A dish best served cold

By Bad Dad on Sep 23, 08 01:43 PM

My 13-year-old lad is a good, old fashioned boy.

He likes nothing better than playing footie in the park until after dark, coming home for food, going out again and then refusing to shower.

He's got a kind temperament but is fiercely loyal and reacts badly if his dignity is challenged.

So when he emerged from defence with the ball at his feet in a Sunday league game only to stand on the ball (we've all done it) and a rival player laughed at him, I cringed.

Alex said nothing but clearly took a mental note of the transgressor.

The game continued and then it happened.

Two minutes from time a throw in to the opposition right in front of me.
The laughing striker shielded it but only for a second as Alex came through the back of him like a steam train, leaving him in a crumpled heap on the ground.

Part of me was angry at his lack of discipline at giving away a free kick, but I'm ashamed to say there was a tiny bit of me that was delighted that he was happy to stand his ground and fight his own battles.

The striker will think twice about mocking other peoples' misfortunes in future.