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Only 58 different plants this week. Slipping.
Phoebe is still into playing football, but there's a lot of competition for girls' soccer in this town and so this term she's only been playing social football with other girls on the waiting list. But this morning they'd arranged a friendly match and I got my first Saturday morning out watching U10 football in a while. And I realised how much I'd missed it.
Given the girls in Phoebe's team had never played a competitive match together they were phenomenal and completely dominated the other slightly more experienced team for the first two quarters. Even more excitingly Phoebe scored the first goal. It is the first time she's scored in all the matches she's played. To be fair she was usually in defence in her old team, where she was fearless and fearsome, only playing with and against boys but more than holding her own. It was a great shot too and I couldn't have felt more elated if I'd scored myself. And if I had scored I would have felt slightly weird as the only 57 year old man on a team of 9 year old girls. It might have taken something away from the achievement, though I have to say those girls are probably better at football than me, though I reckon I could have intimidated them with my size and also left them quite confused and scared, so I still think I could have scored.
Phoebe's team went 2-0 up and it looked like it might be a walkover, but the other side had one attack in the first half and one shot and though our goalie got a hand to to it, it bounced over the line. Still 2-1 at half time and the team passing beautifully, with Phoebe taking on the role of unofficial captain and heading to defence for the second half. I was pretty sure we'd walk it.
We hit the bar and just missed the opportunity to get into an unassailable 3-1 lead, but unused to the intensity of four 12 and a half minute quarters the girls all started flagging. In the end the other side rallied in the final quarter and scored a couple of impressive quick goals and won a notable, if slightly undeserved victory. They should have brought me on, but to be fair I was the only parent who had brought their own collapsible chair for the match because I didn't want to stand up for all that time, so they might have figured I wasn't fit enough. Also, you know, I am not a female (though they never asked how I identified) or under 10 (though they never asked what age I identified as).
I'm joking. I couldn't have played. I identify as a four year old boy.
There were no tears and the girls took it well and the parents were all very impressed with the cohesion and team spirit that had developed over the last few weeks. Phoebe was given Player of the Match for her side by the other team and given a certificate and a pack of Haribo, which was a nice touch. And she was the best of a good side, but had been playing longer than most of the others. Also I am her dad, so may be biased, but she was still the best, even taking that into account.
Having come from a team and pretty much a league where Phoebe was the only girl, it's great to see girls' football so popular and oversubscribed here. The boys did respect and admire Phoebe's bravery and defensive skills in the end, but it took a while for them to even pass to her. But what was remarkable about this fledgling team was how unselfish they were and how accurately they passed the ball. It was a thing of beauty to watch. I felt the pride of a father, but am happy to report it was entirely pride at the skill of my daughter and not of myself for having produced her. She is an impressive human in spite of, not because of me.
The parents seem like a nice bunch. And we chatted during the game - I'd only really spoken to one of them before. Two of the dads were discussing college romances for some reason and one said that he'd wasted three years at University, trying to date a lesbian barmaid . I took a chance and said "You know not wanting to have sex with you doesn't make someone a lesbian." Luckily everyone laughed, even the guy, but especially the mums, and I think his wife really liked it. Good to get a laugh from a new crowd.
