Sunday 25 April 2010
MATCH REPORT : RED v South Morningside Elite 24th April
Match report version 1, provided by Phil...
With the Dear Leader absent enjoying some rest and hospitality at Cardenden Manor, the sumptuous Raith Rovers facility nestled in rolling bings by the A92, it was left to Comrade Robert and the Reds Committee to rally the troops. But as Neil lounged in his hot tub, the tiny bubbles of his morning champagne just audible above the passing HGVs, surely his thoughts must have strayed to Meggetland...would the Reds be playing champagne soccer, or would they be hoofing about some flat Irn-Bru? The answer bobbled about somewhere in the middle.
The first half opened promisingly enough for the Reds. The 3-2-1 line-up, with Danny starting in goals, was intended to counter the threat of a top South Morningside team, and early on it worked well enough. Danny's presence reassured the defenders, and after snuffing out a couple of attacks from SM, he released a quick ball for Kjartan, who played a tantalising near-breakaway pass for Ali. Surely it would have been 1-0, but then a great piece of skill from SM's Archie, fast becoming the Terror of the Midfield, reminded all it could so easily have been the other way round. When Upfront-on-his-own-Ali hit the side net the crowd sensed something was on its way. Would Neil arrive in a stretch limo and bath robe to issue tactical instructions? No! Ali banged one in after great pressure to put the Reds ahead. 1-0 RED.
As any Reds fan knows, this is not the usual script. How can you have a valiant fightback if you're already 1-0 up? While the Reds were pondering this, SM were beginning to play. Sasha, tackling well and putting himself about, was barged off the ball. Kjartan reacted superbly by pinging one just wide -- 2-0 would have been nice -- but some distracted and half-hearted midfield play gifted SM an equaliser. Boo! 1-1.
That fired up Ollie and Jack, who with SM now pressing deeper, both made goal-saving tackles. Hector's trademark determination saw him dispossess SM at key moments, but it was looking ominous. Sure enough on 19 mins, another gifted goal put SM ahead 2-1. They then hit the post and the whistle blew for half-time. 1-2 SM.
Would the fightback materialise in the second half? Hopes were high, with powerhouse Danny out of goals and replaced by Eyvindur, The Legendary Boy Goalie From the Land of Fire and Ice.
New signing Aiden added to the mix, making key tackles in midfield, but from the off the Reds were being outplayed by the Terror of the Midfield and occasionally by A Very Large SM Boy Indeed. AVLSMBI, coming from defence, was finding acres of space to glide through, like lava from an imaginary volcano that closes down international airspace. Many Reds simply stood and watched AVLSMBI, managing only to mutter Eyjafjallajokull! (Wikipedia: citation needed). A popular Icelandic idiom roughly translated as 'Hey ya fat yokel!' Akin to 'well, I never!' or 'Blow me down with a feather!' in English, it is a jocular expression of mild wonder tinged with a hint of slight annoyance -- what a city-dweller having a quiet country picnic might say to a simple sheep farmer whose flock trample over his rug.
But there was one Red who kept his eye on impending danger throughout: Eyvindur, The Legendary Boy Goalie From the Land of Fire and Ice. Some absolutely outstanding saves kept the score down and drew gasps from the crowd, as Reds struggled to find formation or a way through. Such was Eyvindur's performance that an enquiry was made after the game by a scout for Tynecastle boys club.
SM were going for it though, in more ways than one. Ollie was studded high up by The Terror, AVLSMBI was brushing off challenges, and SM were passing it about more confidently. They were always going to score again and they did, three times. 1-5 SM.
A consolation from Danny made the 5-2 loss a bit more respectable. 2-5 SM.
But...but...the goals Reds gave away were mostly free gifts. You know, like "Weekend for Two at Cardenden Manor". Definitely worth keeping and NOT giving away.
Match report v2, provided by Robert...
South Morningside Elite 5 - Sciennes Reds 2
A tough game was in the making with the Reds taking on the cream of South Morningside. To try and contain the expected onslaught the Reds lined up in an unorthodox 3-2-1 formation which initially worked quite well.
