In what many saw as the main event ahead of the England vs Uruguay warm down the mighty BoC took on former BoC legend Sami and 9 of his children (sadly Saba is at Uni so he didn't have a full team).
Given the World Cup games BoC reached a respectable 10 players following Morrissey's customary arrival 10 minutes into the match.
The performance standard of the oppo was a bit erratic. Some great touches and moments of magic and some odd decision making. They also spent half the game trash talking each other but big families always have these rivalries.
It was a good open game in the heat but at time it was men against boys (which Little Ritchie has always found confusing as his criminal record attests).
BoC won possession high up the field several times when we could be bothered but it was one of those games when there was so much space and so many options (including driving on and shooting) that too often our attacking play was a bit indecisive.
Long Tall Latch twice shooting wide of the target when in good positions and Ilyas also missing a few chances he'd normally score.
Still it was BoC creating all the chances and soon enough a good corner delivery from Phil was headed in powerfully by big James Sheedy as he arrived at the back post.
With Latchford starting up front and Ilyas floating, Wayne starting in a unusual left wing position but his prolific goalscoring continued as he cut inside to fire past the handy Sami jr keeper.
With Latchford fading faster than England's world cup hopes he switched into nets and set of a domino rally in the team as it allowed Hoof to play in defence, Stu in midfield and Wayne to play up front.
As players tired and spaces up there was plenty of chances - particularly at the Boys end.
I've been asked to give a special mention to Phil who often refuses to shoot and passes to a lesser player as a clear sign of his unselfishness and his desire not to reveal to the opposition and us the extent to which he is too good to play with us. However, tonight when there was often little choice but shoot he revealed a possible alternative explanation. His shots wide from 8, 12, 18, 20 and 22 yards hinted that maybe he really does belong at BoC.
In the host of missed chances Wayne slotted home a third from inside the box but then team Sami broke forward and as Little Rich pressed his boy to no avail, Big Jim was left in a straight foot race from the halfway line with one of their quickest and most talented players. He was a good (and fast player) and slotted the resultant 1:1 with little effort.
But there was no comeback. It was more a case of Good Golly Mr Ilyas as he went on a mazy dribble and with about 163 opportunities to pass he kept fooling the oppo he tricked his way into the box before slotting a wondrous solo goal.
Game over and to the pub.
Main lowlights were England playing poorly, me slipping into a fevery haze before a death defying ride home on a bike held together by gaffer tape and Tutti Frutti Hoof wandering round the pub looking a poof (if that's what they call them these days) to sit on.
(c) Latchford June 2014
