It was freezing. We won lots of games and lost hardly any.
Well done to the Red team who were brilliant, especially when walloping old foes South Morningside 3-1 into a gale in the final match.
Well done to the Blue team who played well despite being given a huge (and I mean huge) pitch to play most of their games. The size of the pitch meant it was almost impossible to string 2 passes together!
Sunday, 5 June 2011
MATCH REPORT : Yellow at Clermiston Festival, 4th June 2011
Clermiston Festival of Fun and Football 04/06/11.
There was a biting cold wind and lots of brooding dark cloud, so no case for a winter break and summer football here as we shivered in Scotland’s” glorious” summer weather. Even the Icelandic contingent were looking like they weren’t used to this sort of weather.
Anyway three fun games of 20 minutes each and a penalty competition to keep us warm.
First up a game against a much improved Clermiston side. The yellows started with Freddie in goal, Valdi, Joe and Connor in defence (illness having robbed us of star defender Joseph B), and Owen Ahmed and Feodor leading the way to the opposing goal. Dawood and Aidan stated on the bench.
Clermiston were quickly into their strife and some neat passing moves led to their forward being left in space in front of goal on several occasions, Freddie made some outstanding saves but sadly we were soon two goals down. However the boys managed to regroup and soon were exerting concerted pressure on the Clermiston goal with fine efforts from Owen, Dawood and Feodor but the Clermiston goalie was performing stunningly well, pressure eventually told when the ball broke to Dawood who was able to turn his marker before nutmegging the keeper. Sadly it proved to be too little too late and Clermiston hung on to won 2-1.
Next up were Buckstone. Freddie stayed in goals, in defence were Aidan, Dawood and Feodor, and up front Owen, Connor and Valdi, with Ahmed and Joe held in reserve. Stung by their shock defeat to Clermiston the yellows started the game on fire, playing with pace and skill. Owen went close a couple of times before he finally bagged the e opener which his and the teams play deserved. Yellow continued to set the pace and Dawood added a second which could be a contender for goal of the season. He picked the ball up a good distance out before striking a curling shot into the top left hand corner. Buckstone hit back but were met with Freddie in almost unbeatable form. You’ll have noticed the “almost”. Buckstone did get a goal back but Sciennes continued to dominate and were unlucky not to add to their tally, particularly after a flowing one touch passing move through the middle put Owen in. If you had squinted you might have thought it was Barcelona for a second. Sciennes ran out 2-1 winners.
Next up was the penalty shoot out competition were Aidan and Owen performed really well with Aidan getting down to the final two against a female Hillwood player. Now I am not generally one to complain where children were involved but Hillwood were clearly a mixed age team with some older players, (shades of that Scotland Saudi Arabia youth world cup final) and this young woman had a shot like Roberto Carlos, but off a two step run up. At one point the power of a shot seemed to carry the goal keeper into the net.
Anyway final game against Hillwood who had scored five in each of their first two games and only conceded one goal (even the ones that weren’t very big turned out to be very skilful). The yellows started well and took a quick lead as Dawood got his third goal in as many games, Holding off one of their smaller defenders as be burst through to drive the ball home. Despite their best efforts, some valiant last ditch defending from just about everybody, and goal keeping heroics from Joe R the yellows could not hold on. Their forays up field became increasingly rare and eventually Hillwood’s pressure told and they ran out three one winners. Despite this last defeat everyone seemed happy and to have enjoyed the day, though if it happens again next year they might want to think about handing out thermal vests!
There was a biting cold wind and lots of brooding dark cloud, so no case for a winter break and summer football here as we shivered in Scotland’s” glorious” summer weather. Even the Icelandic contingent were looking like they weren’t used to this sort of weather.
Anyway three fun games of 20 minutes each and a penalty competition to keep us warm.
First up a game against a much improved Clermiston side. The yellows started with Freddie in goal, Valdi, Joe and Connor in defence (illness having robbed us of star defender Joseph B), and Owen Ahmed and Feodor leading the way to the opposing goal. Dawood and Aidan stated on the bench.
Clermiston were quickly into their strife and some neat passing moves led to their forward being left in space in front of goal on several occasions, Freddie made some outstanding saves but sadly we were soon two goals down. However the boys managed to regroup and soon were exerting concerted pressure on the Clermiston goal with fine efforts from Owen, Dawood and Feodor but the Clermiston goalie was performing stunningly well, pressure eventually told when the ball broke to Dawood who was able to turn his marker before nutmegging the keeper. Sadly it proved to be too little too late and Clermiston hung on to won 2-1.
Next up were Buckstone. Freddie stayed in goals, in defence were Aidan, Dawood and Feodor, and up front Owen, Connor and Valdi, with Ahmed and Joe held in reserve. Stung by their shock defeat to Clermiston the yellows started the game on fire, playing with pace and skill. Owen went close a couple of times before he finally bagged the e opener which his and the teams play deserved. Yellow continued to set the pace and Dawood added a second which could be a contender for goal of the season. He picked the ball up a good distance out before striking a curling shot into the top left hand corner. Buckstone hit back but were met with Freddie in almost unbeatable form. You’ll have noticed the “almost”. Buckstone did get a goal back but Sciennes continued to dominate and were unlucky not to add to their tally, particularly after a flowing one touch passing move through the middle put Owen in. If you had squinted you might have thought it was Barcelona for a second. Sciennes ran out 2-1 winners.
Next up was the penalty shoot out competition were Aidan and Owen performed really well with Aidan getting down to the final two against a female Hillwood player. Now I am not generally one to complain where children were involved but Hillwood were clearly a mixed age team with some older players, (shades of that Scotland Saudi Arabia youth world cup final) and this young woman had a shot like Roberto Carlos, but off a two step run up. At one point the power of a shot seemed to carry the goal keeper into the net.
Anyway final game against Hillwood who had scored five in each of their first two games and only conceded one goal (even the ones that weren’t very big turned out to be very skilful). The yellows started well and took a quick lead as Dawood got his third goal in as many games, Holding off one of their smaller defenders as be burst through to drive the ball home. Despite their best efforts, some valiant last ditch defending from just about everybody, and goal keeping heroics from Joe R the yellows could not hold on. Their forays up field became increasingly rare and eventually Hillwood’s pressure told and they ran out three one winners. Despite this last defeat everyone seemed happy and to have enjoyed the day, though if it happens again next year they might want to think about handing out thermal vests!
Sunday, 29 May 2011
MATCH REPORT : YELLOW at home to South Morningside, 28th May 2011
Sciennes Yellows 0- 3 South Morningside .
Back in the Meadows and facing the daunting task of playing South Morningside, who had given us a bit of a doing the last time we met.
The special one set the yellows out with a solid looking formation of Feodor in Goal, Valdi Aidan and Joseph in defence, Dawood Joe and Freddie in midfield and Owen and Matthew spearheading the attack. Connor and Ahmed were on the bench
The yellows started brightly but were soon forced back into some desperate defending and sadly Morningside broke through early after struggling to get the ball clear. One nil to the visitors, however the yellows did not fade and dug in and continued to hold firm despite continued pressure from Morningside. There were fine saves from Feodor and a goal line clearance from Dawood. Pressure continued to build and Morningside were awarded a penalty after a rush of n blood to the head by Aidan resulted in a penalty for hand ball. Feodor kept his nerve magnificently to stand up to a shot drilled down the middle and produced a fine save. The yellows were now starting to get a toe hold in the game and there were shots from Freddie and Connor. However just before half time Morningside broke up field in a flowing move that finished with an unstoppable shot being fired into the top left corner.
In the second half Freddie took over in goals, and the defence started with Valdi, Aidan and Joseph looking solid, Matthew Joe R and Connor were in midfield, and Owen was paired up front with Feodor. Ahmed and Dawood both came on to contribute good solid performances in midfield and the whole team worked hard for each other. The yellows had more of the play in the second half and created further chances though the visitors continued to carry more threat in front of goal. The second half seemed to be drifting to a conclusion when Morningside produced a third goal from nowhere in the closing seconds, sadly taking the shine of what had been a much better second half performance.
Back in the Meadows and facing the daunting task of playing South Morningside, who had given us a bit of a doing the last time we met.
