Annual river football clash goes ahead despite waterlogged pitch

Soccer matches are usually known as off if the pitch is waterlogged – besides within the Cotswolds.

Two groups braved chilly water to participate within the annual Soccer In The River match in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire.

Whereas a lot of the nation has basked in a heatwave this summer time and plenty of areas have been declared a drought, there have been no such considerations within the Cotswolds because the pitch was in tip-top moist situation.

Footballers from Bourton Rovers go in deep as they battle for the ball (Ben Birchall/PA)

The 30-minute sport was performed out between combined groups of Bourton Rovers 1st XI and 2nd XI and kicked off at 11.30am.

Round 2,000 spectators lined the banks of the river to benefit from the annual five-a-side conflict that takes place within the ankle-deep water of the Windrush.

It isn't clear how the concept of enjoying a soccer match in a river first arose, however the custom has reportedly been going robust for round 100 years.

The match commonly attracts massive crowds and followers are suggested to put on waterproofs in the event that they plan to face near the facet of the “pitch”.

Footballers from Bourton Rovers don’t let a river put them off (Ben Birchall/PA)

This 12 months’s match ended 3-3 after the 2nd XI in yellow shirts scored a final minute equaliser when the ref was distracted.

The first XI had taken an early lead and a second aim was dominated out after the referee consulted the riverside VAR.

The second half began with the first XI 2-1 up and so they shortly made it 3-1 earlier than the 2nd XI missed a controversial penalty when it was saved by the goalkeeper.

The 2nd XI got here again into the sport when the first XI had a participant despatched off for a second bookable offence and pulled the sport again to 3-2.

Right here’s a really waterlogged pitch (Ben Birchall/PA)

They'd an equaliser chalked off by the ref for collapsing the aim posts however on the dying introduced the sport to 3-3 with the final kick of the sport.

Jack Galpin, who refereed the sport dressed as a girl, mentioned: “It's sensible to have the crowds again because the final couple of years have been quite a bit quieter throughout the pandemic.

“It's sensible for us as a membership as this occasion is our fundamental fundraiser for the 12 months and it was wonderful to see so many individuals watching.”