Herts WFL Over 60's

The weather forecast was looking dodgy and although the dark clouds were gathering it wasn't a bad day to play football, even though we had about 10 minutes of rain during the morning.

The session started badly, with John Durrant our keeper having misplaced his match glasses, leaving John Cahillane to step in at the last minute for this first game against Welwyn Extra Time. With an over cautionary referee awarding each side three 'not waking' offences within the first ten minutes, it somewhat spoilt the game and slowed it down to a very slow walking pace. As a result neither side created any clear cut chances, with Welwyn scoring the only goal of the game from a mix-up in our defence. 1-0 the final score.

Having found his glasses, John was back in goal and made some vital saves against Inter Muswell Hill aka 'The Road Runners'. Wth a different referee this time, we were outdone by what should have been two 'not walking' offences. It also became quite a feisty game as a result. 2-0 the final score.

Next up was a hard fought game against a strong Hertford side. Unfortunately, John Durrant was not available for the rest of the session, so once again John Cahillane was thrust between the sticks. With around five minutes to go and having created a few chances, a lovely worked square ball from Michael Cocomazzi was finished in style by debutant David Chalkwright. 1-0 the final score.

Beacuse a team pulled out at the last minute, we then played two friendly matches, the first against hosts Cheshunt. As always they gave us a tough test and within seconds of kicking off they went 1-0 up with a well taken goal, which John had no chance of saving from their striker. However, this seemed to spur us on and we then started to create chances of our own, whilst keeping their striker at bay with John saving the odd shot that managed to get past the ever dependable and solid Cliff Leat.  One great chance was enough to find the equaliser midway through the game and it came from an unlikely source. Cliff was fed the ball at the edge of the box and with a delicate turn and shot found the back of the net. It could have been even better with Mike Wood striking the post at least twice with well taken shots, which on another day could have found the bag of the net. 1-1 the final score.

Our second freindly was against the 'Road Runners' that we had played earlier in the morning, but with the over cautionary referree we had had in the first game.  Cliff for a change played as a lone striker, with another debutant Nigel Walker totally marshalling their main threat, and John keeping another clean sheet. We created a few chances at the other end and we probably should have beaten them, with Michael Cocomazzi for once being kept quiet.  0-0 was the final score.

Back to league action and our last game was against Cheshunt for the second time this session.  Again it was a tight game with our defence keeping their chances to few and far between and John playing superbly in goal.  At the other end Alastair Greene, who as usual had covered every blade of 4G, came close on a couple occasions bringing good saves from their keeper. 0-0 the final score, which considering how strong a team Cheshunt are, was a very plausible result.

Squad: John Durrant, John Cahillane, Cliff Leat, David Chalkwright, Nigel Walker, Michael Cocomazzi, Alastair Greene, Mike Wood.