31 May 2006 - Football Heaven at Stevenage Haven
"Footie Heaven at the Haven"....."The Haven team goes from strength to strength".... from our new Senior Project Worker and Team Manager, Kester Gillard.
This month we have played Ripon Road twice.
First at the Leisure Centre where we fielded Matt, Justin, Kevin, Mick, Alan F, Josh, Ian and Sean with Neil and Andy from the staff and Caroline, Lorraine and Nikita as cheerleaders (but sadly without pom poms). Ripon Road turned up looking flash in their strip and the game started off at a really fast pace. Fortunately, a mix of youthfull enthusiasm and mature experience soon showed what we were capable of and some impressive goals from Sean and Andy, some impressive goalkeeping from Josh and Mick and some nifty defence from Neil gave us a comfortable win (in the excitement we have now forgotten the exact score, but we won, which is what matters). Out team got back happy and exhausted and ready to play again (though not the next day as several of our players were feeling the strain). Thanks also to the Ripon Road guys who gave us a great game.
At the end Del suggested we join them on a Wednesday night when they play again and offered food as well (always a winner!!). This Wednesday Ian, Mark, Paul, Sean and a few extras (Ross, Jay, Danny and CJ) who made up the team went over to play at Ripon Road. The conditions were pretty bad (as in constant rain all day) but the enthusiasm made up for it and we were soon piling on the pressure. Ian and Mark alternated in goal producing and cracking saves and everyone had a shot at scoring, eventually ending up with a resounding win of 9-4. Both teams went for it big time and ended up very wet and muddy but happy. Ripon Road provided plenty of food and on the way back we all ended up singing 'We are the Champions!!'.
More matches are planned - we hope to have a Haven match between our youngsters and older residents (and staff) and we will be playing against Ripon Road again soon.
Thanks to everyone who has played for the Haven and to Ripon Road for giving us such a cool team to play against and to Del and Andy for their organisation.
Kester Gillard.
SUPPORT US!!