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What a difference a day makes: a beautifully sunny morning tempted me out early and I arrived in town at 11.10 for the 14.00 kick-off of

Saturday 28th September 2019
Oberliga Baden-Württemberg
FV Ravensburg   2   v   0   SSV Reutlingen
Christian Schiller (Stuttgart, ex Duisburg); Vincent Schöller, Markus Schmidt.

Some ten months ago I mentioned the small ecclesiastical town of Eichstätt as a pleasant place to stop for a coffee and a stroll: in a different way the bustling heart of Ravensburg (of jigsaw puzzle fame) is recommended for a visit and the time passed agreeably.

It was down to the second level of non-Bundesliga competitions. Herr Schipper  proved to be a strapping young man, with slightly dopey features. His running was effective rather than a thing of beauty - all pumping elbows and thrutching shoulders. There was a brief hold-up after 5 minutes, there being no spare ball to hand. On 20 minutes a decision was changed from free-kick to corner (correctly) after protests from Reutlingen. The visitors had been looking the livelier side, though neither keeper had been exercised unduly. Midway through the half, however, Ravensburg put in a warmish shot, the keeper went down but merely parried the ball for a Ravensburg attacker to put his side in front. Reutlingen came close just a minute later, but twice a home toe got a touch to avert the danger.

The game continued on its soporific way until the 55th minute, when an appeal for a handball penalty for the visitors was turned down - it looked more giveable than some, but there were few complaints. Ravensburg raced down the other end, hit the far post with a shot, retrieved the ball and doubled their lead. There were four yellows, two per side, but little further excitement. For Herr Schipper a routine performance at the expected level which met with general satisfaction.

A different route back was chosen, the low sun bathing the countryside in a most appealing glow. Today has dawned with bright sunshine so things are looking good - with a kick-off at 13.00.