The special one set the yellows out with a solid looking formation of Feodor in Goal, Valdi Aidan and Joseph in defence, Dawood Joe and Freddie in midfield and Owen and Matthew spearheading the attack. Connor and Ahmed were on the bench
The yellows started brightly but were soon forced back into some desperate defending and sadly Morningside broke through early after struggling to get the ball clear. One nil to the visitors, however the yellows did not fade and dug in and continued to hold firm despite continued pressure from Morningside. There were fine saves from Feodor and a goal line clearance from Dawood. Pressure continued to build and Morningside were awarded a penalty after a rush of n blood to the head by Aidan resulted in a penalty for hand ball. Feodor kept his nerve magnificently to stand up to a shot drilled down the middle and produced a fine save. The yellows were now starting to get a toe hold in the game and there were shots from Freddie and Connor. However just before half time Morningside broke up field in a flowing move that finished with an unstoppable shot being fired into the top left corner.
In the second half Freddie took over in goals, and the defence started with Valdi, Aidan and Joseph looking solid, Matthew Joe R and Connor were in midfield, and Owen was paired up front with Feodor. Ahmed and Dawood both came on to contribute good solid performances in midfield and the whole team worked hard for each other. The yellows had more of the play in the second half and created further chances though the visitors continued to carry more threat in front of goal. The second half seemed to be drifting to a conclusion when Morningside produced a third goal from nowhere in the closing seconds, sadly taking the shine of what had been a much better second half performance.
MATCH REPORT : BLUE away to Bonaly, 28th May 2011
Sciennes Blue V Bonaly Bombers 28/05/2011, Senior Match Reporter Richard brings us the latest...
After a string of good results ( 6-2 against Liberton, 9-3 against Tollcross and most recently 5-1 against South Morningside.....apologies for the lack of match reports) the Blues were in confident mood as they made their way to Paties Road to take on Bonaly Bombers. Confidence was only slightly dented by the fact that we were reduced to only seven players. Last season this fixture saw the Blues on the wrong end of a doing but the coaches were hopeful that the good recent form would continue.
Both side warmed up in slightly breezy conditions. Slight concern as we realized we were going to be playing on half of a full size pitch which was wasn't necessarily going to be to our advantage given that we had no subs. Further concern as Coach Favours recognized one of the Bonaly boys from the Hibs set-up. Game kicked off with Coll in goal, Murdo and Joe at the back, Hamish, Alex and Sam in midfield and Jude up front.
Bonaly started confidently and Blues were immediately under pressure. After a good move it looked like Bonaly were certain to score but Coll pulled off a great stop with his feet low to his left. An early let off! Bonaly were moving the ball about well and clearly had some talented players.
However, against the run of play Blues broke upfield. Jude found himself one-on-one with the goalie and buried his shot in the left hand corner to give the Blues a 0-1 lead.
Bonaly swarmed back up the field from kick-off looking for the equaliser. Coll clawed one shot round the post for a corner and then moments later was well beaten by a shot which rebounded of the post, hit him in the stomach as he turned and went just wide for the corner.
It was end to end stuff though with Blues looking dangerous on the break. Hamish was unlucky not to score with an imaginative back heel from an Alex cross which flew just wide. Jude and Sam both had good shots well saved. Then Alex had the easiest of finishes after a great move involving Hamish and Jude had pulled the Bonaly defence apart leaving Alex a tap-in from a yard. 0-2 to the Blues. Bonaly were still looking threatening but Murdo, Joe and Sam were defending brilliantly to deny them many clear cut chances. Just before half-time it could have been 3-0 when Alex looked certain to score but his shot from close range trickled wide of the post.
H.T. 0-2 BLUE
A great first half for the Blues but a feeling that we were perhaps a little fortunate to be two goals up against this team. No place for complacency as we were shooting into the wind in the 2nd half. Sam swapped with Coll in goals.
Worst fears were confirmed when right from kick off Bonaly's star ran through the Blues defence and fired a great shot past Sam who had no chance. 1-2.
Blues didn't panic though and continued to play some really good football working the the ball through the full-backs who were linking well left and right with mid-field. On one such occasion Coll at right back drew the Bonaly forward before playing a nice one-two with Hamish and then released Jude. Jude ran on to the through ball and unleashed an absolute belter which just clipped the inside of the post as it flew into the top-left hand corner. Great goal!. 1-3.
The sky then darkened and the rain came down causing the reporter to stop taking notes as his ink was running. On resumption Bonaly had pulled the score back to 2-3 with a slightly fortunate effort that had squirmed under Sam's body aided by the greasy conditions.
Could have gone either way at this point as Blues were having to deal with a lot of pressure. But the whole team worked their socks off and defended brilliantly from the forwards to the backs and limited Bonaly's goal scoring opportunities. Jude then completed his hat-trick to make the score 2-4. Bonaly manged to score one more goal after a rare blues error but the result was put beyond doubt when Hamish netted for his second of the morning. Final Score 3-5 BLUE.
What a really great performance! Probably the strongest team we've played this season I think and a team that we were beaten by last year. Everyone without exception has come on massively this year and this has made the team difficult to beat. What was really good to see was that even when we lost a goal there was no panic or finger-pointing and everybody just carried on. (Bit like Barca against Man U). Throughout this game and almost all of the others this season the team passed really well and played some great football.
Well done all and good luck next week at the Wardie Festival!
After a string of good results ( 6-2 against Liberton, 9-3 against Tollcross and most recently 5-1 against South Morningside.....apologies for the lack of match reports) the Blues were in confident mood as they made their way to Paties Road to take on Bonaly Bombers. Confidence was only slightly dented by the fact that we were reduced to only seven players. Last season this fixture saw the Blues on the wrong end of a doing but the coaches were hopeful that the good recent form would continue.
Both side warmed up in slightly breezy conditions. Slight concern as we realized we were going to be playing on half of a full size pitch which was wasn't necessarily going to be to our advantage given that we had no subs. Further concern as Coach Favours recognized one of the Bonaly boys from the Hibs set-up. Game kicked off with Coll in goal, Murdo and Joe at the back, Hamish, Alex and Sam in midfield and Jude up front.
Bonaly started confidently and Blues were immediately under pressure. After a good move it looked like Bonaly were certain to score but Coll pulled off a great stop with his feet low to his left. An early let off! Bonaly were moving the ball about well and clearly had some talented players.
However, against the run of play Blues broke upfield. Jude found himself one-on-one with the goalie and buried his shot in the left hand corner to give the Blues a 0-1 lead.
Bonaly swarmed back up the field from kick-off looking for the equaliser. Coll clawed one shot round the post for a corner and then moments later was well beaten by a shot which rebounded of the post, hit him in the stomach as he turned and went just wide for the corner.
It was end to end stuff though with Blues looking dangerous on the break. Hamish was unlucky not to score with an imaginative back heel from an Alex cross which flew just wide. Jude and Sam both had good shots well saved. Then Alex had the easiest of finishes after a great move involving Hamish and Jude had pulled the Bonaly defence apart leaving Alex a tap-in from a yard. 0-2 to the Blues. Bonaly were still looking threatening but Murdo, Joe and Sam were defending brilliantly to deny them many clear cut chances. Just before half-time it could have been 3-0 when Alex looked certain to score but his shot from close range trickled wide of the post.
H.T. 0-2 BLUE
A great first half for the Blues but a feeling that we were perhaps a little fortunate to be two goals up against this team. No place for complacency as we were shooting into the wind in the 2nd half. Sam swapped with Coll in goals.
Worst fears were confirmed when right from kick off Bonaly's star ran through the Blues defence and fired a great shot past Sam who had no chance. 1-2.
Blues didn't panic though and continued to play some really good football working the the ball through the full-backs who were linking well left and right with mid-field. On one such occasion Coll at right back drew the Bonaly forward before playing a nice one-two with Hamish and then released Jude. Jude ran on to the through ball and unleashed an absolute belter which just clipped the inside of the post as it flew into the top-left hand corner. Great goal!. 1-3.
The sky then darkened and the rain came down causing the reporter to stop taking notes as his ink was running. On resumption Bonaly had pulled the score back to 2-3 with a slightly fortunate effort that had squirmed under Sam's body aided by the greasy conditions.
Could have gone either way at this point as Blues were having to deal with a lot of pressure. But the whole team worked their socks off and defended brilliantly from the forwards to the backs and limited Bonaly's goal scoring opportunities. Jude then completed his hat-trick to make the score 2-4. Bonaly manged to score one more goal after a rare blues error but the result was put beyond doubt when Hamish netted for his second of the morning. Final Score 3-5 BLUE.
What a really great performance! Probably the strongest team we've played this season I think and a team that we were beaten by last year. Everyone without exception has come on massively this year and this has made the team difficult to beat. What was really good to see was that even when we lost a goal there was no panic or finger-pointing and everybody just carried on. (Bit like Barca against Man U). Throughout this game and almost all of the others this season the team passed really well and played some great football.
