U3A Moraira-Teulada Walking Football Group field their secret weapon, a ladies team when they meet an away team from Los Montesinos
In less than 12 months, the U3A Moraira-Teulada Walking Football group has grown from a few players struggling to form a 5 a side team, to over 30. On Thursday 28th January, they hosted 3 teams from Los Montesinos in their first competitive match.
The visitors were from Los Montesinos, inland across the salt lake, from Torrevieja. Their local Walking Football group was formed to bring expats in the area together. In order to play in Moraira the away team hired a coach and, as well as their 20 players, they brought 34 supporters creating a wonderful atmosphere on the perfect sunny day.
As far as we are aware Moraira U3A achieved a Spanish ‘first’ in fielding a ladies’ team. The Ladies played two games against two different men’s teams and emerged unbeaten. These are retired ladies, many having taken up football for the very first time and it is not an exaggeration to describe their performance as sensational. Having gone behind early in their first match, mouths could have dropped and goals mounted, but the girls gave everything and were rewarded with a 1-1 draw when Val converted a well earned penalty. In their second game, the other team members, Shirley, Barb, Deb and Louise defended bravely and forced a 0-0 draw.
The two local men’s teams, captained by Bob Nix and Chris Cooper, proved too strong for their opponents and won all of their games. The Moraira Challenge Trophy was the prize and with 5 wins and 2 draws, the trophy will stay in Moraira.
After the match over 80 people enjoyed a carvery lunch at Munro’s where groups leader, Chris Dry was presented with the ‘Moraira Challenge Trophy’ by the Los Montesinos group leader, Stan Dibble. It was clear from comments made, that the guests and host team had had a fabulous day. The sport was played competitively, but in good spirit. Those visitors who had the opportunity to walk around Moraira’s front and harbour, were hugely complimentary about the town.
Most of the players had considered that their footballing careers finished 30 or more years ago. Walking football reignites that passion which was once lost. The game is played at walking speed, demands precise positional play and carefully weighted passes, a real test of skill. We play on the Astro turf pitch next to La Senieta, Moraira every Thursday at 10.30 a.m. Come and join us.
Any other teams on the Costa Blanca would like a match, contact Chris Dry crdry@hotmail.co.uk.
