Projex ‘Old-Stars’ Bow Out To Eventual Winners
Projex’s first outing in a very short season saw them compete in national developer Wrenbridge Land’s annual ‘World Cup’ five-a-side tournament in Cambridge in August.
After a gruelling pre-season (well, the long trip down from Leeds & the Olympic breakfast) the lads were well up for it and had set themselves a target of not being too far down the barbecue queue at lunch time.
There was however the initial task of the morning’s group games and trying to qualify for the main knockout cup in the afternoon.
The first game saw Projex dominate the play and it only seemed a matter of time before the first goal arrived, and with Keaney in the form of his wife it duly did; the opposition scored!
The first game defeat did not deter the fine mix of experience and year out youth. Brewer replaced Graham in goal, who came into midfield, perspired for 5 minutes and was himself replaced in need of oxygen. The front pairing of Morphet and Bell proving the difference with Morphet’s weaving run and fine finish the pick of the three goals, which was all the more amazing seeing as he was heading to the goal furthest away from the beer tent! Even the customary Keaney assist for the opposition’s only goal could not prevent a worthy win.
The final group game was a ‘winner takes all’ decider for the runner’s up spot in the group, and with Gregg & Brewer solid at the back like a modern day Butcher & Adams (that’s Frank & Gerry) Projex were always in control. An early lead through Bell gave them something to hold onto and Keaney was replaced before he could bring the opposition back into the match. Unfortunately he was replaced by his son who followed in his father’s footsteps and helped in the equaliser! A tense last few minutes saw Graham get hit by the ball make a couple of fine saves and Bell finish off an excellent move to win the game for Projex which saw them through to the main competition.
Following the lunchtime barbecue and a few ‘refreshments’ a quarter final encounter with a team with a proper adidas kit and whose average age was a good ten years younger, Projex were always up against it.
A basic solid performance was never going to be enough and Projex bowed out in the Quarter Finals sharing a five goal thriller (5-0) to the eventual winners.
…………………….. if only we’d have opted for the Early Starter instead of the Olympic !!!!!
Share This
