Du Sublime Au Ridicule Il N’y A Qu’un Pas

[There is only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous]

Napoleon Bonaparte

Felixstowe 2nd 7-4 Felixstowe 3rd

Pacifists argue that in some ways having an enemy is very bad. It can disturb our mental peace, cloud judgement and bring out unprecedented raw emotion. However, from another angle it can be used in a positive manner to practise what is preached. An enemy can be an outside influence attacking the foundations of what you stand for. However, sometimes the strongest enemy can be from within challenging the very philosophy that defines you. Felixstowe 11’s faced such an occurrence with the day’s challengers being from within or underneath in the form of Felixstowe 111’s.

The intentions of Captain Beecroft were truly honourable as he made light of the packed and full squad of the third team in comparison to the bare bones of the second team’s eleven.

“Full seventy for everyone!”

The strength of today’s challengers was significantly boosted by the presence of such second team past promotion winning alumni of Joseph Cooksey, Aarron Taylor and Neil Macpherson. Felixstowe made hay whilst the sun gleamed brightly as passes were accurately threaded across the pitch and the dynamic running of Jay Steward, William Jukes and Ben Fowler panicked the heart of the opposition’s defence. The hammer began to fall as the second team created a healthy number of chances without making an impression upon the scoreboard. The fearless Jeremy Rennie proved a defensive stalwart that the second team struggled to break.

Pressure has a way of making waves causing the mind to either grow or buckle under uncertainty. Once the penny dropped that slotting the ball in the goal was undeniably a good thing the second team menacingly clawed at the good thing. Jay Steward fashioned a superlative hit into the bottom corner and then a goalmouth scramble was scrambled in. The second team soared high as the intrepid William Jukes set loose Pandora’s Box at the target for a three nil lead. The Second team had broken the back of the game and chalked up a healthy cushion of breathing comfort. 

The second team handled the oppositions cautious 4-5-1 formation with rigour and aplomb but not without incident. The third team possessed a unique fighting spirit branded as ‘Belief’ in times past and more recently as a ‘Crazy Gang Mentality’.  The fighting spirit grew in confidence and manifested in the testing of the resolute keeper Danny Macguinn with battling intent. A short corner was tucked away slashing the margin of lead to only 3-1 on the whistle of half time.

Half Time
Felixstowe 2nd 3-1 Felixstowe 3rd

The second half began with Felixstowe 11’s keen to dent the opposition’s optimistic disposition. The powerful Sam Harris rallied to his team’s objective and ascended to more than a man. Harris was untouchable as he led the line with power, venom and brought forth his team into a season of mist and mellow fruitfulness. In a game finishing spell the second team ran the opposition ragged and shaped another three goals. Harris arrowed an awe inspiring strike home and Charles Burton proved a perfect strike foil as he crafted home his own chance. Burton moved the ball in ways he had never known and became the ultimate new trick.

The second team were in a sublime ascendency but dented their copybook through falling into the ridiculous. Suddenly, the third team had the better of the play and began producing chances. Captain Beecroft, demonstrated his passion to the cause by giving blood in trying to stop the second of two goals that were pegged back. A dazed, confused and bloody Robin Beecroft quoted the monarchic dandy George 1V; ‘Harris, I am not well. Get me a brandy?’ Despite being down to the bare bones of 11 our industrious captain still managed a ten-minute breather.

The isolated third team striker Ryan Stockton became a little less isolated when with a high- pitch scream he tentatively prodded home pegging a fourth goal back. However, the second team moved back into the sublime and wrestled back the momentum. The superiority was cemented when Ben Fowler banged home a seventh goal re-instating the three goal advantage. Significantly, the banged seventh goal was possibly Fowler’s third and a jug is surely needed upon the opening of the much loved club house? Also, Burton must surely be called to trial for alleged hat-trick avoidance?

The season’s campaign begins in the fine city of Norwich.  

The unofficial man of the adjudicator awarded Sam Harris the man on the match award.

Felistowe 11’s were; Danny MacGuinn, James Naylor, Robin Beecroft, Mark Bailey, Jonny Bax, James Pettit, Jay Steward, Ben Fowler, William Jukes, Sam Harris, Charles