Pic of the week – Page 45

September 25, 2016October 24, 2016

Legends League

Pic of the week 25/9/16

So today our entry in the Somerset FA Legends League kicked off. Its been some time since I played a “proper” game of 11 -a-side football and when I started receiving tweets in the summer promoting veterans football in Somerset I decided to set up a team, based on Millfield, although open to the wider school community and I’m pleased to note that we kicked off with three husbands/partners, and a groundsman, so not just teaching staff.

On a warm September day we traveled to Yeovil to play Pen Mill Veterans (by a quirk of fate, I refereed their U16s the week before, v Somerton), most of us having not played for some time and position selection was based largely on stereotypical physical traits. Originally due to play right back, I shuffled across to fill a hole as a centre back couldn’t get child-care (true veterans football.)

A good game, we found ourselves 1-0 down after about 15 mins, the opposition were probably a little better than us, certainly more organised and tactically astute. The 2nd half saw me move in a defence midfield role and I enjoyed the opportunity to break forward.

From a goal kick (Stu Whittle in goals), Adi Whatling won the aerial battle just inside the opposition half and the ball squirted across to me. Adi made a good run down the left channel and was calling for the ball. However, I had spotted another opportunity: bringing the ball under control, I pinged a 30 yard pass, just clearing the last defender, landing at the feet of the charging Ben McEwan inside the box – he had little more to do than control the ball and slot it past the keeper, which he did. One all.

But almost from the restart, the opposition regained the lead, and had a 10 minute purple patch during which time they extended their lead to 4-1.

Nonetheless, great fun, a great game, bring on Castle Cary Veterans next week!

The legends that were (re)born that day:

September 18, 2016

Yellow Card!

Pic of the week 18/9/16

Issued my first “report-able” yellow card today. Stone wall yellow, with approx 10 mins to go, stripes throw in near stripes goal. Not contentious, no one disagrees. Ball on the deck – stationary – waiting for stripes to come over and take the throw. Red kicks the ball away, beyond the goal line. Silly & unnecessary, call the lad over, ask him what he thinks is going to happen next – says he’s not sure, tell him he’s going to get a yellow, which I then administer. No big drama – a good one to break my duck. No need to ponder it. Think he might have been a little surprised, probably never happened to him before; hope he’s learned his lesson and doesn’t do it again.

On the whole, was not a bad match to ref. Standard of football was quite poor – both sides had yet to register a point, but seemed to be more about 22 lads enjoying a game on a Sunday afternoon, and you can’t fault that.

Fell my ref-ing continues to improve with experience, feel I had a good game today (definitely my refereeing was better than the football being played) and I’m really starting to enjoy it. Still much to learn, but all good. (Except haven’t been paid – yet – for this game. Home team coach was surprised when I asked for match fee. Says it gets paid by club (Somerton FC) he will investigate for me (and I shan’t let i lie either!)

Match Stats

Somerton U16 0 Pen Mill U16 1

Under 16, Yeovil & District League Youth League, U16

1 Yellows (C4) 0 Reds

Match fee: tbc

September 11, 2016September 11, 2016

Back To School

Pic of the week 11/9/16

So (sadly!) this week we all returned to school – Sophie to start in the Sixth Form(!) and Sam into Y10, both at The Blue School (and me back to Millfield) – and time for the obligatory start of the year pic.

Sam has become a giant, towering over his big sister, must to his delight, and her chagrin. (He still hasn’t quite reached my height yet, much to my delight, and his chagrin.)

The pic below shows the transformation over the last four years. Frightening!

August 29, 2016

Sophie’s exam results

Pic of the week 28/8/16

So, after what seemed liked a long wait since June, Thursday morning arrived, along with Sophie’s GCSE results.

I never doubted her, and she got 2 x A*, 4 x A and 4 x B’s – an excellent and well deserved haul.

A*s in maths & textiles, A’s in Science, Add Science, Geography and IT (BTEC distinction), Bs in Eng Lit, Eng Lang, Drama & German.

Very proud of her!

August 21, 2016

Paint-balling

Pic of the week 21/8/16

Yesterday Sam & I joined Rog, Joe, Ned & Oli for a day’s paintballing for Joe & Ned’s birthday.

Sam & I set off at 8.30am to collect Oli before heading to Delta Paintballing, right by Bristol Airport where we met Rog & co. and a few of their friends. We got kitted up and headed into the wood to do battle for the first of six game scenarios (or “maps” as today’s youth, brought up on a diet of CoD, would say.)

Was good fun but physically quite demanding. Day was dry for the most part, but we had a heavy shower around lunchtime which led to one’s googles fogging up in the later games. This, perhaps, explains the “patricide” incident: in the Zombie Apocalypse game had gotten myself into a good position, sheltered by an Iso container, just shy of the enemy forces in front of me. I was taking stock of my position, pondering my next move when I was raked by fire from above and behind!! Hit several times, there was nothing left for me but to accept my demise, hold my hand up and troop back to the deadzone to re-spawn. As I did, I called up to the tower to my rear to see if the blues had taken it, or if it was still in red hands. It was the latter, I was the victim of friendly fire – at the hands of my son!

Ah, the fog of war.

August 14, 2016

Glastonbury Tor

Pic of the week 14/8/16

Each morning, I fling open the shutters of my bedroom and gaze out at Glastonbury Tor, standing proud in the distance. The pic above was taken by Becky at 5.45am this morning before we set off for Cheddar and a car boot sale.

Yesterday, I decided to run up the Tor. Donned my kit and set off. It was almost exactly 4k to the bottom of the Tor – a fairly easy cruise, followed by a tough slog up to the top. I reckon I ran one third of the way up to the Tor (off and on), walking the rest.