Well done all and good luck next week at the Wardie Festival!
MATCH REPORT : RED at home to Bonaly, 28th May 2011
Neil was out of coaching action for a week. Thankfully Phil was taking notes and managed to pull together a match 'report' (of sorts). For what we are about to receive...
Yeah, uh-huh, you know what it is. Black-and-yellow, black-and-yellow.
Yeah, uh-huh, you know what it is. Black-and-yellow, black-and-yellow.
Yo, lissen up y'all, and lissen up good
'bout sumthin went down in the Sciennes neighbourhood
Bo-naly came callin all dressed in black-and-yellow
Them kids were neat them kids were cool them kids were kinda mellow
But, man, the Meadows? That's Reds Posse turf
We aint takin' nuthin from no black-and-yellow smurfs!
Everybody stretch to the left
everybody stretch to the right
we're gonna feel it
when our muscles ache tonight
We had net-dude Keir, and bro's, let's make it clear: they only scored once to beat net-dude Keir.
Cuz at the back there was Jack, ya hear what I'm saying?
When he came callin', those black-and-yellows, they sho' did start a-prayin.
His homey at the side was Ollie The Man. He got timing, he got style and a kinda big smile, and those de-fendas they ran and ran for miles and miles and miles.
Passin' to Kjartan, the cool Ice Man, releasing super-lethal strika Stru-u-an.
Man, that boy can play, he can twist an' turn and shimmy, and lay one off for Rocket Man - that's midfield dude Puff Danny. His boots were smokin', man, y'oughta all a been there.
In the air, in the air, the ball kept a-flyin, right to the back of the black-and-yellow net. But we aint there yet, said Felipe and Roberto,
we gotta keep a-runnin, gotta play the full concerto, gotta keep the beat, keep it neat, keep it on the ground, keep a-tunin' in to the Red Posse sound.
Gotta keep it calm, keep it cool, control our Tinie Tempah, gotta rememba to play it through to strika dude Eyvinda.
And I'm tellin' ya man, who needs a Vidic or a Becks, when ya got a tackling midfielder like A-a-lex.
So just to rap it up and let y'all know what those Reds done,
They been and gone and won the doggone game 5-1.
(Great match, played in a great spirit -- played safe with positions till we felt comfortable to change things, switching defence and midfield, and even giving a spell up front for Jack. Yielded goals for Jack, Struan(?) Eyvindur(?) Ollie and Danny, whose goal from pretty much the half-way line was a corker.)
Yeah, uh-huh, you know what it is. Black-and-yellow, black-and-yellow.
Yeah, uh-huh, you know what it is. Black-and-yellow, black-and-yellow.
Yo, lissen up y'all, and lissen up good
'bout sumthin went down in the Sciennes neighbourhood
Bo-naly came callin all dressed in black-and-yellow
Them kids were neat them kids were cool them kids were kinda mellow
But, man, the Meadows? That's Reds Posse turf
We aint takin' nuthin from no black-and-yellow smurfs!
Everybody stretch to the left
everybody stretch to the right
we're gonna feel it
when our muscles ache tonight
We had net-dude Keir, and bro's, let's make it clear: they only scored once to beat net-dude Keir.
Cuz at the back there was Jack, ya hear what I'm saying?
When he came callin', those black-and-yellows, they sho' did start a-prayin.
His homey at the side was Ollie The Man. He got timing, he got style and a kinda big smile, and those de-fendas they ran and ran for miles and miles and miles.
Passin' to Kjartan, the cool Ice Man, releasing super-lethal strika Stru-u-an.
Man, that boy can play, he can twist an' turn and shimmy, and lay one off for Rocket Man - that's midfield dude Puff Danny. His boots were smokin', man, y'oughta all a been there.
In the air, in the air, the ball kept a-flyin, right to the back of the black-and-yellow net. But we aint there yet, said Felipe and Roberto,
we gotta keep a-runnin, gotta play the full concerto, gotta keep the beat, keep it neat, keep it on the ground, keep a-tunin' in to the Red Posse sound.
Gotta keep it calm, keep it cool, control our Tinie Tempah, gotta rememba to play it through to strika dude Eyvinda.
And I'm tellin' ya man, who needs a Vidic or a Becks, when ya got a tackling midfielder like A-a-lex.
So just to rap it up and let y'all know what those Reds done,
They been and gone and won the doggone game 5-1.
(Great match, played in a great spirit -- played safe with positions till we felt comfortable to change things, switching defence and midfield, and even giving a spell up front for Jack. Yielded goals for Jack, Struan(?) Eyvindur(?) Ollie and Danny, whose goal from pretty much the half-way line was a corker.)
Sunday, 15 May 2011
MATCH REPORT : YELLOW at home to Buckstone 14th May 2011
Sciennes Yellows 0- 3 Buckstone, 14/05/11, Robin takes up the story...
The first home game for longer than I care to remember! All those cones, trying to find the right nets, building the goals, it all comes flooding back to me, all those things that I struggle with.
Anyway the yellows had a big squad and seemed up for the game. Starting with Feodor in goal, Valdi, Joe and Connor in defence, Aidan, Freddie, and Matthew in midfield and Owen leading the line. On the bench were Joseph B, Dawood, Matthew and Amir.
After an initially bright start the yellows came under a sustained spell of Buckstone pressure but seemed to be coping well with this. Unfortunately some poor refereeing (Yes, yes it was me! And yes I already wear glasses) awarded Buckstone a throw in thinking Valdi had played the ball (Sorry Valdi!) Amid the resulting consternation Buckstone took a quick throw in and broke forward to score. Feodor who was having a great game was left helpless. 0-1 Buckstone
Ron “the special one” was ringing the changes. The yellows pushed forward with Freddie shooting just wide. However Buckstone continued to have the bulk of the play and goal number two arrived just before half time at the end of a fine passing move from Buckstone. 0-2 at half time.
The start of the second half saw further tactical changes with Freddie taking over in goals, Connor, Joseph B and Dawood in defence, Ahmed Feodor and Matthew in Midfield and Amir leading the attack, with frequent changes from the bench. The yellows started much more brightly and managed a period of pressure. Early in the half Feodor had a fine drive that tested the Buckstone keeper from a narrow angle, and this was shortly followed by an effort from Aidan which must have stung the opposing keeper’s hands as he desperately parried the ball away. Buckstone came roaring back into the game but Freddie performed heroically between the posts. There were fine forward runs from Aidan, Matthew and Owen but to no avail. The frequent changes from the bench were causing some confusion amongst the management team, and sadly we entirely missed the Buckstone third goal (0-3 Buckstone) as we tried to work out who should be where on the pitch, and how many players we actually had on.
The yellows kept on plugging away gamely but alas could not get anything out of the game. Final score 0-3 to Buckstone, but if it had not been for the incompetent referring in the first half who knows what might have been?
The first home game for longer than I care to remember! All those cones, trying to find the right nets, building the goals, it all comes flooding back to me, all those things that I struggle with.
Anyway the yellows had a big squad and seemed up for the game. Starting with Feodor in goal, Valdi, Joe and Connor in defence, Aidan, Freddie, and Matthew in midfield and Owen leading the line. On the bench were Joseph B, Dawood, Matthew and Amir.
After an initially bright start the yellows came under a sustained spell of Buckstone pressure but seemed to be coping well with this. Unfortunately some poor refereeing (Yes, yes it was me! And yes I already wear glasses) awarded Buckstone a throw in thinking Valdi had played the ball (Sorry Valdi!) Amid the resulting consternation Buckstone took a quick throw in and broke forward to score. Feodor who was having a great game was left helpless. 0-1 Buckstone
Ron “the special one” was ringing the changes. The yellows pushed forward with Freddie shooting just wide. However Buckstone continued to have the bulk of the play and goal number two arrived just before half time at the end of a fine passing move from Buckstone. 0-2 at half time.
The start of the second half saw further tactical changes with Freddie taking over in goals, Connor, Joseph B and Dawood in defence, Ahmed Feodor and Matthew in Midfield and Amir leading the attack, with frequent changes from the bench. The yellows started much more brightly and managed a period of pressure. Early in the half Feodor had a fine drive that tested the Buckstone keeper from a narrow angle, and this was shortly followed by an effort from Aidan which must have stung the opposing keeper’s hands as he desperately parried the ball away. Buckstone came roaring back into the game but Freddie performed heroically between the posts. There were fine forward runs from Aidan, Matthew and Owen but to no avail. The frequent changes from the bench were causing some confusion amongst the management team, and sadly we entirely missed the Buckstone third goal (0-3 Buckstone) as we tried to work out who should be where on the pitch, and how many players we actually had on.
