It’s my last full day here in Malta with Farnley Academy before we fly home in the morning and it’s time to spend some time with the boys as they prepare to take on Football Frenzy. I’ve been told the football ground they’ll be playing at in Pembroke is worth a visit for the scenery alone, as it is situated right on the seafront – being a photographer, these are the kinds of things I like to hear. On top of this, the match is scheduled to kick off at 6pm so the sun will be setting during the game and I’m hoping this will give me the perfect light to capture some good photos.
This morning we have a light training session back a Sirens FC, which is just 15 minutes walk from the hotel. The sun is blazing hot though, so we only do about an hour before heading back to the hotel for a dip in the pool. After lunch there’s just enough time for a spot of tenpin bowling to raise some competitive spirit before the bus departs for Pembroke.
Upon arrival, the bus parks at the top of a hill with a path leading down to an immaculate looking 3G pitch and the coast just beyond it. I take a moments to get a few photos from the top, before following on behind the football team who have wasted no time in getting onto the pitch and started a “crossbar challenge”.
Football Frenzy arrive around 20 minutes later and their captain kindly presents Farnley with a plaque to commemorate the event. The match gets underway and there’s no love lost between these two side, the game is end-to-end with no shortage of drama. The sea breeze makes the conditions perfect for a fast flowing game of football and, as hoped, the evening light is perfect for some good photos. Farnley Academy, in the end, have a bit to much for Football Frenzy to deal with and come out victorious, the perfect end to a great tour and we all go home happy with our evening’s work.
