Legends refuse to be put out to grass
PFFC Legends 2 PFFC Stars 4
[click here for player profiles]
For
those aficionados of the minor cult which has built itself into the phenomenon
of PFFC over ten laborious years, Sunday morning's celebratory encounter
between a Legends Eleven and our current Stars was an occasion to cherish.
The sweep of the match is simple to describe - the black-clad Legends cruised to a deserved 2-0 lead by half-time, but the current Red Men replied with interest, and their superior fitness ensured them a 4-2 win well before the finish.
Behind that headline story a match unfolded of great
enjoyment for all concerned, in bright, clear conditions on a riverside grass
pitch in Wandsworth Park. Technical problems for the Eurostar service robbed us
of the presence of Jez and Carlos, who had got as far as Lille, with one rumour
even placing them in Kent, before being towed back to Brussels. This was a
great disappointment for all, and forced last-minute squad changes on the
club's management. Stefan had made it from Zurich, however, and gave the event
a direct link, along with Geoff, to the first match of the club, ten years
earlier almost to the day.
Our
current side were forced to begin with ten men, and the Legends took full
advantage, with Neil adding a text-book mid-half tap-in, following excellent
right-wing work from Stefan, to Cornish's stunning fourth-minute opener,
leaving the 2005 formation's pride in tatters. Ronan had cleared off
the line and Owen had pulled off a magnificent low save to his right from
Neil, to prevent an even worse calamity. Tamber was 
rightly fuming. At the
other end, chances were few, with Raj toiling with gusto, in spite of a heavy
cold and onerous local government responsibilities, in front of a defensive
screen of Filippo, Brian and Geoff, with over a century of experience between
them. Rob, nursing yet another pre-match tweak, prowled unbeaten at the back.
In midfield, Marco (II), Clarkey, Al and Richard competed for everything.
For the Legends, this was a vintage forty-five minutes. But the second half
saw a dramatic, some might say shocking, reversal, following Al's first-minute
duplicate strike into the same top-corner of the net, having been transferred
to the previously under-strength Red Men on Ian's arrival. Pressure from
the current Stars began to mount, and cracks to appear in the Black ramparts. Filippo's foul-count cranked upwards. First Dennis equalised and soon
afterwards Kieran fired the younger generation ahead. Marco (II) limped of
with the recurrence of a serious knee injury. Gibbo and Adam too went close
for the Reds before a counter attack saw Clarkey fouled in the area by Damian,
with the penalty decision accepted with good grace.
The match had reached a pivotal moment. Converting the
penalty would have meant 3-3. Eleven volunteers presented themselves, but Ian
accepted the responsibility. Sadly, the Legends' good fortune had dried up, and
the kick went wide. With fitness now telling significantly on the outcome,
Kieran, Marco (III) and Ally were carving wider gaps and it was with
inevitability that Dennis put the game beyond doubt.
4-2 it finished, but one half each gave the Legends plenty to talk about as the party adjourned to the Alma Tavern, Wandsworth, for a wonderful Tenth birthday roast dinner in a wood-pannelled private dining room. This milestone for the club had been marked in a manner admirably reflecting its character. Any price on a Twentieth Anniversary celebration?
Team sheet:
First half:
Legends: Rob; Filippo, Brian, Marco II, Gaffer;
Clarkey, Raj Cornish Al, Richard; Stefan, Neil
PFFC ’05: Owen; Ally, Damian, Ronan; Gibbo, Marco III,
Kieran, Tamber; Adam, Dennis
Second half:
Legends: Rob; Filippo, Brian, Marco II, Gaffer; Clarkey, Raj,
Ian, Richard; Stefan, Neil
PFFC ’05: Owen; Gibbo, Ally, Damian, Ronan; Al (later
re-transferred on Marco II's injury), Marco III, Kieran, Tamber; Adam,
Dennis
Man of the Match: Cornish, who, with either team, led by example with two beautiful goals and complete commitment