colombolions.com

[the gaffer]

CLFC 1 Old Anandians 4
NFTC, Beddegana
Saturday 1st April 2006

Helen Keller once said: "We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world."
But then again, what did she know?

The mighty Lions were once again undone by the sheer length and size of their new home last Saturday afternoon, though put out a display of guts and effort (and perhaps, at times, skill) worthy of the good lady herself.

With light rapidly fading, and the first clouds of the monsoon season gathering over the grazing water buffaloes in the distance, the Old Anandians finally arrived and in a hurried blur of gold and red shoehorned their aging bodies into their freshly laundered kit. K2, who was busy orchestrating the majestic Lions hoof-up routine, chuckled slyly to himself, "surely today, surely of all days..."

The large circle gathered round the Gaffer dispersed and the Lions lined up ready for the whistle. A few old faces had made the game (Raj, looking as demure as ever; Jack Jack Attack, fresh from measuring the dimensions of his house in a drunk/disgust fit) but were happy to take a cameo role.

The game began in a flurry of activity and scrambled play. The Lions could sense a win and were looking for goals. Almost as if scripted, the first chance fell to the Gaffer, but he couldn't manage to get his left foot round it and fired a half volley into the side netting. The attacks still came. Ali's surging runs through midfield were beginning to open up the aged Anandian defence. Stevie A showed grace and poise but could not beat the keeper after great work inside the box. A quick break saw the Gaffer feed a gorgeous throughball to Mucky but despite his great determination he could not convert. Then, suddenly, a break from the opposition and the Lions were down 0-1.

Not to be defeated, the players rallied and the equalizer soon came. The Toe, who is quickly becoming the Lions No 1 target man, found the ball on the edge of the box, turned deftly before being savagely hacked down. Penalty! The Gaffer placed the ball on the spot, took a glance at the spritely youth the Old Anandians had hoodwinked to play for them, then calmly dispatched the ball home... 1-1 and half time.

There were changes to make and, with 7 subs to play with, Captain D had work to do. A brief chat and restructing and the Lions were back on, a new look to the defence and attack.

The play continued as before, with the Lions getting the majority of the ball yet being caught on the counter attack time and time again. Great attacking play all around, but the balls over the top left our keeper exposed to countless one on ones. The goals leaked in steadily but surely. Our experienced keeper to be blamed for some of them, but poor defensive structure and over-enthusiatic attacking play really to blame.

The whistle blew time on what was nevertheless a thoroughly enjoyable match. Played with great spirit and enthusiasm, the match befittingly marked the end of the Gaffer's reign as manager and midfield dynamo of the Colombo Lions FC. He may not have seen the joys and delight of success every weekend, but what he has enjoyed has been worth much more than that. Thanks again gents and for the last time...