The yellows kept on plugging away gamely but alas could not get anything out of the game. Final score 0-3 to Buckstone, but if it had not been for the incompetent referring in the first half who knows what might have been?
MATCH REPORT : RED at home to South Morningside, 14th May 2011
Sciennes RED 3 - 3 South Morningside
After the thriller last week SM arrived at the Meadows with a modified team to take on the RED team. The usual squad assembled - Keir The Goalie, Ollie, Jack, Kjartan, Danny, Eyvindur, Struan, Hector and Alex A.
"Start well. Lots of passing. Encourage each other. I've got this complicated short corner drill I'd like to show you...". One or two of the squad drifted off to sleep as the team talk came to a close.
SM raced out of the blocks. Not that there were any blocks. It is just an expression people use. Doesn't make sense in football. Athletics yes but only for running races, short ones, upto 400m. Anyway - SM started well. An early break should have seen them take the lead but under pressure from Ollie the SM forward thrashed his shot straight at KTG (Keir The Goalie).
After a very quiet week last week Struan looked better. Some nice early dribbling took the ball up the pitch and forced a corner. "Ah-ha..." said the coach "...watch this...". Just then one or two RED players bumped into each other and Danny fired the corner over everyone and out for a throw. "...ho-hum...".
Another nice run from Struan took the ball into SM box, a great cut back and Kjartan, arriving at speed, was very unlucky to see his shot saved by the goalie. More RED pressure forced the SM goalie to look smart as a shot from Eyvindur was pushed round hte post for a corner.
"Think about it..." yelled the RED coach. Danny took the corner short to Hector. Hector dummied the pass back to Danny and instead rolled the ball across goal and Struan smashed the ball into the net. 1-0 RED.
Wow. Improvised short corner routines!
RED team had their tails up now. Great play in midfield from Kjartan released Danny, a fantasic cross to the back post was just missed by Alex as he flew in from left midfield. "We've seen that one before" mentioned the coach to no-one "...Hector has scored a couple like that...".
Move of the game coming up. Jack out to Struan, to Danny, to Struan, to Eyvindur, skips past a defender and crosses to the back post...where a flying Hector nudges the ball home. Wow. 2-0 RED.
Quick reshuffle of the team. Eyvindur goes up front, Alex on the left of midfield, Hector on the right, Danny in the middle. Ollie and Jack at the back are looking good. SM pressure but O&J are doing their thing. The pressure on the RED defence is growing though and SM are firing shots from distance. Keir is handling them well. A quick ball to Jack is fired out wide to Eyvindur who takes the bal in his stride and charges forward. Not much support so the coach yells "help him" as Eyvindur rounds the first defender, "help him midfield" as Eyvindur rounds the last defender. The charging midfield players slow to a trott as Eyvindur smashes the ball into the net! No help required. Great finish. 3-0 RED at HT.
"Same again please. Nil-nil. The wind is getting up so this is going to be hard. Now about these corner routines...". Team talk ends with the wind causing some concern to the RED coaching team.
SM do their quick start thing again. Lots of pressure, lots of saves but following a magnificent leap Keir is unlucky to see the rebound being poked into the net. 3-1 RED.
The game flows from end to end now. RED are soaking up trouble but Eyvindur and Struan are helping out, dropping deep then taking the ball up the pitch away from danger. SM have the wind and taking over in midfield. Their flying winger gets the ball and sets off at speed again. Skipping through a couple of tackles being being faced by O&J. One smack of the ball later and a helpless Keir is kicking the ball out of his net as a wind assisted beauty flies into the top corner. 3-2 RED.
Things are getting tense now. SM post is rattled by Struan. Keir makes a couple of wonderful saves. The wind is really getting up now. It looks like only a matter of time before the equaliser is fired home. A shot from SM is curling into the top corner when Keir, from flies to his right and tips the ball round the post. Coaches notes read "save of the century - Keir". It was truely magnificent. Celebrated like a goal by KTG!
Into the final minute now. Can RED hang on. Getting the ball away is proving more and more difficult. The RED team look exhausted by their efforts into the biting wind. 30 seconds to go. SM midfielder breaks a challenge. Shoots. Oh no. In off the post. Very, very, very unlucky. 3-3.
Ref blows his whistle. To the RED team it feels like a loss but they should be proud of their efforts, great passing, great keeping, great goals. A couple of unlucky goals against. All round a great display from the RED team!
After the thriller last week SM arrived at the Meadows with a modified team to take on the RED team. The usual squad assembled - Keir The Goalie, Ollie, Jack, Kjartan, Danny, Eyvindur, Struan, Hector and Alex A.
"Start well. Lots of passing. Encourage each other. I've got this complicated short corner drill I'd like to show you...". One or two of the squad drifted off to sleep as the team talk came to a close.
SM raced out of the blocks. Not that there were any blocks. It is just an expression people use. Doesn't make sense in football. Athletics yes but only for running races, short ones, upto 400m. Anyway - SM started well. An early break should have seen them take the lead but under pressure from Ollie the SM forward thrashed his shot straight at KTG (Keir The Goalie).
After a very quiet week last week Struan looked better. Some nice early dribbling took the ball up the pitch and forced a corner. "Ah-ha..." said the coach "...watch this...". Just then one or two RED players bumped into each other and Danny fired the corner over everyone and out for a throw. "...ho-hum...".
Another nice run from Struan took the ball into SM box, a great cut back and Kjartan, arriving at speed, was very unlucky to see his shot saved by the goalie. More RED pressure forced the SM goalie to look smart as a shot from Eyvindur was pushed round hte post for a corner.
"Think about it..." yelled the RED coach. Danny took the corner short to Hector. Hector dummied the pass back to Danny and instead rolled the ball across goal and Struan smashed the ball into the net. 1-0 RED.
Wow. Improvised short corner routines!
RED team had their tails up now. Great play in midfield from Kjartan released Danny, a fantasic cross to the back post was just missed by Alex as he flew in from left midfield. "We've seen that one before" mentioned the coach to no-one "...Hector has scored a couple like that...".
Move of the game coming up. Jack out to Struan, to Danny, to Struan, to Eyvindur, skips past a defender and crosses to the back post...where a flying Hector nudges the ball home. Wow. 2-0 RED.
Quick reshuffle of the team. Eyvindur goes up front, Alex on the left of midfield, Hector on the right, Danny in the middle. Ollie and Jack at the back are looking good. SM pressure but O&J are doing their thing. The pressure on the RED defence is growing though and SM are firing shots from distance. Keir is handling them well. A quick ball to Jack is fired out wide to Eyvindur who takes the bal in his stride and charges forward. Not much support so the coach yells "help him" as Eyvindur rounds the first defender, "help him midfield" as Eyvindur rounds the last defender. The charging midfield players slow to a trott as Eyvindur smashes the ball into the net! No help required. Great finish. 3-0 RED at HT.
"Same again please. Nil-nil. The wind is getting up so this is going to be hard. Now about these corner routines...". Team talk ends with the wind causing some concern to the RED coaching team.
SM do their quick start thing again. Lots of pressure, lots of saves but following a magnificent leap Keir is unlucky to see the rebound being poked into the net. 3-1 RED.
The game flows from end to end now. RED are soaking up trouble but Eyvindur and Struan are helping out, dropping deep then taking the ball up the pitch away from danger. SM have the wind and taking over in midfield. Their flying winger gets the ball and sets off at speed again. Skipping through a couple of tackles being being faced by O&J. One smack of the ball later and a helpless Keir is kicking the ball out of his net as a wind assisted beauty flies into the top corner. 3-2 RED.
Things are getting tense now. SM post is rattled by Struan. Keir makes a couple of wonderful saves. The wind is really getting up now. It looks like only a matter of time before the equaliser is fired home. A shot from SM is curling into the top corner when Keir, from flies to his right and tips the ball round the post. Coaches notes read "save of the century - Keir". It was truely magnificent. Celebrated like a goal by KTG!
Into the final minute now. Can RED hang on. Getting the ball away is proving more and more difficult. The RED team look exhausted by their efforts into the biting wind. 30 seconds to go. SM midfielder breaks a challenge. Shoots. Oh no. In off the post. Very, very, very unlucky. 3-3.
Ref blows his whistle. To the RED team it feels like a loss but they should be proud of their efforts, great passing, great keeping, great goals. A couple of unlucky goals against. All round a great display from the RED team!
