the teams

The cold and wet weather on that Saturday however put a dampener on my excitement leaving fear the front running emotion on my journey to Brook Farm. Through the driving rain I could once again see the merit of avoiding outdoor team sport for so many years.

Looking around the car park at the football grounds for escape routes I found only Fiona bouncing around with enthusiasm - it was clear the game was going to go ahead.

The teams were assigned with scientific precision and once both sides were deemed to have a fair share of pro footballers, those comfortable with the game and twats like me, we set off to the pitch.

We began with a Zambian warm-up that demonstrated, by way of a game of chasing, how Aids can travel through a village at speed and, importantly, who were the players to fear for the following 60 minutes.

The rain showed no sign of giving up and Fiona no sign of letting us off without playing, so, soon enough we were on the pitch. As a member of the red team it was my job to make sure we did as well as we possibly could - the fact that this meant avoiding the ball where possible was OK with me.

The skills on show throughout the game were impressive and once again those who had shown their dodging adeptness in the warm-up shone through on the pitch evading tackles with ease.

Through the relentless rain spirits remained high; adrenaline and camaraderie carried us through the first 30 minutes. I should explain that there was one goalie who split her time between the two teams over the 60 minutes, a girl of great talent who owned the goal and was prepared to protect it with all her might.

After the first half, I speak on behalf of the red team to say that, though we were winning, we worried about our chances once our goal was vacated. The second half was less about racking up a huge score as it was about holding our lead and laughing at the numerous slips and falls taking place on account of the wet grass.

In terms of football skills, it was without a doubt a two-tiered game of the haves and have nots. I think it's fair to say that without either party the game would not have been half as enjoyable.

Players of the match however have to have been our fair and friendly referee, Brian (he is also website editor) and the spectators who came from far (Scotland) and wide (far fetches of London) to stand in the driving rain on a Saturday afternoon and cheer on their friends for Friend of EduSport.

After the game it was off to The New Bull and Butcher on Whetstone High Road where many of the girls got involved in some much-needed hair drying (under the hand-dryer mind you). We were taken good care of by the lovely team behind the bar and well deserved pints hit the back of the nets with ease.