Saturday 14th September 2024

Tiffs Super Vets Juniors

Economicals Vets 0 v Old Tiffinians Vets 1

(HT 0 – 1)

 

This was the first run out for Tiffs Super Vets Juniors, in the over 45s friendly league. The pitch at LSE sports ground was immaculate, the groundsman must have known we were coming as he left his “please keep off the grass” signs out! Gaffer Baile had his hands full juggling 17 players, and he did a great job.

Club legend Houghton in his 30th year, having contributed an estimated £2,100 pounds in membership and match fees over the years was up for this one. He still remembers every pass he made! He still knows how to find a pocket of space and made the midfield tick over in the first half.

Welcome Club Chairperson Nutt, making his first appearance for the Vets, disappointed to see Houghton still playing! Great to see the big man Allen back too following a nasty knee injury, faultless between the sticks and causing havoc up front in the 2nd half. The highlight was a Cruyff like turn bamboozling two Economicals players on the sideline before a slipped pass to Banoub was thankfully missed – sparing us years of listening to it!

The ageless Stephens was the rock of the defence, enjoying the first drink from the silver goblet after being voted the POTM. People said it was his best ever outing in a Tiffs shirt as he snuffed out the Economicals runners with ease.

He was supported well by the excellent Mitchell and the robust Edstrom, 3 at the back, who would have thought it! Bhalla awesome on the right and gaffer Baile on the left, with Garfield, Barras and Houghton in the middle were working hard, Smith and Banoub up top.

Tiffs had the better of the early play but like last week struggled to put the ball in the back of the the net.

The beauty of Vets football is there are moments that never cease to amaze you, and the spirit of football is safe in our hands. Smith fouled on the edge of the box at one end saw no free kick awarded. A minute later a penalty awarded at the other end. Edstrom accusing their player of diving. [Their player admitted he was never touched in fairness after the award – Ed] You don’t mess with Edstrom and in the true spirit of the game the penalty taker rolled the ball to Allen from the spot! We will need the camera footage to sort this out, but the stats give Allen a penalty save and a clean sheet.

Tiffs took the lead when a cross from the left found Paul “Londis” Banoub, open 24hrs, at the back post and he made no mistake heading home. [BDS dug out a brilliant cross from near the corner flag]

Economicals made some changes as did Tiffs bringing on the elegant flair of Orsmond and Crozier, players who can kick the ball where they actually want it to go!

At the turn Nutt, Harry, Boa were on. Chairperson Nutt is a player and we hope to see more of him on the pitch. Highlights of the second half include POTM Stephens having a header cleared off the line by regular team mate Iain Macleod for the oppo. Allen going up top and getting close on a few occasions. We really should have scored some more. The defence were epic today, the midfield joined by Gareth late on worked hard and bossed the middle of the park, and up top the chances came and went. Gaffer Baile, on the left tracking back twice to snuff out threats “not on my watch” he was heard to say!

In the last few seconds, a sniper downed Mitchell out wide, Stephens tried to get across and the shot whistled just over the bar. It would have been a tough pill to swallow as Tiffs deserved the win. Always great to end a game at Woodies with beers, sandwiches and a lot of laughs. Lots of legs left in the old dogs yet! Good luck on your stag do next week in Magaluf, Garfield. Where is our invite? I have the Speedos for it!

Assist: Dave Smith

Goal Scorer: Paul Banoub

PotM: Pete Stephens