Perplexed Football Dads stopped by Parks Police at half time
‘ You cannot play in the park anymore’. This is what the police officer told FDs in no uncertain terms stopping a vibrant game which could have gone either way.
FDs were able to produce the email the police sent to Tony L last year confirming that organised sports were allowed even during latest lockdown. But this time Covid was not the issue. The point is though that Royal Parks belong to Royals who kindly open them to public under certain rules one of which apparently is that it’s not possible to play football games or indeed organised sports (contrary to other London parks were such restrictions do not apply).
The Board is now looking at options to get us officially reinstated or possibly move to a new ground, where possibly we won’t have to bring the goals and the soil to fill the holes
As for the game after the Club data team worked 24/7 to fix the algorithm for team selection, the end result pleased everyone and probably without the interruption that brought the match to an abrupt end it would still be in parity as we write…
The Unbibbed advantage came from a brilliant initiative from Julian who dribbled his way to the right bottom side of the box and served Marco a ball that whispered ‘just a little touch please’. In the absence of both Yassin and Johannes, Marco is consolidating his position as top scorer for the season so far.
Unbibbed looked confident with a solid back three line where Giancarlo and Andre’ managed to gel despite contrasting mood, double optionality in goal with Paride and Tony L, dynamic midfield where Khaled Alq did not waste a single goal and Julien played a la Barella as Tony Kroos was missing in action. Upfront the Trident Marco, Francesco, Thomas was ever alert and ready to get the most out of every ball despite denied by Alessandro a couple of times.
The Bibbed had nothing though to feel inferior: a surly defence with Hossam and Chetan, spreading the fear factor, Rocky midfield with Ben, Diego and Jeremy and a super green attack with Sara, Leo and Giacomo. Sara with her fine passing and increasingly eager to engage in confrontation was patrolling the higher bit of Avenida Galal with his Dad regulating access at the other end.
If you ever played against any FDs you learn after few minutes that the last thing you can afford is to relax. Well, you can but at the price of immediate punishment. This time it took the shape of a young Roberto Carlos impersonated by Ben who chased an impossible ball on the right far and away from goal. The keeper was already on his way to collect the ball for a goal kick when Ben not only managed to reach the ball on the bottom line but also to produce a swerving missile under the bar. (Note: in protest to the soon to follow expropriation the Club has rejected UEFA request to put it in contention for the Uefa 2020 goal of the tournament).
At this point the game was not even half way with fans intent at recharging the emotional battery already drained when the evitabile happened. It was all very civilised but sad in a way as this negates our very values: sport as passion, inclusion, education for Kids and more. In a year like this even more so. Never mind: we might be even better off at the end of all this. Everyone participation is required, so bring forward your ideas and stay tuned.
For the first time ever the Man of the Half Match was handed over. The beauty of online votes is that they can react quickly to the unforeseen granting officiality to the ever coveted weekly award. It was Julien to receive this unprecedented recognition for his rounded performance as an assist man, almost finisher when he shaved the post and dominant in midfield. In the post match interview he promised fans to complete the job as soon as operations are resumed
Photo: an empty London park with no football players. Is this how they are supposed to be? (credits: F. Ragni)
BIBBED v UNBIBBED 1-1
GOALS
UNBIBBED: Marco
BIBBED: Ben
TEAMS
BIBBED: Alessandro, Chetan, Hossam, Diego, Ben, Jeremy T, Leo, Sara, Giacomo
UNBIBBED: Tony L, Paride, Giancarlo, Andre’, Khaled Alg, Julien, Marco, Thomas, Francesco