Lidstone Cup

Bovey Tracey 2nds 2,

Bovey win 4-2 AET.

The legendary Pelé coined the phrase 'the beautiful game' as descriptive of football. Given his place in the magnificent Brazil national sides of the 1950s, '60s and '70s, it was an apt one, writes John McMyler.

Often the phrase has taken on loftier pronouncements, such as invoking football as a means of uniting the diverse peoples of the world, more usually by the suits in FIFA's marketing empire.

Pelé must often watch matches and wince at the thought that the game being played before him has any resemblance of his 'beautiful game'.

Many people have grown accustomed to the 'professionalism' of football – even down to the common use of the term a 'professional' foul, which to any fan in the stands normally means a brutish tackle to stop the opponent's progress at all costs.

As a football fan and spectator surely it isn't too much to ask that grass roots football should be a clearer exponent of Pelé's optimistic view of football, is it?

These are games played by guys who, presumably, give up their valuable time to participate in a sport that they enjoy, playing against opponents who are basically the same as they are, albeit one might be a joiner, while the other is an accountant.

Or is that just being naïve?

Do we really want cynical fouls, blatant time wasting and shouts bellowed at the referee in an attempt to influence every decision, whether obviously for the opponents rather than themselves?

Had Pelé been at the Recreational Ground on Saturday, he surely would have been shaking his head at some of the antics on display.

A game was played on Saturday afternoon. An understrength Beesands Rovers team were 2-0 down by half time.

Early in the second half the home side were awarded a dubious penalty and Carl Hoare pulled off a great save to deny a third.

From a Josh Pascoe free kick to the back of the box, Tim Bromfield powered a shot past an advancing defender to halve the score.

Just before the end of the match the home side conceded a penalty which Ben Bromfield smashed home for the equaliser.

In the first period of extra time the home side notched up two further goals against a tiring Bees team.

In the second period of extra time a second penalty was conceded by the home side and Ben Bromfield despatched it as efficiently as his first, for the score to finish 4-3.

Next week, hopefully, will see a rather more traditional match report.

The man-of-the-match award went to Tim Bromfield and the match ball sponsor was Ben Wills.

Beesands' next game is a rearranged league fixture at home to Buckland Athletics thirds on Saturday, March 2, with a 2.30pm kick-off.

Everyone is welcome to come along and support the team.