Staff vs Learners Grudge Soccer Match 2021
Okay, maybe ‘grudge-match’ is a bit of a strong term to describe the occasion, but ever since the Griffin House vs Staff soccer match in the spring of 2019 ended in a one-all draw, there’s been an...
Okay, maybe ‘grudge-match’ is a bit of a strong term to describe the occasion, but ever since the Griffin House vs Staff soccer match in the spring of 2019 ended in a one-all draw, there’s been an underlying feeling of dissatisfaction within both camps that neither team was able to put one over on the other.
Until the autumn of 2021 that is, which brought about a re-match of epic proportions! Okay, maybe ‘epic’ is also a bit of a strong term to describe such a match-up. ‘Great’ or ‘grand’ are potentially overwhelming descriptors for a rather, if we’re honest, underwhelming event. So, let’s settle for moderate. Moderate at best.
The learner team, which consisted of grade 11 & 12 learners (some of whom were in grade 9 & 10 in the 2019 showdown) kicked-off proceedings with an early goal brought about after Mr Khan attempted a rabona1 just a few meters in front of his own goal, which was pounced upon by Ronaldo (yes, that’s his real name) who then coolly slotted the ball into the far post past a diving Mr C Preddy in goals. One-Nil.
The staff managed to briefly overcome their lack of fitness (and lack of talent) to score what can only be described as a goal out of the top-drawer. Pedro, our head-maintenance staff member, seized-upon a loose ball in the middle of the opposition half, he swivelled around onto his right foot and cleanly struck a low volley into the back of the net past a despairing Luca in goals.
One-One. Game on!
Eight-a-side meant that there was little room for the players to manoeuvre within the middle of the park, to such an extent that there were numerous collisions throughout the game, including one in which Mr Loukakis almost lost his big toe on his right foot. Yup, unfortunately Mr L’s running shoes offered little in the way of protection against Kyle’s size-13 soccer boot which swished through the air connecting with the ball and sir’s foot at the same time.
“Ouch”, he said.
“My toe might be broken”, he also said.
Fortunately, it wasn’t broken. And fortunately, for the Staff team, he continued to play through the pain making crucial interceptions and tackles thereby preventing what could have, in fact, become a rather one-sided affair in the first half which ended 2-1 in favour of the Learners.
Enter grade 12 learner, Vic-Junior Da Costa, who was substituted-in during the break. Vic set-up shop up front for his team and spent most of the second-half in the final-third of the field taking up some really important attacking positions which he then converted into two magnificent goals putting his team 4-1 up and leaving little chance for the Staff to recover. The first of his goals he slotted into the bottom right-hand corner of the net with complete confidence such as that of Marcus Rashford in front of The Stretford End at Old Trafford2. The only exception being that this was in front of the BESA Embankment End at the Old Cabbage Patch.
His second goal was a deft touch with his left foot which sent the ball spiralling-in following a long pass from one of his team mates. The opposing goalkeeper could only helplessly watch the ball settle into the back of the net after he ran the length of the field in search of a goal, or at least an assist of some kind, to help ease the pain inflicted upon the Staff team. He failed dismally.
The match continued with the Staff team searching for that elusive second goal in the hope of at least regaining some dignity in the face of a three-goal deficit, but to no avail. Even the appearance of our Executive-Head, Mr D Preddy, complete in his footballing-attire of smart shoes and suit pants, could not turn the tide as the ever-increasing attack led only to an ever-increasing margin of defeat. Some might say it was a valiant effort, especially from our midfield-maestro Miss Berriman. Some might say that Mr Khan and Mr Lawrenz shone brightly amidst an otherwise dull group performance. Some might argue that the team held their own against an opposition-side literally half their age, with far more energy, skill, and fewer wrinkles. Others might murmur that it would be best for the staff to stick to what they do best, like decreasing each of the Learners team members’ term marks by at least 5% for inflicting such a damaging lesson in football upon their teachers.
We say, however, that it was a great spectacle, a tremendous amount of fun, and an excellent, if not the best, way in which we could possibly have ended a difficult yet productive first term.
The final score then, after forty-minutes of football in the midday sun, in front of a capacity crowd of about ten, was 7-1 to the Learners team. A monumental victory. Well played lads!
Until we meet again.
-Mr C Preddy
PS – View a slow-motion replay of Ronaldo’s sensational off-the-cross-bar-and-in second goal on our Instagram page linked below.
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1 an action in which a player strikes the ball with their kicking leg crossed behind the other leg, typically so as to be able to play the ball instantly with their stronger foot or to deceive an opposing player.
2 The Stretford End, also known as the West Stand, at Old Trafford, the stadium of Manchester United Football Club, takes its name from nearby Stretford. (because Vic-Junior supports Manchester United, you see)