To start with, Danny in goals was having a quiet game with the back 3 doing a sterling job of stopping the SM attacks. In fact it was the reds who got first blood when a long ball was played up to Ally who skilfully tucked it away.
Unfortunately that only made SM angry, a bit reminiscent of Brazil after the David Narey toe-poke back in '82. More waves of SM attacks were repelled with Hector chasing down everything that came near him and Olly and Jack containing the flanks.
Eventually the Reds backline was breached but it was a goal that should have been avoided with a ball harmlessly going out was played across the goal. Aiden then came on to make his Reds debut and did well in midfield making some great passes and putting in his fair share of defensive effort. The Reds continued to play well with Ally again coming close after some good work from Kjarten. SM soon made it 2-1 after some clever play left their striker one on one with Danny and he was well beaten by a good strike.
The Reds reorganised themselves with Hector now playing the lone striker. With the Reds pushing forward to get back on level terms they were left a bit exposed at the back and it became 3-1.
Half-time
The second half began with Danny now up front in a more conventional 2-3-1 formation with Sasha being given the role of the utility player and Eyvindur now in goals. The game was still very competitive with chances at both ends.
Danny shot wide and Eyvindur made some very impressive saves but it was another unlucky goal which effectively ended the contest. Eyvindur made a fine save with his feet but the ball broke and SM had an easy tap in. To their credit the Reds didn't put their heads down and continued to play well and were rewarded when Danny slotted home a ball which broke to him after some sustained SM pressure. Unfortunately SM quickly restored their three goal advantage with a well worked goal.
Full-time
Overall it was a fine performance by Sciennes who were probably up against the strongest team in the league. If they can learn to play the ball out from defence the Reds will soon win these games in the future.
With the Dear Leader absent enjoying some rest and hospitality at Cardenden Manor, the sumptuous Raith Rovers facility nestled in rolling bings by the A92, it was left to Comrade Robert and the Reds Committee to rally the troops. But as Neil lounged in his hot tub, the tiny bubbles of his morning champagne just audible above the passing HGVs, surely his thoughts must have strayed to Meggetland...would the Reds be playing champagne soccer, or would they be hoofing about some flat Irn-Bru? The answer bobbled about somewhere in the middle.
The first half opened promisingly enough for the Reds. The 3-2-1 line-up, with Danny starting in goals, was intended to counter the threat of a top South Morningside team, and early on it worked well enough. Danny's presence reassured the defenders, and after snuffing out a couple of attacks from SM, he released a quick ball for Kjartan, who played a tantalising near-breakaway pass for Ali. Surely it would have been 1-0, but then a great piece of skill from SM's Archie, fast becoming the Terror of the Midfield, reminded all it could so easily have been the other way round. When Upfront-on-his-own-Ali hit the side net the crowd sensed something was on its way. Would Neil arrive in a stretch limo and bath robe to issue tactical instructions? No! Ali banged one in after great pressure to put the Reds ahead. 1-0 RED.
As any Reds fan knows, this is not the usual script. How can you have a valiant fightback if you're already 1-0 up? While the Reds were pondering this, SM were beginning to play. Sasha, tackling well and putting himself about, was barged off the ball. Kjartan reacted superbly by pinging one just wide -- 2-0 would have been nice -- but some distracted and half-hearted midfield play gifted SM an equaliser. Boo! 1-1.
That fired up Ollie and Jack, who with SM now pressing deeper, both made goal-saving tackles. Hector's trademark determination saw him dispossess SM at key moments, but it was looking ominous. Sure enough on 19 mins, another gifted goal put SM ahead 2-1. They then hit the post and the whistle blew for half-time. 1-2 SM.
Would the fightback materialise in the second half? Hopes were high, with powerhouse Danny out of goals and replaced by Eyvindur, The Legendary Boy Goalie From the Land of Fire and Ice.
