Dear Forumites,
DisclaimerThis is merely a match observation. Details of actual game play are a bit sketchy as players were difficult to identify, also the number of subs were unlimited, as such players were back and forth on the field and substitutes bench. Finally in true fete match style the game was played in three 30 minute thirds.
I arrived at the match venue around 6pm. Weather conditions were cool, and a bit of rain fell in the early afternoon….perfect football conditions.
Entry fee was 50$ and upon proceeding through the turnstile I was greeted with not one….but two free noisemaker/whistles and a match Magazine entitled hit Wicket.
After purchasing the customary beverage, I took up the usual vantage point of the 18yrd box Clock side. The sounds of the Laventille Rhythm section filled the air and the crowd which swelled to about 600-800 people were trickling in.
The Strike squad were on the field warming up in a black kit…..stroking the ball, making passes, raising etc.
As the teams came out of the tunnel we were all asked to stand for the arrival of his Excellency Prof George Maxwell Richards…aka Max. This was the start of a comedy of errors which left all of the spectators standing up for a long period of time. Everytime we attempted to sit down we were asked to remain standing…something akin to musical chairs.
The mic was a wireless one as such it wasn’t wukkin properly….intermittently losing signal. However the MC…Anil Roberts…Spalky had no problem communicating with the crowd as he JEST LOUD. In fact a better job was done sans microphone.
Max with security cut a fine figure…in a black pants, black jacket and a kinda orangy shirt, with a step and swagger that just exuded “Star Boyâ€
Also on the field were Ken Gordon, match officials and the teams which were….
Michael Maurice-
Clayton Morris (capt)
Brian Williams
Dexter Francis
Floyd Lawrence
Marvin Faustin
Jeron Nixon
Hutson Charles
Marlon Morris
Larry Joseph
Leonson Lewis
Maurice ALiby
Kelvin Jones
Philbert Jones
Russel Munroe
Lawrence George..aka Spanner georgeÂ
Kerry Jamerson
Dexter Cyrus
Dexter Lee
Ross Russel
Gally Cummings- Coach
Neville Chance- Manager
TGI Fridays WI football team
Wavell Hinds(Captain)
Brian Lara
Daren Ganga
Mervyn Dillon
Dwayne Bravo
Denesh Ramdin
Runako Morton
Lendl SImmons
Dave Mohammed - GKP
Keiron Pollard
Chris Gayle
Marlon Samuels
Jeroms Taylor
Carlton Baugh
Xavier Marshall
Devon Smith
Daren Sammy
Pedro Collins
Fidel Edwards
Corey Collymore
Dwayne Smith
Ramnaresh Sarwan
Guest Player
Senator Ato Boldon
Manager - Dane Darbasie
Coach - Colin Murray
Also another guest player Darren Millien was present and played in the number 14 shirt for WIPA he was instrumental in their midfield.
WIPA had on a maroon shirt and socks with a white pants…akin to last years Arsenal home kit. Strike Squad had on a hideous Jail bird red and white horizontal striped jersey, white pants white socks.
After Max greeted the teams we had to first stand for the national anthem.
Ladies and Gents when yuh bringing chirren under 6 yrs old to the stadium, please feed them properly before leaving the house.
Just before the anthem..I see a small hand reach over from the row behind me directed towards my bag of popcorn. What followed was…WHAP WHAP…..â€I tired tell yuh leave people ting alone. IZ NOT YOURS†Whap, Whap. Next thing is weeping, wailing and knashing of teeth.
Poor lil fella he cry straight tru the anthem. I was also feeling bad…should I have offered the small man and his mother the popcorn? Especially since much of it went flying upon his raid…to make matters worse, small man lost his whistle in the process. A Double Whammy.
The anthem stick…so spalk start to sing the first few lines, the crowd start to sing…then BAM…Music start up out of time and midway. Crowd had to start over. Then a Speaker buss and only one speaker pumping the anthem. EMbarrasing to say the least.
Anyway smallman bawl tru the anthem…..the musical chairs began. We were asked to remain standing for the West Indies national anthem, which I had heard before. Lo and Behold David Rudders rally round the west Indies starts to play and people steupsing. Everybody confused and dey ent know when to cut the song…which they did after the first few lines of the first verse.
Then when mankind ready to sit we were asked again to stand for a minutes silence for Walcott. EH heh the silence that was supposed to be kept was invaded by the whistles and horns from the chirren in the crowd. A moments silence then a TWEET follwed by a Shsssh hush nah chile. And so it went on. It was very funny…you had to be there.
Then the game had to be kicked orf twice…..Ken Gordon and Max kicking orf the ball. Then the game hadda be restarted officially…den we hadda wait till Max go and take he seat up in the stands before we sit back down.
Righto…Football time.