Sunday, 8 May 2011
MATCH REPORT : YELLOW away to South Morningside, 7th May 2011
South Morningside 2-1 Sciennes yellows, at Meadowspot. 07/05/11 Robin takes up the story...
There were some nerves after the last disappointing meeting between the teams but here we were again back and looking for revenge, and with a larger squad.
South Morningside were experiencing some technical difficulties gaining access to the hut where the goals were kept. A bold decision was taken to play with jumpers as goal posts, at this point some of the older people present (well me and Ron) went quite misty and rheumy eyed remembering days long gone by. (It’s the short term memory that goes first you know). The sight of a SM coaching pacing out the goals precisely and then dropping his jumper was truly heart warming.
The team was set out with Feodor at his commanding best guarding the net, a solid looking back three of Valdi, Joe R and Joseph B, a bustling midfield of Ahmed, Aidan and Connor and Owen up front. With a very strong looking bench of Freddie, Dawood, Matthew and Amir.
The game kicked off with the yellows instantly the front foot and trying to get forward, and play was soon flowing from end to end. The special one was using his large squad to great effect and this paid dividends when Amir, who had come on up front, eluded his marker and found space to slot home from close in after a long through ball (0-1).
I have to confess that the description of the goal was second hand as your reporter had gone off to look for another pen for the “special one” who was struggling to keep track of his substitutions. The yellows settled and seemed to be coping well with some fantastic goal keeping from Feodor (mentioned in the Morningside half time team talk as they were in despair of beating him).
However Morningside were able to snatch an equaliser before the break when a defensive error played in a striker leaving Feodor with no chance. Half time one all.
The second half continued with an ebb and flow of attack and counter attack. Sciennes remained focussed despite the unlikely sight of a passer-by shoving a dog (a dirty hairy terrier looking thing) up the wing in a shopping trolley. You just don’t get that sort of thing at the Nou Camp. Ahmed had one of his best games to date working hard and passing well, Connor was his usual industrious and busy self. Joe R had another good game prompting from the heart of defence and Freddie must have covered every blade of grass. There were a couple of surging forward runs by Aidan and Owen but to no avail. Matthew and Dawood also performed well in midfield. Valdi and Joseph were committed and effective in defence.
However despite all this good work Morningside snatched the lead with a well work goal with the ball being driven low into where the corner of the net would roughly have been following on from a neat passing move.
The game seemed to be petering out when controversy erupted. Morningside claiming for a third goal, which the ref (from Morningside) correctly ruled had hit the post.
A good all round team performance but sadly not quite the result to match
There were some nerves after the last disappointing meeting between the teams but here we were again back and looking for revenge, and with a larger squad.
South Morningside were experiencing some technical difficulties gaining access to the hut where the goals were kept. A bold decision was taken to play with jumpers as goal posts, at this point some of the older people present (well me and Ron) went quite misty and rheumy eyed remembering days long gone by. (It’s the short term memory that goes first you know). The sight of a SM coaching pacing out the goals precisely and then dropping his jumper was truly heart warming.
The team was set out with Feodor at his commanding best guarding the net, a solid looking back three of Valdi, Joe R and Joseph B, a bustling midfield of Ahmed, Aidan and Connor and Owen up front. With a very strong looking bench of Freddie, Dawood, Matthew and Amir.
The game kicked off with the yellows instantly the front foot and trying to get forward, and play was soon flowing from end to end. The special one was using his large squad to great effect and this paid dividends when Amir, who had come on up front, eluded his marker and found space to slot home from close in after a long through ball (0-1).
I have to confess that the description of the goal was second hand as your reporter had gone off to look for another pen for the “special one” who was struggling to keep track of his substitutions. The yellows settled and seemed to be coping well with some fantastic goal keeping from Feodor (mentioned in the Morningside half time team talk as they were in despair of beating him).
However Morningside were able to snatch an equaliser before the break when a defensive error played in a striker leaving Feodor with no chance. Half time one all.
The second half continued with an ebb and flow of attack and counter attack. Sciennes remained focussed despite the unlikely sight of a passer-by shoving a dog (a dirty hairy terrier looking thing) up the wing in a shopping trolley. You just don’t get that sort of thing at the Nou Camp. Ahmed had one of his best games to date working hard and passing well, Connor was his usual industrious and busy self. Joe R had another good game prompting from the heart of defence and Freddie must have covered every blade of grass. There were a couple of surging forward runs by Aidan and Owen but to no avail. Matthew and Dawood also performed well in midfield. Valdi and Joseph were committed and effective in defence.
However despite all this good work Morningside snatched the lead with a well work goal with the ball being driven low into where the corner of the net would roughly have been following on from a neat passing move.
The game seemed to be petering out when controversy erupted. Morningside claiming for a third goal, which the ref (from Morningside) correctly ruled had hit the post.
A good all round team performance but sadly not quite the result to match
MATCH REPORT : RED away to South Morningside, 7th May 2011
South Morningside 3 - 4 Sciennes P5 RED
At long last the RED team won away from home against rivals and bogey team from SM. Lovely day, bit cold, blue sky, bit of a wind, bumper squad. Team lined up with Keir The Goalie, defensive pair of Ollie and Kjartan, Danny on the right, Jack in centre mid, Eyvindur on the left, Struan up front. Hector and Alex A ready to go from the bench.
Last minute instructions from the boss - keeper to defenders quickly. early pass from defence, midfield track back, strikers pass, work together, stay positive, and...a number of other things over his page of notes that he forgot to say! Among the things he forgot to mention was a reminder about the short corner routine.
Kick-off - RED race up the pitch, shot from Struan, saved for a corner. "Oh, I meant to tell them about corners..." muttered the coach to the away support "...we've been wasting them recently, but it was over the page in my notes...". Just then, Danny flings the corner into the box and Jack smashes it into the net. 0-1 RED.
Banter ensues within the away support. Coach folds up his notes and decides to leave them to it. Suddenly SM break following a period of pressure from RED team. Ollie and Kjartan are swamped and SM fire past a helpless Keir. 1-1.
Play rages from end to end now. Keir makes a couple of wonderful saves as SM storm back into the match. Ollie and Kjartan are brilliant at the back, fixing things, mopping up pressure and playing the ball out from the back. Midfield is tricky. Jack is forced back as SM pile into the middle, Danny and Eybindur make some great breaks but the SM defence hack the ball clear. Hector is as busy as ever helping in defence and midfield. Alex has an injury problem early on but battles on showing lots of willingness to tackle. Struan is quiet upfront with a couple of giants bullying him off the ball. This is going to be a tough match!
Slight reorganisation, Eyvindur as striker, Danny on right, Struan on left, Jack in centre. Nice exchange of passes from Eyvindur and Struan sets up Danny. A wonderful shot from distance flies into the top corner. 1-2 RED.
Lots of RED pressure now. Eyvindur goes close. Jack fired one just past the post. Hector has one blocked on the line. A third goal looks likely...oops. Another break away and the SM flier (he can run like the wind) surges past the defence and fires another one into the net. 2-2 at HT.
"Unlucky. Playing well. Looking good. We can do this". Team talk over the coach sinks his hands into pockets and finds his notes again. "Oh, forgot about the short corner routine again!", he offered to the away support.
Danny into centre mid now and spraying the passes around. Eyvindur up front having a go at out muscling the big SM defenders. An excellent through ball from Danny gives Eyvindur a half chance...goal. Great, great finish. 2-3 RED.
More RED pressure now, passing well and playing like a team. Nifty footwork from Struan on the right wing forces a corner. "I really wish I'd reminded them about the short corner routine..." utters the coach as Danny puts the ball down, takes a short corner to Struan, who turns and plays the ball infield to a sprinting Danny..."that is the routine we worked on"...who fires the ball into the top corner. 2-4 RED.
One from the training ground. No massed celebrations with the coaching staff though.
SM summon up the effort for one last push. Huge pressure follows for the RED team. Hector is brave as he tackles and clears danger. Ollie and Jack are everywhere. Kjartan is blocking shots on the line. Keir the Goalie is in fine form, tipping shots onto the post, diving at feet. A remarkable series of shots resulted in the RED crossbar then post being hit before the danger is cleared.
Suddenly the RED team break upfield and SM look a little exposed. RED pile forward and Eyvindur lays the ball off to Jack who hits the ball just past the post! SM retrieve the ball and break upfield. Uh-oh. Great save from Keir but the scramble sees the ball forced home. 3-4 RED.
