Well, with individual battles across the pitch and pride on the line we welcomed 30 player with a variety of family connection on the pitch; siblings, parent child, husband and wife, and even grandfather and grandson.
It was grandfather and grandson (Tom and Ethan) who faced off for the coin toss. The youngest and oldest players on the pitch captaining the teams, setting the tone for the match with a cordial handshake. As soon as the whistle blew the cordial handshake was forgotten and the family rivalries surfaced.
The Rochester’s went head to head, with Tom coming out on top of a couple of crunching tackles, the Young’s had a foot race - only one winner there! And the Brading’s had a true siblings battle in midfield. (that seemed to last the whole game!)
The deadlock was broken after 15 mins when the Blues drove down the right, a ball flashed across the D beating the defenders and GK, and finding me as promised loitering by the goal for an easy back post tap in. Despite some good running by Jude, definitely the senior Mitchell up in this battle!
There were some great Storey’s (three of them in fact) all across the pitch (sorry couldn’t resist the pun), with Justin (injured) only able to manage form the sidelines meant another tasty sibling rivalry with Ben and Tom seeming to target each other’s space constantly and on purpose, the Mills were rightly kept apart both playing left back for the respective teams, while the Cusk’s seemed to have missed the memo in that they were on opposite teams and teamed up nicely for the equaliser! Dom did a mazey run to the edge of the D and shot/passed the ball towards goal, Mike missed the ball (well first time outfield on pitch for a long while) and with the ball still heading goalwards, Nick managed to wipe out his own keeper and the ball trickled under both player and keeper and into the corner 1:1. (Obviously one out of the Cusk coaching manual!)
Just before the break Harry dented the post from a second shot from a short, it looked like it would be one of those days for the Tanser’s in front of goal (at both ends) So 1:1 at half time.
The second half was much the same, the Hawkins matched up in midfield, with Mark with his calm patience control and Sam more energetic approach being contrasting styles. The Bennett’s were just enjoying playing and seemed as harmonious as a Jane Austin novel, but Matrimonial bliss seem to go out the window as Baz firstly blocked Shez’s shot and then nearly took her head off with a kick out.
Like a middle child trying to grasp the limelight (having not been invited to the coin toss with his father and son) Andy decided to show them both up and how to do it by droving into the D and scoring a cracker to make it 2:1 to the Whites.
With 8 mins to go Blues pulled their keeper to try a find the equaliser, I was secretly hoping for a draw so we could go to shuffles just to see the Stilwell’s in a face off. Something I knew Andy didn’t want but Nate was relishing with glee!
Well it had to happen eventually in a grudge match and despite claiming unfair dismissal, Ben S saw green (not sure what for but clearly deserved), but not for over exuberance sibling rivalry but more rivalry between 1s players. Blues continued to push and nearly equalised save for some goal line clearances and scrambling. A quick break and ball over the top saw Mike try and chase down a ball with the goal at his mercy (as no keeper) but the ball was too fast and he could only manage to knock it onwards towards the back line (as said not a Tanser’s day in front of goal).
And that’s how it ended 2:1 to the Whites and bragging rights to them that is until next year…………

Again many thanks to Lee and Dan C for umpiring and for Shaun opening up the club house and managing the bar for the after match drinks.