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The football diaries.
The match, actually scheduled for Sunday morning, was another one that was snowed off. Its the first time that I remember 2 matches being snowed off in the same season.
Arrived at the ground, high above the village of Folgoso, in the midst of a monumental blizzard. The ref had taken refuge in his hut and refused to come out even to inspect the pitch. Or he might have been afraid of Mingoya and son hassling him for the 3 penalties hed awarded against us the previous week. Meanwhile the pitmen (or their sons, half of our opponents seemed to be 16 year olds) were sitting moodily in the changing rooms. I dont think theyd expected us to show up and were waiting to bag the 3 points without playing. After about 5 minutes hanging around in the snowstorm the ref suddenly emerged, said thats it, Im going home and sodded off without so much as a glance towards the playing surface.
We ended up in the nearest bar. Mingoya senior was soon accompanied by a large jug of beer and the old sea dog told us of how in his 35-year football career hed often played on pitches with several cms of snow and a layer of ice underneath as well. I ordered a coffee (not into early morning beers) and was accused of not being English. Noticed one local at the bar sporting a fine pair of clogs ("zuecos") which are still used in the villages when theres muddy snow to be negotiated.
Next week were at home to the village team of Valdecañada.
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