When I was wee there was a kid in my class who would always thrash everyone else at Subuteo – he had skills a flicking sight better than any of the rest of us. That was fine, that was his thing; ours was fitba but when it came to that he was plain useless- could hardly kick a ba’.
Different strokes for different folks – the miniature version isn’t the real thing at all. What set me thinking about this was our recent game on Cove’s Subuteo- sized pitch – yes I know it’s not quite that wee but there’s still little doubt that it’s a different game to the one you play elsewhere. At Cove you can take throw–ins right into the goalmouth. Keepers can and do regularly punt the ball to land in the opposition penalty box and so on. You simply can’t do things like that on a “proper” grown up size pitch.
Cove play about 20 games a season on it and the rest of us once a year unless a cup game draws you back for a second one. It must have been a significant advantage to them over the years. They have learned and practiced (or they’d be daft if they didn’t) a game to suit their set up – an opportunity the other teams are not presented with.
I suspect the local pitch and putt champion, whoever he may be, would fancy his chances on his own turf against Rory McIlroy. The relationship between football at Cove and elsewhere doesn’t seem too far away from that between pitch and putt in the park and golf on the links.
I know Cove have to move elsewhere next season and it’s not their fault the pitch is so wee but how well has it served them over the years?
If you are interested in writing about your Highland League club, email andrew.clark@ajl.co.uk