When boxing training comes!

By Marco Martiniello

Team: Lees, Thomas, Mulholland (c), Lindsay, Martiniello, Murray, Bajraktari, 'Willy swartjes', Zahr and Cain.

Subs: you must be joking !

Broken nose: 1 (their n°2)

MOM: "Mohamed Ali" Willy swartjes

This year, the ABSSA Vets Cup is called "Coupe Julien Caluwé", after a distinguished committee member, who passed away a few years ago. Well, for us it is just the cup! With or without ears, we want it!

The first obstacle on the road to our Wembley is called Forestois. Not the Forestois we played in the league but their first team who just finished in the sixth position in the first vets division.

It would have been nice to travel to Forestois with our strongest 15 players. However, we were just 0!

Immediately, we understood that the game would be difficult. Forestois were moving the ball elegantly but we resisted forcing them to try from outside the box. 'Edward', the highlands wild cat, made a few excellent saves to keep his nets untouched. Even more, we tried to go out on the break as soon as we had the opportunity to do so.

After about 20 minutes, the only Sean Murray's muscle that had not been damaged so far decided to go in solidarity with his fellows' muscles. The brave cockney Irish warrior remained on the pitch. But he could not either run or kick the ball for the rest of the game. We were down to 9 men but still pushing Forestois into frustration until... magic strike from outside the bow crucified poor Edward and the whole team. There was only 1 minute to go in the first half.

We started the second half with the same determination and organisation even though we continued to suffer the domination of our guests. After about 10 minutes, the equalizer arrived. Skipper Mulholland took a free kick in the middle of the pitch. 'Willy swartjes's' header left the whole Forestois defence immobile. Yes, it was 1-1.

Now, Forestois were starting to doubt and we were gaining more confidence even though it was increasingly harder to resist. Suddenly, a contact between Willy swartjes and their n°2 occurred just outside their box. The n°2 punched 'Willy in the face. For a second, 'Willy swartjes' thought he was Mohamed Ali on the ring against Belgian Koopmans back in the seventies. BOOM he reacted right in the middle of the nose of n°2 that literally exploded in blood.

At that moment we came close to a general fight but 'Willy' (are you still following me?) was only booked since the referee did not see a thing!

After that incident, the game was not the same. They managed to score with a free header and the game ended up with a 2-1 defeat. The result was disappointing but we showed a wonderful spirit and some good football with 9 men for more than half of the game.

"Mohamed Ali" Willy swartjes's boxing training was over. Sean Murray's season was over. But we are still in the race!