Football Africa: There's been a late goal in Marsabit!...but which way's it gone?

To say Marsabit was 'a bit' of a struggle to get to, would be akin to saying that Cristiano Ronaldo is 'a bit' full of himself. It was brutal. But we were to be rewarded. As Ed has said, the meeting with Fatuma and the HODI project was inspirational. It also heralded a game of football. It was also to be our honour to eschew our usual Bicester pub or roofing sponsored kit and wear the colours of the Marsabit United team sponsored by the HODI initiative itself.
Sidenote here - Safe to say that there aren't too many 'bigger boned' players (I toyed with 'plus sized model') in the Northern Kenyan football communities. As the Large size kit was passed over me I could feel the sense of dread wash over me. An African Large is about the same as a UK medium, something I seem to remember bypassing in my teens. Any pictures of myself in the kit do confirm the 'look' I was 'rocking' was somewhere between Aussie rules football and a nightmare I once had. At least on this occasion I had shorts on.

To the game, and just getting started became a massive event in which it became clear the struggles Fatuma must face on a regular basis. 'Chat' chewing local youth refusing to leave the communal pitch, another youth initiative demanding to play us and what seemed like hundreds of kids everywhere. It was a testimony to her diplomacy skills that the game kicked off at all.
FootballAfrica had it's usual supects turning out. An 11 a side game saw us take our place alongside some Marsabit regulars. Neil Evans continued his run in the team. It also marked the debut appearance for FootballAfrica's Charlotte Kennedy. Charlotte joined myself and Neil in the back 4 with one of Marsabits regulars at left back. A European flavour (or Flava for those Craig David fans out there) in defence, hoping some steel at the back would ably support the African flair for attack. Ed Barnard continued his midfield role and Andy remained in his favoured forward role.
The team we played, Samba FC, were determined from the off. Strong runners from all over the park. Ed was having a good game in midfield however and was beginning to put himself about a bit. In fact it was Ed whose ball over the top put Andy in the clear for an emphatic finish. 1-0 to the FA/Marsabit Select.
Unfortunately Samba FC equalised relatively quickly. Too many runners flooded the midfield and left us exposed at the back.1-1.Thereafter though, the ship was steadied. Neil Evans, playing in an unfamiliar Centre Half role was a revelation throughout the match. Marshalling the defence, imperious in the air. Whilst we weren't creating lots up front, we were solid at the back. As Charlotte crunched into a tackle that would've made Graeme Souness wince, I was quickly realising that I was the 5th best FA player. And the only one wearing a crop top.
Half time came and went and we could be pretty satisfied with our efforts. At this point some of the Marsabit players were rotated. Whilst Neil and I were remonstrating to the sidelines that we had no right back, a woeful kick off lest us in the soup.2-1. We finally alerted them to our 10 man plight and an 11th joined us. Our newish team wasn't quite gelling as well as the first half and we'd lost our influential no 11 in the substituions. However the FA spirit is ever say die-ish and we began to press.
A phenomenal strike by Andy, a volley dropping out the sky, was saved by a keeper so far out of position he was in the right place to save it, and it looked like defeat was on the cards. However an attack from the left and a cross driven in at the keeper. 'Driven' is a bit generous really. It was going backwards. However Dr Handcuffs in goal fluffed it. 2-2. One of the Marsabit boys budled it in and we got the draw we'd thoroughly deserved.
The HODI project is wonderful thing and we were all delighted to wear the shirt, despite my fashion issues. This trip continues to be a revelation. With every step we seem to find an inspirational character, amazing cause, and people with a tremendous resolve to change the circumstances they find themselves in. Even in the face of stubborn and unnecessary resistance. We hope they continue to fight and overcome.