The Fixture

Sadness played alongside guilt, as anger left the field.
Responsibility stepped up and proved an able shield.
Tears ran down the left and right and really should have scored,
defence was run quite ragged, before order was restored.

Sentiment proved troublesome, impossible too quell
and made this brief encounter, seem a kind of living hell.
Both sides struggled through a match, that neither one could win
but both agreed, when scars had healed, that they would meet again.

The tactics will be different, there's such a lot at stake
the future of both teams, depend on making no mistake.
There may be disappointment, or at least a compromise
but ultimately, mutual respect will be the prize.