours to the ground. The final score was 8-6. Two pink flares went up in celebration.
Yesterday popped over hoping to see my friend Stacy Niven play for United Services Portsmouth Women in a friendly. I was due to have my photo taken as I'm Stacy's player sponsor. Both the club secretary and Stacy, alas, proved to be absent but the secretary suggested by text that I ask to have my pic done with the whole team. Manager Charley was happy to arrange a quick photo with the girls. Mission accomplished.
It was another venue with nowhere to sit so I stood behind the goal USP were attacking each half, allowing me some shelter from the sun under a tree in the second half. USP won 7-4. Went to wave a quick goodbye to Charley at the final whistle then headed straight for the ferry to find a cold drink.
Home for an evening of Bob Dylan concert footage on telly.
The rain during the week had had many of us wondering if we'd be back in the 3G cage again, but happily we were finally playing on the Stray Dog again. A chat with one of the guys at the front table. Said hello to Paul and talked about last week's game and the impending match with Simon before making my way round to the Brigata behind the far goal. Finding a spot to stand in was a tad awkward with us all packed into a fairly tight spot but I managed to stick to a spot covered enough by a tree to keep off the occasional spit of rain. The Brigata kept up a constant stream of songs as usual. Among our number was a guy in a replica 1950s West Brom shirt.
The game was insane. CB went into the lead twice, CCFC equalised each time, from then on the Tons were always in the lead. CCFC were awarded three penalties and scored them all (one of them a retake after being saved first time). There was a 22 man brawl in the closing minute of the match after two CB players hauled one of ours to the ground. The final score was 8-6. Two pink flares went up in celebration.
Yesterday popped over hoping to see my friend Stacy Niven play for United Services Portsmouth Women in a friendly. I was due to have my photo taken as I'm Stacy's player sponsor. Both the club secretary and Stacy, alas, proved to be absent but the secretary suggested by text that I ask to have my pic done with the whole team. Manager Charley was happy to arrange a quick photo with the girls. Mission accomplished.
It was another venue with nowhere to sit so I stood behind the goal USP were attacking each half, allowing me some shelter from the sun under a tree in the second half. USP won 7-4. Went to wave a quick goodbye to Charley at the final whistle then headed straight for the ferry to find a cold drink.
Home for an evening of Bob Dylan concert footage on telly.
