Saturday.
Invitation XI
1
v.
LX
1
With Roger Lomas’s invitation side being an unknown quantity
(apart from LX’er’s Andy Holden , Colin Pearce and Roger), and having being
plied along with the supporters with coffee and cake beforehand LX opened in
tentative fashion endeavouring to attack down the wings and feel out the
opposing defence. As wingers Brian Woolcott and Rob Allchin were being well
supported from midfield by Ray Jeff, David Wright and Bob Purshouse, this
allowed LX to create a number of good opportunities but the forwards were unable
to take advantage. Getting their act together, the Invitation XI were able to
build pressure on the LX defence who were forced to defend a number of
threatening attacks, but a solid defence marshalled by Rod Cochrane at sweeper
meant that the ‘keeper was well protected. With half time approaching a flowing
move from LX looked like breaking the deadlock but the final shot was inches
wide of the right hand post.
The game was now finely balanced between two well matched
sides and the second half began as both teams were striving to establish
superiority. After only 5 minutes, LX found themselves a goal down. A raid down
the right allowing the winger to reach the by-line and put in a cross resulted
in a deflection from an attacker’s stick to sneak into goal past an off balance
‘keeper. Spurred on by this reverse, LX raised their game and a ball out of
defence from George Hazell was fed into the path of Graham Martin, who held off
the attentions of the defence to put the ball into goal, only to discover that
the Umpire had blown for an infringement within the ‘circle’. Amends were made
for this a few minutes later when Graham Martin was on the spot to put a cross
firmly into the roof of the net. The final 1-1 score was a fair result although
LX could consider themselves unlucky to have had a goal disallowed.
A first class evening was then enjoyed by all at the
Sheffield Park Hotel where most of the LX team and partners stayed , and when
members of Roger’s invitation sides joined us for a meal in true LX style.
Sunday
The Invitation XI having been strengthened by the arrival of
reinforcements (including LX’er David Durrans), LX were anticipating another
stern test and the game began with LX having to soak up early pressure , and
after a spell with exchanges being fairly even , the Invitation XI then began to
enjoy a lot of possession . LX were
disappointed to concede a goal when Jim Standish was left exposed and the
opposing centre forward was able to score at the second attempt. Endeavouring to
raise the level of their game, LX moved on to the attack and a sharp foray into
the opposition half enabled quick ball to be fed through to Brian Walcott,
lurking near the left hand post, who expertly guided the ball past the startled
‘keeper! With their tails up, LX moved further into the lead from a fortunate
short corner when a shot across the ‘keeper from Gerald Wilkinson was deflected
into goal by Bill Warrender. At this stage LX were beginning to establish some
supremacy, but were unable to add to their tally before the interval.
Opening the second half brightly, LX continued to threaten
and moved further into the lead when another enterprising raid down the right
involving Bob Purshouse and Gerald Wilkinson was rounded off when Rob Allchin
provided a cross and Bill Warrender was again on hand to put the ball over the
line. At 3-1 down the Invitation side were keen to get back into the game and
changed their formation and a drive down the middle from David Durrans gave them
the opportunity to reduce the arrears. With time running out and both sides
tiring from their exertions with opportunities at both ends the final
whistle went with LX happy with a sound performance in another well balanced
contest.
The games was followed by a Carvery Lunch at Abbeydale Sports
Club for both teams and their supporters and the weekend was finished off in
convivial style. The LX partners who were there in number enjoyed the
hospitality and watching two good matches in the
Team:
Rob Allchin; Rod Cochrane; George Hazell; Ray Jeff; Graham Martin; Bob
Purshouse; Jim Standish; Gerald Wilkinson; Brian Woolcott; David Wright; Bill
Warrender.
Other LX member’s in the Invitation XI:
Andy Holden; Colin Pearce; David Durrans and Roger Lomas.
Umpires: Tony Moffat; Chris Darling; Andy
Pettigrew; Paul Harriman.
