Sunday June 8th 2008
Charity Match
Match Report
Footballers and football clubs are often regarded as selfish but today proved the exact opposite as members from the age of 14 to well over 50 (sorry chaps!) turned out for some fun in a benefit afternoon in support of one of our most supportive families whose Mum has unfortunately been very ill and had to undergo a vital operation which has put her put of action. Lynn was extremely surprised and very honoured that so many people gave up their afternoon to take part and has asked me to thank all of those that contributed on the day to a fun afternoon for all. When all totted up we raised a total in excess of £500.

Many people played their part but special thanks to the following who made the day possible:-
Judy Burbury, our Club Chair, of Harpers who donated those equisite burgers and sausages
AFC Luton who so kindly donated the proceeds of their presentation night raffle
Active Luton who gave us free use of the facility for the afternoon
Mike Palmer for again providing the BBQ and, of course, our wonderful BBQ team
To all the players who paid to play aged from 14 to what (?), must be 50 plus as it is a charity event, and display their sometimes questionable skills

And so to the football....... The Under 16`s were somewhat in awe of their more experienced (!!!) opponents but were able to literally take the wind and air out of their more senior opponents who after 15 minutes were breathing out of orifices they did not think possible. However, the more wily of the teams eventually came out on top once they had mastered the 2008 offside law and won the day 5-3. The officials were heavily criticised at times but the `Oldies` obvious 1970`s outlook and knowledge of the Laws of the Game was demonstrated when the keeper picked up a back pass! Now girls, this was once allowed but was outlawed before you were even born! To credit the old chaps past glories were there in flashes although it is not known how many of them had got injured whilst on the way to trials with Arsenal/Chelsea/Man U and could have made it as pros if only!

What many do not realise is that our club currently contains 19 teams and is growing. 10 Ladies and girls teams and 9 boys teams. We obviously cannot share the same name but the links are there via various persons who are officials of both clubs and both clubs sprung from the same old mugs too. Today that link was further cemented when the AFC Luton boys were given the unenviable task of taking on a combined senior squad from the Ladies. Much pride was at stake from the challenge but mostly from the bench where the rival managers go back to their teenage years long before the onset of cellulite, flab and baldness and that`s just the boys manager!

AFC dominated the early exchanges playing some excellent pass and move football but the Ladies defence stood firm and the lads were restricted to one or two half hit strikes which Nikki dealt with well. Playing on the counter the Ladies scored with their first real effort on goal when bex Kane beat her player to cross to the near post. Yasmin Hickling stepped over the ball and Kirsty McIntosh smashed the ball in at the far post - 1-0 and the crowd were in raptures. The same pattern continued but again it was the Ladies on the scoresheet as Nina Hale was cleverly played in and she dinked the ball over the advancing keeper for 2-0. Nikki Duncan then made an excellent diving stop pushing a header against the inside of the post and Nix Baker cleared the loose ball off the line. Just before half time the lads pulled a goal back following a defensive mix up and it 2-1 at the break.

The Ladies continued to trouble the AFC defence and had more chances in the second half but young Impey making his debut in the AFC goal was equal to it all. With 20 minutes left AFC equalised with their tricky skipper nipping in with quick feet to score from close in. The Ladies not to be out done were back on the attack and when Bex Kane outjumped the keeper to a through ball and was brought crashing to the ground the referee pointed to the spot. Bex then converted the spot kick to regain the lead and it was game on for the last quarter. AFC equalised to make it 3-3 and the challenge was to be decided by penalties. Nikki pulled off a great stop for the first kick (which was probably the best penalty too) and Robert Impey matched that with a graet stop himself. Bex was unable to repeat her earlier success from the spot prompting a complaint from Air Traffic Control and the deciding kick was all down to none other than Darrell Watson. The pressure was on bearing in mind that he had never scored in all his years in football (and the abuse from the centre circle) but he kept his head to score for the very first time. Quick on the scene was his brother Kyle to dampen the euphoria by telling him that it was not a proper goal of course.

On a serious note big credit must go to both teams for what was a keenly contested match with both sides giving their all with the right attitude and both sides are keen to repeat the exercise in future. Most of we all wish Lynn a speedy and healthy recovery. Judging by the accuracy of the pass when she kicked off the match she may well yet make her Ladies debut and now we know where Nat gets it all from.

Many many thanks to all who took part and were such a credit to this club of ours.