Dads and Lads and the Schoolboys Fixture

The weather tried but failed to spoil the traditional end of year events, and so many thanks to Jerry Hopkins and Pete Harthan in particular for ensuring the success of these events.

A report for the Schoolboys game is here, Pete Harthan’s report on the Dads and Lads fixture is …

A change of venue did not change the usual outcome of this fixture. Goals Football football used to be Everton’s training pitch and it was humbling to think that players like Ian Marshall, Neil Adams, Neil McDonald, Graeme Sharp and Stuart Barlow had once honed their skills there before moving on to greater things. Pre-match routines were thrown into chaos with a late change of kick off time with snow needing to be swept off the pitch. It was a high scoring match, most players got on the score sheet one way or another (Gendall scored an oggie which I think was unintended). All the kids played their part, a young lad called Jack was a particular thorn in the Dad’s side. The traditional refereeing for this fixture had to be moderated a little as the kids team started to show some guile by throwing themselves to the ground in search of free kicks from a generous official, that was certainly not to be encouraged. At the final whistle the scores were level resulting in a penalty shoot out. The kids kept their nerve under the floodlights and were victorious.