CLEVEDON UTD U11's Girls Vs AEK Boco

Standing on the side lines this past Sunday as a parent when its 3°C, the air filled with drizzle, windy and grey, two pairs of winter socks, a multitude of layers, woolly hat and a scarf, it's a stark reminder that December and the winter months are well and truly here and a billion miles away from the scorching sun and warmth of the World Cup in Qatar.

I watched my daughter peel off her training jacket, and apprehensively, with a shudder of coldness, take the long walk to the centre circle. Whilst the parents almost huddle together like penguins in an Antarctic snow blizzard searching for any kind of warmth. 

Both teams now formed up into their positions, waiting, a moment of stillness before the whistle blows to start the game and only the chattering of teeth could be heard above the sound of the wind as it whips around the exposed playing fields. The Clevedon Utd girls AKA "The Red Tigers" stood dancing on the spot to generate some warmth and with their brand new kit sponsored by Stowell Concrete seemingly radiating heat from its newness and colour.

The whistle blew, they were off!! The green grass soon being churned up and with Keystone cops antics the "Red Tigers" slipped and slid into several early attacks. It was clear to see from very early on who the dominant force was as the Bristol based AEK Boco were forced to take up a very defensive stance from the get go.

It wasn't too long to wait before things "heated up" with regards to goal mouth action; Bocos defence grouping together to stop the onslaught of strikes on goal. A gaggle of Stowell Concrete logos prancing around, swarming on the edge of the 6 yard box ... the ball ricocheted off a poor Boco player, who was totally unaware of where it came from, falling to earth the ball bounced and a familiar coloured football boot reached out and connected squarely with it ..... we watched, as if in slow motion, as the white sphere travelled goal bound, the white netting rippling, catching it like a lone fish leaping from water.

Cheers through clenched teeth from the parents, the wind chill factor increasing, the stripy black and red football shirts jumping around in jubilation, high fiving, pats on the back and a sudden warmth of happiness as my daughter gave me the thumbs up, awkwardly, not trying to draw extra attention to herself after scoring. 

Back to the centre circle the ball went, an upbeat Clevedon with frozen fingers, cold rosy faces, feet like blocks of ice but fire within their bellies, a determination to take the battle to their "enemies." A two week absence from the pitches clearly not making a difference as the onslaught continued with Boco conceding a thunderous own goal and then a cleverly worked attack found the opposition goalkeeper once again retrieving the ball from the back of the net.

The game "hot" to watch but with players and parents still trying to thaw out from the bitter weather conditions.

The final score :-

CLEVEDON UTD 3 - AEK BOCO 0

Clearly the new Stowell Concrete kit has brought good luck and some much needed colour to the dreariness and drab Winter weather on Sunday mornings.