We are now well into injury time. The ref is looking at his watch. The RED coaches have thrown their watches away as they are obviously broken. The ref looks at his watch again. Blow the whistle. SM charge forward. Blow the whistle. Shot. Blow the whistle. Keir flies to his right. Blow the whistle. It is in the net...no! Keir has saved it. Blow the whistle. SM forwards charge forward for the rebound. Blow the whistle. SM forward smashes it into the net...no! Keir has saved it again. Blow the whistle. Where is the rebound? Keir stands and proudly lifts the ball aloft in one hand while clenching his other in victory. Still the ref has not blown his whistle! Keir drops the ball to Jack who hammers it up the pitch.
The ref blows his whistle and RED win away to SM! 3-4 RED.
Great team performance from Keir, Ollie, Kjartan, Jack, Danny, Struan, Eyvindur, Hector and Alex.
At long last the RED team won away from home against rivals and bogey team from SM. Lovely day, bit cold, blue sky, bit of a wind, bumper squad. Team lined up with Keir The Goalie, defensive pair of Ollie and Kjartan, Danny on the right, Jack in centre mid, Eyvindur on the left, Struan up front. Hector and Alex A ready to go from the bench.
Last minute instructions from the boss - keeper to defenders quickly. early pass from defence, midfield track back, strikers pass, work together, stay positive, and...a number of other things over his page of notes that he forgot to say! Among the things he forgot to mention was a reminder about the short corner routine.
Kick-off - RED race up the pitch, shot from Struan, saved for a corner. "Oh, I meant to tell them about corners..." muttered the coach to the away support "...we've been wasting them recently, but it was over the page in my notes...". Just then, Danny flings the corner into the box and Jack smashes it into the net. 0-1 RED.
Banter ensues within the away support. Coach folds up his notes and decides to leave them to it. Suddenly SM break following a period of pressure from RED team. Ollie and Kjartan are swamped and SM fire past a helpless Keir. 1-1.
Play rages from end to end now. Keir makes a couple of wonderful saves as SM storm back into the match. Ollie and Kjartan are brilliant at the back, fixing things, mopping up pressure and playing the ball out from the back. Midfield is tricky. Jack is forced back as SM pile into the middle, Danny and Eybindur make some great breaks but the SM defence hack the ball clear. Hector is as busy as ever helping in defence and midfield. Alex has an injury problem early on but battles on showing lots of willingness to tackle. Struan is quiet upfront with a couple of giants bullying him off the ball. This is going to be a tough match!
Slight reorganisation, Eyvindur as striker, Danny on right, Struan on left, Jack in centre. Nice exchange of passes from Eyvindur and Struan sets up Danny. A wonderful shot from distance flies into the top corner. 1-2 RED.
Lots of RED pressure now. Eyvindur goes close. Jack fired one just past the post. Hector has one blocked on the line. A third goal looks likely...oops. Another break away and the SM flier (he can run like the wind) surges past the defence and fires another one into the net. 2-2 at HT.
"Unlucky. Playing well. Looking good. We can do this". Team talk over the coach sinks his hands into pockets and finds his notes again. "Oh, forgot about the short corner routine again!", he offered to the away support.
Danny into centre mid now and spraying the passes around. Eyvindur up front having a go at out muscling the big SM defenders. An excellent through ball from Danny gives Eyvindur a half chance...goal. Great, great finish. 2-3 RED.
More RED pressure now, passing well and playing like a team. Nifty footwork from Struan on the right wing forces a corner. "I really wish I'd reminded them about the short corner routine..." utters the coach as Danny puts the ball down, takes a short corner to Struan, who turns and plays the ball infield to a sprinting Danny..."that is the routine we worked on"...who fires the ball into the top corner. 2-4 RED.
One from the training ground. No massed celebrations with the coaching staff though.
SM summon up the effort for one last push. Huge pressure follows for the RED team. Hector is brave as he tackles and clears danger. Ollie and Jack are everywhere. Kjartan is blocking shots on the line. Keir the Goalie is in fine form, tipping shots onto the post, diving at feet. A remarkable series of shots resulted in the RED crossbar then post being hit before the danger is cleared.
Suddenly the RED team break upfield and SM look a little exposed. RED pile forward and Eyvindur lays the ball off to Jack who hits the ball just past the post! SM retrieve the ball and break upfield. Uh-oh. Great save from Keir but the scramble sees the ball forced home. 3-4 RED.
We are now well into injury time. The ref is looking at his watch. The RED coaches have thrown their watches away as they are obviously broken. The ref looks at his watch again. Blow the whistle. SM charge forward. Blow the whistle. Shot. Blow the whistle. Keir flies to his right. Blow the whistle. It is in the net...no! Keir has saved it. Blow the whistle. SM forwards charge forward for the rebound. Blow the whistle. SM forward smashes it into the net...no! Keir has saved it again. Blow the whistle. Where is the rebound? Keir stands and proudly lifts the ball aloft in one hand while clenching his other in victory. Still the ref has not blown his whistle! Keir drops the ball to Jack who hammers it up the pitch.
The ref blows his whistle and RED win away to SM! 3-4 RED.
Great team performance from Keir, Ollie, Kjartan, Jack, Danny, Struan, Eyvindur, Hector and Alex.
MATCH REPORT : BLUE home to Tollcross, 7th May 2011
Flavours takes up the story of the blues...
Once we managed to remove the screws from the new cross bars (a run home to find WD40 and a spanner, and a pump for footballs), then discover we have one net, Paul Scott was sent to the dark recesses of the football store, the game got underway 10 minutes later than planned.
Both teams lined up expecting a feast of football and sure enough, after 5 minutes Tollcross (not so Giants anymore) managed to pass their way through our slightly nervy defence and slot home – Blues 0- 1 Tollcross.
Sciennes heads stayed up and with some great interplay in the midfield (Robert, Alex and Hamish) we went straight up the other end and Jude rattled in an unstoppable shot – 1-1.
The game ebbed and flowed as each midfield tried to outdo each other and take control. Robert on the left was in inspired form and tackled like a demon, and if Tollcross got through, the reliable and smiling Joe SH was there to mop up any loose balls.
Some sustained pressure from the Blues – Alex hit the bar and was cleared for a corner. The ball was played in and Hamish (or was it Jude?) squeezed the ball in the net from an acute angle. Blues 2- 1. The Blues went further ahead with Murdo barrelling his way through the middle and finished off coolly slotting the ball past the despairing arms of the keeper. Blues 3-1.
Again the Blues pressed up the field, substitutions being made swiftly and again with Alex orchestrating the middle of the park set Jude scampering through the middle and whacked the ball past the keeper Blues 4-1.
With half time approaching, another foray into the Tollcross half saw a great passing move ending off with a Alex pile driver into the roof of the net, blues 5-1.
Half time – phew, what can we say, same again lads for the second half. “what’s the score they piped up?” (nil, nil replied Coach Flavours!!)
Second half starts with Sam in goal for Coll and the sun in his eyes (did he bring a cap ???) disaster, Tollcross obviously a bit more pumped up passed their way up the park and score – Blues 5-2.
As in the first half, the heads didn’t drop and Robert took the ball for a run down the line, cuts in and blasts past the keeper – celebrations are shall we say, cool, no fuss!! Blues 6-2
Murdo decides that he needs to carry out a similar foray and a long pass from the back finds him sprinting down the right wing, keeps the ball in play and from the byeline manages to send a screamer into the bottom of the net – wow that was a finish. Blues 7-2.
Tollcross gather themselves and our defence is found a bit wanting and they score Blues 7-3
All is not finished, and Murdo completes his hat-trick with a smash and grab goal. Blues 8-3.
To complete the day, Coll bursts through two defenders, see a gap opening and whacks the ball towards the goal. The keeper is rooted to the spot and the ball flies into the back of the net. Coll couldn’t believe it and his celebrations were a joy to see!
Final Score; Blues 9 – 3 Tollcross.
Coll, Joe, Sam, Alex, Jude, Hamish, Robert, Murdo all played their part in this game, all with smiles on their faces and encouraged each other - when the going got tough, the tough got going. The coaches didn’t really have much to say, but “same again next week”. A huge “yes” was the reply, so roll on South Morningside.
Once we managed to remove the screws from the new cross bars (a run home to find WD40 and a spanner, and a pump for footballs), then discover we have one net, Paul Scott was sent to the dark recesses of the football store, the game got underway 10 minutes later than planned.
Both teams lined up expecting a feast of football and sure enough, after 5 minutes Tollcross (not so Giants anymore) managed to pass their way through our slightly nervy defence and slot home – Blues 0- 1 Tollcross.
