The traditional Boxing Day football match between the Gower and Ferris took place again this year on a sunny day at Sibford School, in contrast to the fog of last year. The Gower have been victorious for the last few years and again had the more youthful squad, together with a new relatively more youthful manager as Ian Mountford replaced the long serving Alex Rippon. The squads of over 20 for each team were watched by a crowd of well over 50 who were entertained by a flowing game with some good football played. The lady players asked and gave no quarter, and the age gap from youngest to oldest was over 55 years!

The Gower started well and took a 1 goal lead but the Ferris soon equalised from a well taken free kick and began to control the game a bit more. However, the Gower scored again to make it 2-1 and their more youthful players looked stronger for a while but the Ferris fought back and as the subs rolled on and off they equalised with a fine goal.

The last 15 minutes were nail biting with both teams having the chance to win it, and a really good save from Matt Allen prevented a victory for the Ferris towards the end. There was some relief on both sides at the final whistle, and popular opinion was that a penalty shoot out was required! This too was very exciting and tense, with both sides missing penalties to still be even after the 10. It went to sudden death, the Gower penalty sailed over the bar and the cool head of Russell Edward’s won the match for the Ferris. Tom Rowley and Freddie Round scored the Gower goals, and Loz Wroe and Alex George for the Ferris.

It was possibly the best Boxing Day game played, the Wykham Arms was absolutely packed afterwards and over £500 was raised for Katherine House, from subs but mainly from the fantastic drinks stand run by Simon George and Tom Payne.

David Spackman