New signing Aiden added to the mix, making key tackles in midfield, but from the off the Reds were being outplayed by the Terror of the Midfield and occasionally by A Very Large SM Boy Indeed. AVLSMBI, coming from defence, was finding acres of space to glide through, like lava from an imaginary volcano that closes down international airspace. Many Reds simply stood and watched AVLSMBI, managing only to mutter Eyjafjallajokull! (Wikipedia: citation needed). A popular Icelandic idiom roughly translated as 'Hey ya fat yokel!' Akin to 'well, I never!' or 'Blow me down with a feather!' in English, it is a jocular expression of mild wonder tinged with a hint of slight annoyance -- what a city-dweller having a quiet country picnic might say to a simple sheep farmer whose flock trample over his rug.
But there was one Red who kept his eye on impending danger throughout: Eyvindur, The Legendary Boy Goalie From the Land of Fire and Ice. Some absolutely outstanding saves kept the score down and drew gasps from the crowd, as Reds struggled to find formation or a way through. Such was Eyvindur's performance that an enquiry was made after the game by a scout for Tynecastle boys club.
SM were going for it though, in more ways than one. Ollie was studded high up by The Terror, AVLSMBI was brushing off challenges, and SM were passing it about more confidently. They were always going to score again and they did, three times. 1-5 SM.
A consolation from Danny made the 5-2 loss a bit more respectable. 2-5 SM.
But...but...the goals Reds gave away were mostly free gifts. You know, like "Weekend for Two at Cardenden Manor". Definitely worth keeping and NOT giving away.
Match report v2, provided by Robert...
South Morningside Elite 5 - Sciennes Reds 2
A tough game was in the making with the Reds taking on the cream of South Morningside. To try and contain the expected onslaught the Reds lined up in an unorthodox 3-2-1 formation which initially worked quite well.
To start with, Danny in goals was having a quiet game with the back 3 doing a sterling job of stopping the SM attacks. In fact it was the reds who got first blood when a long ball was played up to Ally who skilfully tucked it away.
Unfortunately that only made SM angry, a bit reminiscent of Brazil after the David Narey toe-poke back in '82. More waves of SM attacks were repelled with Hector chasing down everything that came near him and Olly and Jack containing the flanks.
Eventually the Reds backline was breached but it was a goal that should have been avoided with a ball harmlessly going out was played across the goal. Aiden then came on to make his Reds debut and did well in midfield making some great passes and putting in his fair share of defensive effort. The Reds continued to play well with Ally again coming close after some good work from Kjarten. SM soon made it 2-1 after some clever play left their striker one on one with Danny and he was well beaten by a good strike.
The Reds reorganised themselves with Hector now playing the lone striker. With the Reds pushing forward to get back on level terms they were left a bit exposed at the back and it became 3-1.
Half-time
The second half began with Danny now up front in a more conventional 2-3-1 formation with Sasha being given the role of the utility player and Eyvindur now in goals. The game was still very competitive with chances at both ends.
Danny shot wide and Eyvindur made some very impressive saves but it was another unlucky goal which effectively ended the contest. Eyvindur made a fine save with his feet but the ball broke and SM had an easy tap in. To their credit the Reds didn't put their heads down and continued to play well and were rewarded when Danny slotted home a ball which broke to him after some sustained SM pressure. Unfortunately SM quickly restored their three goal advantage with a well worked goal.
Full-time
Overall it was a fine performance by Sciennes who were probably up against the strongest team in the league. If they can learn to play the ball out from defence the Reds will soon win these games in the future.
Friday 23 April 2010
FIXTURES : Saturday 24th April
Apologies to the avid viewers of redandbluestrips who have been waiting patiently for news. Fixtures kick off tomorrow 24th April.
RED away to South Morningside Elite
BLUE at home to St Peters Elite
Training at home for everyone else not involved with the RED and BLUE teams this weekend.
Everything starts at 9:30am, enjoy the weekend, Neil will be away so it should be quiet!
RED away to South Morningside Elite
BLUE at home to St Peters Elite
Training at home for everyone else not involved with the RED and BLUE teams this weekend.
Everything starts at 9:30am, enjoy the weekend, Neil will be away so it should be quiet!
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