Match Report continued...

After the debacle of the first 'period' time-keeping it was agreed to stage two further 15-minute periods. These witnessed a feast of action and goals as legs tired and Mr Henderson galloped like a fresh gazelle down the right wing, leaving the Milanistas' left back, Rich Ish, a little exposed. First, a goal from the head of Steve, after neat interplay and cross from the powerhouse in the Tangerine midfield, John Gilligan - never economic with his effort, it was another truly Keane-sian performance from the Cardiff born Allstar, who provided further goal scoring opportunities to no avail.

2-1, game on, and Team Billy were spurred once again back into attack by Kane and crew, and ably assisted by their opposing sweeper, Mince. With the Blue & Blacks piling forward, our intrepid yet arthritic ginger warrior hadn't noticed that Halliwell junior had crept into the centre, blocking his attempted clearance from the edge of the penalty area with an outstretched leg. The ball fell kindly for Mo, 10 yards out, who coolly shot past Sid to equalise. 2-2. Next serious attack, and the ball fell loose in the penalty area again, only this time Mince expertly slid his left foot to clear the ball. However, Mo theatrically fell over the ginger warrior's trailing leg, fooling the still obviously 'blurred' referee. Halliwell senior stepped up to fire home the consequent penalty. Team Billy were back in the lead, 2-3, and Max even had the audacity to re-create one of Drogba's infamous 'gun-shot' penalty appealing moments, only for play to be quite rightly ordered on by Mr Bigland. The lead didn't last long though, after what can only be described as a wonder goal by Steve Henderson. Shaggy picked up a throw in from John on the right, played a one-two with Cookie, and then a first time cross was met by a flying bullet of a header giving the goalkeeping shark from Basingstoke no chance. 3-3, all to play for, and the match even became 10-a-side as Biggers and Wolfie entered the play for Teams Billy and Tangerines respectively.

With little time remaining (or another 19 hours if Biggers had still been refereeing), Shaggy curled a shot over Billy with what he thought would prove the winner. Much debate ensued, with cries of 'offside'. Two uncontestable facts followed - there was no kick-off by Team Billy and Steve Henderson bagged his hat-trick after an uncharacteristic defensive lapse by Kane - making the ultimate victors, The Tangerines, indisputable 4-3 winners.

Final score: Team Tangerine 4-3 Team Billy.

Post Match

The Tangerines also went on to win the traditional post-match penalty competition 8-7, but special mention has to be given to yet another Halliwell (note to readers, if you want personal coverage be sure to respond to my post-reunion request for 'match reports' as, funnily enough, Max did - in considerable detail). Young Lucia smashed a curling penalty into the top left hand corner of the goal, the crowd gasp was audible in Boots' forecourt, and there was little enthusiasm amongst the assembled ranks to follow it up.

There were many fine performances, not least by the two youngsters on display who more than merited their place on the pitch. This can be attested to by the fact that both were recipients of 'healthy' but predominantly fair sliding challenges from opposition centre-backs (Jez on Mark, and Kane on Andrew). However, there could only be one Man of the Match, and the golden boot was awarded to Hat-Trick Hero Henderson for the second year running. (It should be noted that the award speech contained an error - Jack had scored a hat-trick in a previous encounter in 2004, albeit on astro-turf and not the hallowed Grove Farm).

Whilst one old Allstar tradition has fallen by the wayside - shooting at Sid straight from the kick off - another one looks like taking hold - once again Mo went home with someone else's item of clothing. The WebMaster trusts the final missing Inter Milan top is now safely back with its owner John who kindly loans the set of kits each year.

No kit was the match of that sported by young Stanley Fielding, only a few years away from replacing his father on the pitch.

Note: this match report has received input from various match participants - many thanks from the WebMaster for your contributions and for the Halliwell photography.

Match Stats:

Score: Team Tangerine 4 - 3 Team Billy

Attendance: ~20 (Various Aswats, Cooks, Fieldings, Halliwells, Hortons, & Shaws in the Grove Farm Allstars Family Stand)

Conditions: Firm pitch, fairly hot and sunny. Ginger Warning weather.

To see the Penalty photos, click here.

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