Goal!

Goal

The Wakefield domain is quiet at 6:30pm,

but 20 men,

some old, some young,

amble and shamble out from the clubhouse

onto the pitch.

The trees enclose the space.

It is ours.

We kick the ball about

on the lush green grass,

carefully re-sown since last season,

until it is time to gather together.

There are jokes and jibes,

then it is time for getting serious.

A warm up run;

 with sprints,

then stretches.

The two sides face each other 

and we start.

The ball is passed from one to the other,

intercepted,

headed,

trapped,

kicked

and chased

up and down the pitch.

It slips by

and someone gets it in the net.

Off we go again,

corner,

pass,

pass,

miss.

Attack,

defend,

attack,

The ball is passed to me and 

I flick it on

to a team mate.

He scores.

We start again.

Muscles strain,

we stretch,

and pass,

and kick and run

listen to the calls.

A pass,

I run,

chase

a touch

and...

Goal!

mine

The first of the season.

A good night at football practice.