Game 55, 2016-17
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| Most of us are doing what we can... |
It’s the last weekend of the season, and it
ends up being another game when my expectations are confounded. These are not
only two clubs I’ve had trouble with in the past, but the game is at boys’ U17
level - that age when hormones seem most volatile, and the urge to shove, kick
or insult an opponent can override the threat of punishment. Just like last
week, I issue a pre-match appeal for calm, sportsmanship and decency, and point
out that we’d all like to reach the end of the season unscathed.
There’s a size and talent gap between the
home and the away team, but they both play decent football. Lacking any subs, the
away team tires in the second half on a hot afternoon. Unlike many teams in
their age group, though, they don’t start kicking out in frustration, or to
yell at each other’s mistakes. They keep passing the ball along the ground
right until the final whistle. The young coach utters not a word in my
direction all game.
We get through with just a single yellow
card on either side – one for a second clumsy foul (away team), the other for
chucking an opponent to the ground (home team). The latter offence happens ten
minutes before time, with the home team already 6-1 ahead. “Hey, we’ve had none
of that all afternoon – don’t spoil a sporting contest,” I carp. The player
raises his arms to acknowledge the crime, and someone else agrees with me.
Maybe a player, maybe a coach. That’s as
controversial as it gets.
