Orangefield F C annual old crocks match

Sat 27th December Gibson Park

Teams

Cunners Old Crocks : R Grey, F Hollywood, K Lorimer, S Carlisle, C Burns, M Lynn, G Wright, G Halliday, A Wardlow, J Houston, D Carey, G Cunningham, A McMorris, J Halliday

Clarkys Reindeers : J lister, L Blackstock, M Patton, N Wilson, B Holmes B Reynolds, T Craig ,E Robinson, D Young, D Cousins, C Dempster, C Henderson, M Dornan, G Taylor, K Cunningham

Reindeers kick off up hill but lose possession from a loose pass from Eddie (Buzz) Robinson, Crocks look pumped up and keen to do well. Good early exchanges from Davy Carey and Doc Halliday produced a good opening for A Wardlow to shoot just wide.

A cultured pass down the right from

legendary full back Frank Hollywod finds Doc who beats two defenders cuts inside and lays a pass for D Carey to hit a 35 yrd drive and produces a great save from Reindeers keeper J Lister. G Wright and centre backs C Burns S Carlisle all push forward looking to get on the score sheet from the corner, but its well cleared by Reindeers navy seal Noel Wilson. Crocks continue to have the upper hand in the 1st 10 min until Tony Craig

gets possession pushes forward into crocks half for 1st time and finds Dean Cousins who cuts inside to shoot early and brings a fine save from crocks keeper Rab Grey

Reindeers coming into the game more now with some good passing from Clarky, B Reynolds & Prince Harry. Two chances either end Crocks Carey hits a 25yrd free kick just wide and reindeers Deano had a good effort tipped over from the keeper.

First sign of tired legs from the crocks when left back Keith Lorimer hit a soft back pass to let in B Reynolds to slot home the opining goal on 20 mins. Going a goal down got the Crocks hump up with some heavy challenges from F Hollywood & G Wright. 25 mins into the half and aptly named Reindeers showing their pace and fitness controlling the game with plenty of possession.

Crocks make a few changes for tired legs with Doc Halliday coming off (exchanging a few verbal’s with manager), for the younger and more skilful version, Jonny. Alan Wardlow also coming off with ripped stockings replaced by Alan (the Badger) McMorris up front…Eh!!!.

The only thing looking pumped on the old crocks now are the waistlines as Reindeers take full advantage to double their lead with a fine goal from Deano   2-0. Up the other end the Badger had good chance with a header from a corner. Crocks regretting all the early missed chances.

Young Blackstock having good game at right back for the reindeers to deny the experience of M Lynn down the left flank. Crocks sub Gary (Dean Martin) Cunningham on for J Houston who didn’t to get any service up front all afternoon, Or so he says!! Reindeers continue to press forward with young K Cunningham (on for Davy Young), cut in from the right to shoot on target and centre forward Clarky, pounced on the rebound to make it 3-0 right on half time.

Michael McVeigh provided the half time refreshments for both teams with a superb pot of mulled wine that went down so well it extended the half time break… Orangefield wine team and all that !!!

Second half started with a bit of banter as the Crocks continued to play down the hill and with 13 players. Centre half’s M Patton & N Wilson swapped positions with centre forwards D Cousins & C Dempster to make more of a match of it. Didn’t make any difference though as the reindeers Tony Craig ran onto a through ball from Patton to slot in the fourth. Crocks 4-0 down refusing to give up with M Lynn, D Carey & Big Cunners trying hard in midfield. Doc found himself in a bit of space and let rip with a good right foot effort that produced a great save from sub keeper Glenn Taylor. Crocks regain possession with a good interception from K Lorimer who slipped a nice pass into the dangerous Badger ending with a deft chip which Taylor saved well and threw a smart early ball to T Craig who caught the Crocks defence napping with a great pass to Reynolds, running from deep to split the back line and chipping the keeper from 18yrds. Great goal 5-0 oh dear !

From the restart Gareth Wright slipped a nice pass into Jimmy H in the box who turned on a half crown and was clobberd by Clark Dempster, ref Gary Forbes gave the Crocks a dubious penalty. No fear Badger stepped up to put the crocks on the score sheet, but unfortunately with boots he borrowed from Ulster legend David Humphries he skied the ball over the bar and over roofs and far away, oops!! Reindeers pushed forward from the goal kick C Henderson on for E Robinson knocked the ball on for Reynolds to cross in a great ball for Patton to hit a superb sissor kick into the top corner, 6-0 goal of the day…so far !

Crocks really struggling to get forward as Clarkys Reindeers push for more goals. Good defending by Craig Burns at centre back denies another goal opportunity. Big skip in possession inside own area and under pressure from Noel Wilson coolly nutmegs his former apprentice and clears the danger. Worth a goal I thought.!!

Crocks with fourteen players and playing down hill still can’t produce a clear chance. Noel Wilson hit’s the post from 20yrds with a great strike, Tony Craig following up and netting the rebound to make it 7-0.

Crocks had given up now and so had the reporter, watching the remainder of the game from the club with a well deserved pint !!

Reindeers scored again by, er... someone big but not so quick. To make it 8-0. Crocks hoof the ball forward into the area for the ref to give another penalty right at the death. Mr Orangefield Rod Humphries stepped up to the spot to save some face for the old Crocks. He coolly slotted home to save an embarrassing  white wash.

Final score Crocks 1 Reindeers 8. Great afternoon was had by all, followed up with lashings of ginger ale and much merriment in the clubhouse…until next year !!

Reindeers MOM   Brian Reynolds 2 goals and 2 assists

Old Crocks MOM   Brian Craig for having the good sense not to turn up !!