Men’s Masters M40 Vs Shrewsbury

Mens O40s v Shrewsbury – Tier 2 Masters

Our Mens O40s welcomed Shrewsbury to Ladybay on a cold autumnal Guy Fawkes Day, led by captain Phil “baselayer” Bowerman. Coach for the day (perhaps self-appointed) was Fin “old enough to be their son” Butler. Fantastic organisation meant that the players were spoilt with 3 umpires, and Mase found herself quickly relegated to Match Official (perhaps wise based on previous whistling performances).

The pace was blistering in the first 10 minutes with Boots trying to get onto the front foot, before everyone realised that a) they were over 40 and b) this was their second game of the weekend. Some inspired words from young (Fin) and old (everyone else) including “Keep it”, “Score more than them”, and Matty Kimbley’s “get two hands on the stick you idle man” being the only repeatable comments from the bench.

Boots went 1-0 up after 33 minutes, with a bobbly shot from Shaun Phillips falling awkwardly in front of the keeper before oldest player Rich Butler showed them all how it’s done by pouncing on the loose ball. Half time followed, no doubt to enable an inspired team talk from Fin, and proper Sunday umpire comments of “oh, is the bar open, I could do with a shandy”.

Shrewsbury started the second half brightly, with a cracking goal line save from Fonters, who had crept into the squad by less than a month. A breakaway goal for Boots followed, with Rich Butler getting his second with a magnificent reverse stick shot, all despite his bionic left arm which was positively taped together with blue electrical tape. The goal resulted in much surprise from his children on the side-lines, with “I’m taking that goal, I taught him that 4 years ago” uttered by his son/coach. 2-0 to Boots!

Full support from the bench could be found throughout, with Ann Fairbrother summarising the viewing public’s concerns in the 48th minute simply stating “Are they getting tired or what?”

Shrewsbury found themselves with more of the ball over the next 15 minutes, including a cracking first time smash from top D by a player with fashionable hair, which prompted goalkeeper Keith Kirkpatrick to yell “I suggest we don’t leave him open again”. Pressure resulted in a goal, from a short corner and near post tap-in by fashionable hair man.

Rich, scorer of 2, earnt himself a nice two minute sit down for chat-back to the umpire, who brandished a green card. Boots still had plenty to offer despite their earlier tiredness, with a baseline smash from Andy Fairbrother resulting in an anonymous M1 player retorting “Shouldn’t shoot from that position” – a favourite line of Coach Fairbrother. Rich managed to round of the match and commit jug avoidance by missing a back post tap in from a Bowerman cross; perhaps the crosser could be responsible too.

The game finished 2-1 to Boots, who find themselves continuing in the obscurely titled England Hockey Mens Over 40s Tier 2 Championships. I can’t tell you when the next round is because I don’t understand the new website….watch this space!

Squad:

1. Keith Kirkpatrick
2. Phil Bowerman (C)
3. Mike Vipond
4. James Cameron-Williams
5. Ravi Saund
6. Alex Brown
7. Steve Holley
8. Andy Fairbrother
9. Dan Appleby
10. Shaun Phillips
11. Gareth Thomas
12. Phil Hughes
13. Jim O’Flaherty
14. Rich Butler