Both teams lined up in a 3-5-2 formation. I sorry but I was not familiar with the cricketers and their staring line up. I could tell you that there were three Indians on the starting Line Up. Definitely Dave Tadpole Mohammed was in Goal and he collect real bullet but he handled himself well and Ganga the third I ent know who he was. Mervyn Dillon was playing stopper and was the Captain, On the right wing was Collymore in a two tone socks and the fella who have more speed than Ato was a number 8…Devon Smith He was real worries and tears in fact he should stick to football or track rather than cricket.
Strike squad was….Maurice in goal back three of Brian Williams, Clayton Morris and Dexter Francis. Midfield was Kerry Jamerson, Larry Joseph, Hutson Charles, Leonson Lewis and Marvin Faustin. Up front was Philbert Jones and Jerron Nixon
All the strike squad players besides Faustin and Joseph put orn real real weight. It was a setta big belly men on the field. Vs the slimmer and more athletic WIPA players.
The crowd was definitely PRO WIPA and any playes, subs or goals scored were greeted with cheers and loud applause. As opposed to dead silence when the strike squad did anything.
Opening 5 min were all WIPA and they eventually scored first in the 12th min. A cross and tap in past Maurice from Devon Smith. Real applause and the crowd gorn wild..
Then Strike squad got into gear and started to knock the ball around. They were guilty of throwing away many a chance and opting to pass in the 18 yard box for a teammate to tap in rather than driving home. Faustin in particular should have been a little more selfish and gone to goal instead of passing.
Wipa players showed good technique, passing, tru balls and fitness and you would have never suspected this was a cricket team. Then after the strike squad scored their first goal…coming off the boot of Leonson Lewis game tied at 1-1.
It is at this point, the hungry lil fella behind me make a raid again. A hand came over my shoulder and small man grabbed a fistful of fries…..needless to say he get another sound cutarse and apologies from his mother. Again….I study….give d small man d fries? Should I go and buy him something at half time…hrm the mother go feel shame.
Anyway, subs started to come orn hot and sweaty and our fellow forumite Sentor the hon. Ato Boldon came on to a round of applause. His first touch was shakey bad, an overpush and trot later he passes the ball directly to his opponent.
His next unfortunate incident was a tru ball straight to foot. Ato is unmarked, not a player marking him, he free as a bird and Ato gallops into the 18. Well I say look sure goal…..Unfortunately Ato was reviewing some Stern John finishing videos and produces a brilliant toe pee/curler/powder puff straight to Maurice.
Other than that the Senator settle down, drop to right back and manners Marvin Faustin. He ent get blow past, put in many a tackle, ran off the ball well, supported when necessary and stop all attacks from the SS, quite useful on the wing a creditable performance by the sprinter.
In terms of glamour men Larry Joseph touch was orn, Spanner George was distressing people, Marvin Faustin still have it bullet and speed for days. For WIPA Millien was the playmaker but the general for WIPA was the world record holding batsman Brian Charles Lara. People Lara have skills, the man look like a total footballer and for a man with a bigish belley and stocky frame he is very agile, light on his feet and he have plenty speed. The man footwork was good, plenty beat and fake, push past and fan. He lay off plenty ball nicely and his one-two touch was good, he also know how to screen a ball and he could cross as well. Only ting….he shot went for 4 runs. He need a compass.
Other than that Strike squad players show they composure, technique and the lost art of hitting bullet and piling shot. It was either Dexter Francis or Clayton Morris but one of them Sting poor tadpole with a 40 yard bullet that had him scampering. Also plenty ball hit post and ting.
In terms of beat the man who eat the most beat was Brian Williams…the rasta technique good, but he slow down……as such he eat a cyap at 90 miles an hour on the run from Devon Smith. But he get a roly poly on the line on the 18 yard box from a tall cricketer wearing a number 20. Wheyyyyyy……d crowd bawl with that one.
I think we should ban #14 from we national teams yes cause who ever wearing dat number does jest throw away. The number 14 for Strike squad…I think is Philbert Jones…it ent alibey cause Alibey was a redman….anyways that number 14 unscore some goals. Some easy tap in and he hitting wide.
Dexter Cyrus showed him how its done with 5 goals to his name.…sprinting past the defence and calmly slotting in when the keeper committed himself.
I was lil disappointed with Jerron Nixon, like he was on kicks or he jest gorn tru but he looking sloppy….not the Jerron of old.
Then in the final third Ross Russel come out of the post and play outfield, Ato and Brian was d crowd pleasers for the Wipa side and Devon Smith was the MVP real speed, running and taking it to the strike squad defence.
For Strike Squad, Larry Joseph was d standout along with Cyrus, Faustin and George.
Final score SS 6 WIPA 3 but the entertainment and level of ball was much better than a PFL or SSFL game.
It was a good game and alyuh shoulda come out….
Until next time.
Â