Sciennes heads stayed up and with some great interplay in the midfield (Robert, Alex and Hamish) we went straight up the other end and Jude rattled in an unstoppable shot – 1-1.
The game ebbed and flowed as each midfield tried to outdo each other and take control. Robert on the left was in inspired form and tackled like a demon, and if Tollcross got through, the reliable and smiling Joe SH was there to mop up any loose balls.
Some sustained pressure from the Blues – Alex hit the bar and was cleared for a corner. The ball was played in and Hamish (or was it Jude?) squeezed the ball in the net from an acute angle. Blues 2- 1. The Blues went further ahead with Murdo barrelling his way through the middle and finished off coolly slotting the ball past the despairing arms of the keeper. Blues 3-1.
Again the Blues pressed up the field, substitutions being made swiftly and again with Alex orchestrating the middle of the park set Jude scampering through the middle and whacked the ball past the keeper Blues 4-1.
With half time approaching, another foray into the Tollcross half saw a great passing move ending off with a Alex pile driver into the roof of the net, blues 5-1.
Half time – phew, what can we say, same again lads for the second half. “what’s the score they piped up?” (nil, nil replied Coach Flavours!!)
Second half starts with Sam in goal for Coll and the sun in his eyes (did he bring a cap ???) disaster, Tollcross obviously a bit more pumped up passed their way up the park and score – Blues 5-2.
As in the first half, the heads didn’t drop and Robert took the ball for a run down the line, cuts in and blasts past the keeper – celebrations are shall we say, cool, no fuss!! Blues 6-2
Murdo decides that he needs to carry out a similar foray and a long pass from the back finds him sprinting down the right wing, keeps the ball in play and from the byeline manages to send a screamer into the bottom of the net – wow that was a finish. Blues 7-2.
Tollcross gather themselves and our defence is found a bit wanting and they score Blues 7-3
All is not finished, and Murdo completes his hat-trick with a smash and grab goal. Blues 8-3.
To complete the day, Coll bursts through two defenders, see a gap opening and whacks the ball towards the goal. The keeper is rooted to the spot and the ball flies into the back of the net. Coll couldn’t believe it and his celebrations were a joy to see!
Final Score; Blues 9 – 3 Tollcross.
Coll, Joe, Sam, Alex, Jude, Hamish, Robert, Murdo all played their part in this game, all with smiles on their faces and encouraged each other - when the going got tough, the tough got going. The coaches didn’t really have much to say, but “same again next week”. A huge “yes” was the reply, so roll on South Morningside.
Sunday, 10 April 2011
MATCH REPORT : YELLOW away to South Morningside, 9th April 2011
South Morningside 5-1 Sciennes Yellows, Meggetland. Robin takes up the story...
Expectations had been raised to fever pitch by two fine victories, would the yellows be able to make it three in a row? Well, er .. no, to be honest it all proved to be a bit too much, and overconfidence and nerves led to a thumping defeat.
The team started with Joe R between the sticks, a solid looking defence of Dawood, Valdi and Connor, an energetic and skilful midfield of Matthew, Aidan and Owen, and Alex A leading the line. With Amir poised to make a telling intervention from the bench.
South Morningside started in confident mode but initially the yellows competed well, however as Morningside broke forward they were able to find a player in space in front of the goal and the ball was driven into the net (1-0), this was quickly followed by a second as the yellows now struggled to clear their lines and after a stramash in the goal mouth the ball broke to the opposition to be prodded home (2-0). At this point some of the old jitters started to re emerge and confidence was clearly rattled, however the yellows rallied and Alex A was unlucky to shave the woodwork on either side of the goals with a couple of fine efforts. With the game in the balance the yellows reached half time, when Ron (the special one) had a chance to alter the formation.
The yellows started the second half brightly with Owen and Alex testing the opposition defence, but then against the run of play came a breakaway goal for Morningside with a fine finish at the end of a flowing move (3-0). A fourth goal followed shortly afterwards, though the purists at the side of the pitch were moved to describe it as a bit of a toe poke (4-0). The boys all continued to work hard but the game was now beyond them. By this time the goal keepers top was changing hands regularly, and sad to say was dropped a couple of times in the handovers. South Morningside took advantage of the confusion to slot home another (5-0). However in a fantastic display of resilience Sciennes broke up the wing at pace and a fine cross from Owen was volleyed home by Joe R. This was followed by one of the most memorable goal celebrations which you are ever likely to see, combining gymnastics, dance and acrobatics as Joe made his way from one end of the pitch to the other. 5-1 but at least the yellows had salvaged some pride.
Expectations had been raised to fever pitch by two fine victories, would the yellows be able to make it three in a row? Well, er .. no, to be honest it all proved to be a bit too much, and overconfidence and nerves led to a thumping defeat.
The team started with Joe R between the sticks, a solid looking defence of Dawood, Valdi and Connor, an energetic and skilful midfield of Matthew, Aidan and Owen, and Alex A leading the line. With Amir poised to make a telling intervention from the bench.
South Morningside started in confident mode but initially the yellows competed well, however as Morningside broke forward they were able to find a player in space in front of the goal and the ball was driven into the net (1-0), this was quickly followed by a second as the yellows now struggled to clear their lines and after a stramash in the goal mouth the ball broke to the opposition to be prodded home (2-0). At this point some of the old jitters started to re emerge and confidence was clearly rattled, however the yellows rallied and Alex A was unlucky to shave the woodwork on either side of the goals with a couple of fine efforts. With the game in the balance the yellows reached half time, when Ron (the special one) had a chance to alter the formation.
The yellows started the second half brightly with Owen and Alex testing the opposition defence, but then against the run of play came a breakaway goal for Morningside with a fine finish at the end of a flowing move (3-0). A fourth goal followed shortly afterwards, though the purists at the side of the pitch were moved to describe it as a bit of a toe poke (4-0). The boys all continued to work hard but the game was now beyond them. By this time the goal keepers top was changing hands regularly, and sad to say was dropped a couple of times in the handovers. South Morningside took advantage of the confusion to slot home another (5-0). However in a fantastic display of resilience Sciennes broke up the wing at pace and a fine cross from Owen was volleyed home by Joe R. This was followed by one of the most memorable goal celebrations which you are ever likely to see, combining gymnastics, dance and acrobatics as Joe made his way from one end of the pitch to the other. 5-1 but at least the yellows had salvaged some pride.
Monday, 4 April 2011
MATCH REPORT : RED at home to Pentland Primary, 2nd April 2011...
Match Reporter Neil takes up the story...
Late drama pre-match when Danny hurt his foot and couldn't play! Could the Red team cope without their central midfield heartbeat?
The Red team won. By quite a lot. It might have been 13-1 but frankly the ref (Neil) lost count. Jack scored 5, Struan at least 4 (like all good forwards he is claiming 5), Kjartan scored 2, Eyvindur scored 1, did Hector get 1? What about Keir? No Keir was in goals and didn't score. Alex didn't score. Or maybe he did? Robert? Not sure if Robert scored, he was too busy being part time goalie (after another outstanding save Keir got a whack and a half so Robert took over for a bit).
Everyone played well but it was a bit of a mismatch. We'll cut short the match report and move to the next game! Well played to Keir, Alex, Robert, Jack, Eyvindur, Kjartan, Hector and Struan.
Late drama pre-match when Danny hurt his foot and couldn't play! Could the Red team cope without their central midfield heartbeat?
The Red team won. By quite a lot. It might have been 13-1 but frankly the ref (Neil) lost count. Jack scored 5, Struan at least 4 (like all good forwards he is claiming 5), Kjartan scored 2, Eyvindur scored 1, did Hector get 1? What about Keir? No Keir was in goals and didn't score. Alex didn't score. Or maybe he did? Robert? Not sure if Robert scored, he was too busy being part time goalie (after another outstanding save Keir got a whack and a half so Robert took over for a bit).
Everyone played well but it was a bit of a mismatch. We'll cut short the match report and move to the next game! Well played to Keir, Alex, Robert, Jack, Eyvindur, Kjartan, Hector and Struan.
Sunday, 3 April 2011
MATCH REPORT : YELLOW away to Clermiston, 2nd April 2011
Match Reporter Ron takes up the story...
Here we were again, the same venue two weeks running, could the yellows recapture the previous weeks glorious “joie de vivre” in their play, or would things crumble in the fiery crucible of a more competitive fixture? How would the team cope without the galvanising presence of their glorious leader, Ron “the special one” McConville, away on a secret scouting mission, or were rumours true that he was being head hunted for the Barca job next season? Would the inexperienced management team cope? Would it rain? So many questions, so many unknown quantities, so much drivel, so get on with the report!
