Sunshine, Sweat and a Worthwhile Workout

Sunshine, Sweat and a Worthwhile Workout

Those of us of a certain vintage may remember the 1965 film The Hill, where military prisoners were repeatedly sent to struggle up a steep mound of burning sand beneath the relentless Egyptian sun.

At the Imagine Cruising Stadium, football produced its own version. The grass crackled beneath the boots, there was scarcely a breath of wind to disturb the stifling air, and merely standing in the sunshine demanded a degree of endurance.

In such conditions the scoreline was always likely to be secondary. This was ninety minutes of hard labour as much as football, and both sides deserve considerable credit for serving up an entertaining contest despite the oppressive heat.

The managers could rotate their resources at will; the match officials, by contrast, had no such luxury and quietly completed the full ninety minutes with admirable resilience.

Winchester were the sharper in the opening exchanges, enjoying the better of the first five minutes and seeing a confident appeal for a penalty waved away, correctly it seemed.

Marine soon settled. On six minutes Jowan Partridge strode purposefully out from the back before releasing Cheldon Valere on the right. His low cross was intercepted but only as far as Brad Hooper, whose first-time effort drifted narrowly wide.

A few minutes later Sal Abubakar tested the visiting goalkeeper with a firm strike from the edge of the penalty area, while at the other end Drew Brie produced a tidy save after Winchester pieced together an attractive passing move.

The visitors continued to threaten. A teasing cross shortly before the half-hour required decisive defending before it could find an eager attacker, and the game retained a pleasing openness that belied the energy-sapping conditions.

With ten minutes of the first half remaining, Cheldon Valere again caused problems down the flank, his persistence creating the chance for Sal Abubakar, whose effort skimmed just past the upright.

The breakthrough arrived a minute later. Piers Walton’s shot bounced back off the post and, as Winchester only half cleared, Cheldon Valere reacted quickest to guide a composed finish into the top corner.

The contest remained lively. Brie was again called upon to preserve Marine’s advantage with another accomplished stop before Partridge launched another purposeful surge from deep, finding Abubakar, whose inviting cross flashed agonisingly beyond the diving Piers Walton.

Wholesale changes arrived after the interval, Marine introducing an entirely new outfield side while Winchester also refreshed their ranks.

The new-look hosts wasted little time in extending their advantage. Just two minutes into the second half Ryan Alexander delivered a lofted cross which a triallist headed home at the far post to make it 2-0.

Winchester responded positively and reduced the deficit on 64 minutes. A well-delivered cross was cleverly cushioned by their centre forward before he delicately lifted the ball beyond the advancing goalkeeper.

Marine then added an extra layer of difficulty to their afternoon by deliberately reducing themselves to ten men as part of their pre-season preparation. Winchester made intelligent use of the additional space.

Following the award of a Winchester penalty kick the Marine’s triallist goalkeeper produced an outstanding penalty save, only to see fortune desert him as the saved effort struck the crossbar and fell kindly for the taker to convert at the second attempt.

With ten minutes remaining Marine’s triallist striker appeared destined to race clear before being halted by the last defender. In more serious surroundings there may have been animated calls for the brandishing of a red card. Here, in a friendly played throughout in excellent spirit, common sense prevailed and football simply carried on.

The decisive moment arrived in the closing minute. Winchester worked the ball patiently into the penalty area before applying the simplest of finishes from close range to claim victory.

Both managers departed with considerably more encouragement than concern. The result mattered little beside the valuable minutes accumulated, the encouraging contributions of younger players, and the opportunity to sharpen both fitness and tactics under conditions that tested everyone to their limits.

There are easier ways to spend a summer afternoon than playing football beneath an unforgiving July sun, but both teams embraced the challenge with commendable honesty. Those watching were rewarded with an enjoyable contest and, perhaps most importantly at this stage of the season, ninety minutes that will serve both sides well when the serious business begins.

Pete Crockett

Match Photo’s from Alex White Photography
Match Photo’s from Marc Roberts Photography