Having been arranged by our own Marc Bassinder, the cavaliers today took a team in to H.M.P. Aylesbury (young offenders) to play their football team.
On a warm, spring afternoon, the prisoners (who fielded a different team each half) ran out winners by the score of 9-3. The half time score had been 7-2, so it was a much improved 2nd half display from the cavaliers.
The prisoners virtually scored from the kickoff and showed that they had fitness in abundance, and some very good, fast, skillful, players, some of which had been ex youth players at pro teams like Brentford, Chelsea, and Stoke city.
Dino Rice once again (in the absence of our regular goalkeeper) stepped in and played between the sticks. After falling behind to another goal, the Cav`s got back into the game with a strike from Raimond Lee-Long, and a well worked goal which was despatched by Joshua Rice after being set up by an unselfish pass from his brother Jordan. This made the score 2-2 and it looked like the Cav`s were just starting to take the upper hand. However, a hand ball led to a silly penalty, and another misplaced pass by the Cavaliers led to the prisoners quickly swinging the game back in to their favour, making the score 4-2. Then, to make matters worse a definate Cavalier goal was then incredibly ruled out, or not given despite clearly going in.This injustice (though the only mistake the excellent referee made) frustrated the Cav`s and another 3 goals were very quickly shipped.These were again, due to individual mistakes being ruthlessly pounced upon by the well drilled and supremely fit opposition. The game finished at the half 7-2 to the prisoners.
Though a bit shell shocked, the Cavaliers listened to Aiden Bailey`s half time team talk, and some tactical changes were made to the defence. The Cavaliers shored up the leaks, with the prisoners (despite having some even better players in their 2nd half team) only managing a further 2 more goals. Raimond Lee-Long added another well taken goal for the Cavaliers and there was other chances too, but they were not taken. Also, playing up the considerable slope seemed to be taking it`s toll on some of the senior and veteran players in the cav`s ranks. The cause was also made harder by influential midfielder Tom Smith being lost to a rib injury.
Despite the score, every one seemed to really enjoy it, and there was no animosity between the teams, with there being some good natured banter, respect, and sportsmanship.
We will be looking to play another game with them later this summer.
Royalist Cup 7 was played this morning in bitterly cold, windy, conditions. The two teams had only been able to take to the field because of some last minute `draft ins` that had kindly agreed to come along and play, which we were especially grateful for as it was also Mothers day !!!. The `new` Cavalier recruits on both sides were all good players, who helped make it an entertaining and enjoyable game. The Gold Cavaliers in the end finished the winners over the Purple Cavaliers by the flattering score of 5-1, but it was a lot more closer affair than the scoreline suggests. The Gold`s just took their chances and were more clinical in front of goal, but the Purple Cav`s had a lot of possession, played some nice football, and were very unlucky at times. They also only had the one subsitute to use.