After a brief moment to gather my breath & take in the view, I set off back down the hill. Halfway down, the 5th k kicked in, 4-5 k taking 9 mins something. Going back down the Tor was not that quick – despite the slope and gravity’s helping hand it was slower than running on the level.

Back on the level, I carried on home, running each k at an ace over 5 mins (annoyingly, my Fitbit didn’t load the splits), the run finishing at 9.72 km after 55.06 mins. (Regret a little not carrying on to make it a full 10k). My route can be seen below:

Was a little (pleasantly) surprised as to how I took the whole run in my stride (pun intended), both the run itself and after effects which I would describe as minimal.

Have set myself two challenges:

To run the Tor run at least once every holiday (including half terms)
To run all the way up the Tor by the end of 2017.

August 8, 2016

Birthday Boy!

Pic of the week 7/8/16

Sam’s 14th Birthday and my how he has grown. The pic on the right shows him today, towering over his mother, the pic on left was from last summer. This year he has grown from boy to man. (Still not quite my height – but only a couple of cms shorter than me.)

For his birthday he was more than happy with a clutch of X-Box games and a wad of hard cash!

July 31, 2016

Refereeing

Pic of the week 31/7/16

Ref’ed my first non-school game yesterday: Purnells Reserves v Chilcompton, a pre-season OA (Open Age = adults) friendly.

It was a hot day and I discovered that refereeing for 90 minutes is hard work: no resting when the ball gets hoofed up field, as ref you must keep up with play at all times. I’m glad I am as fit as I am now – I think it would be a struggle if not.

Enjoyed it, game went well, no major dramas, neither my parentage nor eyesight was called into question and other than a few inevitable “questions” from disgruntled players the game passed off without incident. Purnells (Orange) won 2-1. Chilcompton (yellow) were the better side, and played some very nice football in the middle of the park, but lacked any real cutting edge and didn’t really often look like scoring.

Their (‘compton) goal (the opening of the game) came in the 11th minute from a free kick on the edge of the area (I think possibly the first free kick I’d given.) There were no complaints about that free kick, but a couple of defenders felt there should have been a foul (to them) immediately before. But I have no idea what they are talking of, and, I think, were just trying it on. Goal was a bit soft – shot, keeper got hands to it, but didn’t hold it (should have done) and it deflected into the net. Can’t really remember too much about the game, but I enjoyed it.

My take away’s from the game:

Positioning. Tried to keep to the Lazy S patrol path, right back to right back, as taught in the course, but this conflicted with the need to be within (say) about 10m of play. In the end, I kept hearing the advice of one of the course tutors who suggested positioning yourself like a sweeper, just behind the player(s) with the ball. This seemed to work a lot better (for me) than the Lazy S patrol path (although I did try to keep the active CAR in sight as well.)
Backing in, niggles and nibbles: not 100% sure I’m getting these right. I.e. when defender has ball under control near his penalty area, loan striker is harassing him, how much do you let go, when do you blow etc? When I have someone to come and watch me, I’ll ask them to focus on this aspect of my game.
I had to work hard to re-establish my concentration at the start of the second half. It was a hot day, a big drink and rest at half time was welcome, but took a few minutes to regain my focus in the second half – one to be aware of for the future.
90 minutes is a long time both physically and mentally. Its not like when you play and you have a breather when the ball is up the other end of the pitch. You’re working for the full 90.
I was surprised how little I blew my whistle. Probably more to do with both teams playing in a positive manner, than me, but I’m not complaining.
A summer in flip-flops, cheap black socks & a hard pitch don’t mix! I’ve now got a whacking big blister on my big toe. Part of my match fee will be going on a pair of cushioned socks!

Match Stats

Purnell Reserves 2 v Chilcompton 1

Open Age Friendly, 90 mins

0 Yellows, 0 Reds

Match fee: £30

July 24, 2016

Glastonbury Tor

Pic of the week 24/7/16

On Friday evening (22 July) at circa 7pm, Sam, Becky & I went up Glastonbury Tor. (Sophie didn’t come: wasn’t feeling too well/exercise/dogs – select excuse as you see fit!)

After a lovely sunny rain, their was the odd spit of rain as we set off but, following my leadership (insistence!) we persevered, albeit Becky with umbrella as we approached the foot of the Tor.

But the rain stopped as we began our ascent and we were rewarded with far reaching views, across as far as to Bridgwater Bay – I was surprised to be able to make out the two square blocks of Hinkley Point power station.

A pleasant way to spend an hour of a summer’s evening, to be reminded of what a beautiful part of the world we live. Couldn’t pick out our house, though, from the top of the Tor.

July 17, 2016

Smashed it!

Pic of the week 17/7/16

Personal bests? Smashed them all today. Ran the 7k run today for the first time since my knee injury in January, and, boy, did I boss it.

Have been running the 6K Tor View run a lot recently, which I think is actually tougher than the 7K run due to the whacking great hill in the middle. The 7K run is essentially flat.

It was still, and humid and warm this morning and I set of at a cruise – not aiming to go particularly fast or slow, just to run. But have been feeling fit of late and the first 2Ks clocked in easily. However, it was when the time for the 4thK came in at 18 mins something that I realised that I could be looking at a sub 24 minute 5K and so I kept up the pace, hitting 5k in 23:39. Was on the flat, just kept going still to hit 6K at 28:23 and, by the time I hit the hill at the end of 7K I’d done enough to get a 7K time of 33:29.

Am impressed with those times – will struggle to beat them, I think, but proud of being sub 24/29/34 for 5, 6 & 7K.