(no subject)
Another early start to get the train to Basingstoke (gout still playing up too much for comfortable distance driving) for a 9.45 start at the Hampshire FA women's five-a-side. Charlotte, our former captain, was one of the organisers; managed a quick chat with her before she had to knuckle down to registering teams and handing out programmes and Respect armbands.
Before the games began, a male coach from one of the other teams noticed with delight a catering van with a sign reading "The Great British Take Away". "Kebabs?" one of the girls in his team asked. His reply was "No, it's not the Turkish Takeaway! It's the Great British Takeaway! Burgers! Hot dogs!" Both of which are American, but never mind.
With only one team from each group going through, and Hawks being in the same group Portsmouth Ladies A, qualifying was always going to be a big ask. Probably we lost it in the first game against AFC Dynamo Pink, where, up against a weird lady ref and seeming to have left our shooting boots at home, we only won 1-0, putting us on the back foot with goal difference as Portsmouth had already beaten Winchester Yellow 4-0.
We drew with Pompey 1-1. Kerrie, an ex-Hawk now with Portsmouth Ladies but not in action today, watched that game with Yzzy, Jess and me; towards the end Kerrie asked me "Why don't you become a Pompey fan? Start following us?"
"I love these girls too much," I replied, drawing "Aww, we love you too" from Jess.
Excellent chips from the Great British Takaway, to which I liberally applied mayonnaise Belgian style - even if I and my fellow customers did have to ask the two guys serving to get out some salt and vinegar as there were none on the counter with the sauces. As one lady said "You can't have chips without salt and vinegar!"
Hawks gubbed Winchester 7-0, leaving us needing Pompey to do no better than a three-goal win against Dynamo. We all lined the side of the pitch cheering for Dynamo, but by half-time Pompey had taken a 3-0 lead. Dynamo had managed a couple of shots on goal, and defended well after the break, but eventually Portsmouth got a fourth.
"If it stays like this, we face Pompey in a penalty shoot-out." Leon and Yzzy were well up for one of those, but some of the team seemed not to fancy the prospect so much. It soon became academic as a blue-shirted girl ran in number five.
"Dynamo have got to score twice now." That looked less likely than a leopard taking its morning stroll wearing a pin-stripe, and when Portsmouth got their sixth we wended our way back to where we'd set up camp, to dismantle the tent and wend our way wearily home.
Saying goodbye, I said to the girls "Have a good night on Friday" - Presentation Night. On hearing that I wouldn't be there because I'll be arriving on the Isle of Wight for the Island Games, Trev urged me to cancel my IOW trip.
My heart goes out to you, Amy...
Before the games began, a male coach from one of the other teams noticed with delight a catering van with a sign reading "The Great British Take Away". "Kebabs?" one of the girls in his team asked. His reply was "No, it's not the Turkish Takeaway! It's the Great British Takeaway! Burgers! Hot dogs!" Both of which are American, but never mind.
With only one team from each group going through, and Hawks being in the same group Portsmouth Ladies A, qualifying was always going to be a big ask. Probably we lost it in the first game against AFC Dynamo Pink, where, up against a weird lady ref and seeming to have left our shooting boots at home, we only won 1-0, putting us on the back foot with goal difference as Portsmouth had already beaten Winchester Yellow 4-0.
We drew with Pompey 1-1. Kerrie, an ex-Hawk now with Portsmouth Ladies but not in action today, watched that game with Yzzy, Jess and me; towards the end Kerrie asked me "Why don't you become a Pompey fan? Start following us?"
"I love these girls too much," I replied, drawing "Aww, we love you too" from Jess.
Excellent chips from the Great British Takaway, to which I liberally applied mayonnaise Belgian style - even if I and my fellow customers did have to ask the two guys serving to get out some salt and vinegar as there were none on the counter with the sauces. As one lady said "You can't have chips without salt and vinegar!"
Hawks gubbed Winchester 7-0, leaving us needing Pompey to do no better than a three-goal win against Dynamo. We all lined the side of the pitch cheering for Dynamo, but by half-time Pompey had taken a 3-0 lead. Dynamo had managed a couple of shots on goal, and defended well after the break, but eventually Portsmouth got a fourth.
"If it stays like this, we face Pompey in a penalty shoot-out." Leon and Yzzy were well up for one of those, but some of the team seemed not to fancy the prospect so much. It soon became academic as a blue-shirted girl ran in number five.
"Dynamo have got to score twice now." That looked less likely than a leopard taking its morning stroll wearing a pin-stripe, and when Portsmouth got their sixth we wended our way back to where we'd set up camp, to dismantle the tent and wend our way wearily home.
Saying goodbye, I said to the girls "Have a good night on Friday" - Presentation Night. On hearing that I wouldn't be there because I'll be arriving on the Isle of Wight for the Island Games, Trev urged me to cancel my IOW trip.
My heart goes out to you, Amy...