Walking Football Update

Angels O65 0-7 Bexley O65

A lovely Spring morning saw our Over 65 team play their final league game of the season against the champions elect Bexley. Our team’s second place finish was already guaranteed but against such strong opposition containing four internationals the Angels hoped to put in a good performance. 

We started strongly and had Bexley on the back foot for the majority of the first half. The passing was crisp, lots of shots and we played Bexley at their own game. But unfortunately a defensive slip in the eighth minute left Bexley with a scoring chance and they didn’t miss. The Angels rallied and controlled the remainder of the first half.

Deciding against any half time changes because we looked in a positive mood, the second half proved to be very different. Bexley made continual substitutions to create confusion within the Angels ranks as they used the roll on/roll off rule to their advantage. In a switch of tactics to counter this, another misplaced pass led to Bexley’s second goal in the 28th minute and then they took complete control scoring again at 29, 34, 35, 36 and 40 minutes to win the game comprehensively. It definitely was a game of two halves and wasn’t a true  reflection of the overall game. 

In discussion with the Bexley captain afterwards he said that they had resorted to those tactics because at half time they were very concerned that their many years unbeaten run was going to come to an end. 

This was the Angels first season in the Over 65 age bracket and to finish second has been an amazing performance. Credit to everyone involved in the set up, running and representing this team. 

Next up for the Angels Walking Footballers is a mini tournament at Maida Vale in London and then follows the Kent League finals day for our over 60s Blues at Maidstone on Sunday 17th May.

Report from Glyn Hollands