The professionalism of the yellow shone through in their ability to say focused despite the delay in kick off, due to a preceding match starting late. Though sadly the extended warm up was not entirely accident free, resulting in an injury to Joseph Bartlett, which meant he sat out the first half. The starting line up was Feodor in goals, a back three of Joe R. Connor, and Aidan (in for the injured Joseph B at the last minute), and a front three of Valdi, Dawood, and Owen. With Mathew on the bench ready to make a telling intervention.
The first sharp blast of the whistle sent the yellows instantly into attack, and they were on their way to producing a first half of blisteringly pace, and fluent passing football. Clermiston were under the cosh and struggling to cope. Some thrilling wing play by Owen resulted in him winning a free kick on the left hand edge of the penalty box. The goal machine picked himself up, dusted himself down and promptly bent a Beckhamesque free kick into the top corner of the goal. 1-0 the yellows!
Not content to let things rest their a few minutes later Owen burst through onto a defence splitting pass, and taking the ball in his stride sent a rasping low drive past the helpless keeper into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. What power, what control! 2-0 to the yellows!
The yellows grew in confidence and produced some lovely flowing passing moves. Some fine link up play between Valdi and Owen left Dawood racing in on the opposing keeper, and keeping his calm he thumped the ball into the top corner in an emphatic finish. 3-0 to the yellows.
Mathew came on for Dawood and slotted in beautifully. He soon found himself released through the middle, and taking time to look up to see the keeper, he sent a thunderous drive into the top right hand corner. The half time whistle blew and the yellows were cruising at 4-0. We had started in cold and gloom but now the sun was shining, as if to confirm everything was right with the world.
Sadly the second half did not quite live up to the first from the Sciennes point of view. Joseph B did return to the defence despite carrying an injury, and acquitted himself well. The team started well and laid siege to the Clermiston goal but over confidence and over elaboration took their toll. Clermiston broke away and scored a good goal, resulting is some jitters amongst the yellow team. This was not helped by the temporary management having lost the plot with substitutions, trying to get everyone involved. At one point counting the players on the pitch to make sure he had the right number on. Does Pep Gaurdiola have to do this, or does he have someone to do it for him? However the Sciennes team began to reassert themselves and resumed their territorial dominance. Aidan and Connor being solid and committed in defence, with some fine balls prompting attacking play. The team kept the ball well and created a number of fine chances, with Connor being particularly unlucky on two occasions, and Owen being tackled at the past minute when it had seemed that a hat trick was a certainty.
Clermiston however rallied again. In a fierce spell of attacking play Feodor made a particularly brave save, resulting in a facial injury, but the ball unfortunately broke out a Clermiston player who was able to send it past the stricken keeper. Feodor was forced to come off briefly with Aidan taking over in goals. The yellow continued to enjoy the bulk of the play for the remaining few minutes but were unable to add to their total, though their control of the game did see them safely over the finishing line. A fine 4-2 win, and a first half performance that will linger long in the memory.
Sunday, 27 March 2011
MATCH REPORT : RED away to Oxgangs, 26th March 2011
Match Reporter Neil makes it almost completely up from memory...
"Lovely day for a game of football..." commented one Red follower as the Red team set off for game v Oxgangs. some last minute team changes and unavailability meant that we had to draft in a new loan signing with Robert making his Red debut in a reshuffled Red squad. We welcomed Hector back from his Highland training camp and soon saw the benefits of his
mid-season break. Red started with Keir the Goalie in goal, a back pairing of Jack and Robert. In midfield we had Danny in the centre, Kjartan on the right, Hector on the left with Struan up top. Eyvindur started out on the bench but was soon involved. Oxgangs seemed to have one or two giants in their team but since when are the Red team intimidated by a big of muscle?
The game opened up with both sides looking sharp, and one or two meaty challenges from the home team resulted in a series rolling substitutions with both Robert and Kjartan suffering
from some agricultural challenges. First major chance fell to Kjartan after a great run down the right he exchanged passes with Danny and then fired a shot narrowly passed the post from a tight angle. Nice play and it signalled a period of pressure from the Reds. Another great passage of play saw the ball being fired from the right to Eyvindur arriving quickly at the back post who couldn't quite divert his shot on target. The Red team continued to apply pressure. A great move saw Hector spreading the ball wide and Kjartan fired in another cross - Struan dummied at the front post and - Eyvindur arrived once again at the back post and fired the ball just past the post. Getting closer though! Another fine series of passes from Kjartan, Danny and Struan saw the ball fall to - guess who? Yup, this time though Eyvindur hit the target…but the Oxgangs goalie made a great save.
It wasn't always one way traffic though. At the other end Robert and Jack were coping brilliantly with a rather robust series of challenges from the Oxgangs forward line. Play was being built from the back with Robert's superb distribution being a great asset to the Red team. Danny burst through midfield, cut inside the defensive midfield player and fired in a great shot. The Oxgangs goalie saved well but spilled the ball. Uh-oh. Struan reacted first and fired the ball home. 0-1 RED.
Great start. Most unlike the Red team!
Oxgangs were looking dangerous on the break though and the Red team had to be careful matching the strong running of the 'big number 9' who was rampaging through a series of challenges and peppering shots around Keir's goal. Some excellent keeping and fantastic defensive pressure ensured that the Red goal remained intact. Some nice forward running from Struan was stretching the Oxgangs defence and it wasn't long before the Oxgang goalie was tested again. A great turn and shot from Struan had the Oxgangs goalie scrambling the ball clear but Danny controlled the ball on the edge of the box and fired home. Great goal. 0-2 RED.
Oxgangs turned up the heat now. Some very robust challenges saw more substitutions! Keir raced out of his box and cleared the ball - only to be flattened by the ‘big number 9’. Robert reminded the Red coach of his goalkeeping skills as Keir was taken off for ‘treatment’. The Red coaching team were worried - Oxgangs were peppering the Red goal now. One certain
goal was avoided when Robert carried out what we call the 'casual wonder save'. What happened was that we let an opponent smash one into the top corner from just inside the box. Robert spots it nice and early and waits. And waits. And waits. At the last minute as the opponent is wheeling away to salute the crowd Robert casually sticks out a paw and grabs the ball! Wooo, what a save!
Half-time 0-2 RED.
A great start. Keir is fit again, Robert slots into defence and the game kicks off with Oxgangs piling forward looking to get back into the game. Keir has a couple of wonder saves to deny the 'big number 9' but was helpless when a series of shots eventually results in the ball breaking unkindly in the box to the big number 2 who fired the ball high into the net. 1-2 RED.
More Oxgangs pressure. Keir and his defensive cover hold firm. Oxgangs can't find a way through and resort to taking wild shots from distance. One speculative effort is being ushered wide when it inexplicably swings inside the far post! Disaster. 2-2.
Now the RED team really didn't deserve that. However Oxgangs have the oxtails up now. For the next five minutes the Red team were literally battered by Oxgangs. Tackles flew, players raged and the Red team hung on for dear life. Keir made some outstanding saves, Jack played brilliantly, Hector was busy mopping up anything nearby, Eyvindur worked hard trying to snuff out danger and Robert helped organise things with very useful direction and encouragement. Kjartan meanwhile was being whacked all over the place by some very robust tackling. The RED team held firm and always looked dangerous on the break. In one brilliant flowing move Kjartan and Danny linked well in midfield and after a series of passed played the ball wide to Struan, who beat a defender and fired the ball across goal to...Hector! How did he get there? Hit it first time? No, take a touch? No hit it! The coaches couldn't make up their minds and nor
could Hector - so he just whacked the ball but it just slid past the post. What a tremendous move and where did Hector find the energy to get into the box?
That moved signalled a turnaround. Red team re-grouped and started to play again. More great midfield play from Danny saw Eyvindur blast one into the arms of the keeper, Struan fired just over, Kjartan had a rocket shot saved. This was much better. Suddenly we relaxed. Kjartan played the ball through to Danny who cut the ball back to Struan who fired the ball home first time from a tight angle. Yahoo. 2-3 RED.
The game then became very feisty! Oxgangs tackling grew in ferocity but the Red team continued to play well and soon had a fourth goal to celebrate. A free kick on the left after Kjartan was fouled was played into the box, the ball was half cleared to Danny who stepped inside one player and fired the ball into the bottom corner. Great, great, great finish. 2-4 RED.
With the RED team firmly on top now the ref blew the full-time whistle. A great win for RED team over a good Oxgangs team. 2-4 RED FULL-TIME.
Well played to the entire Red squad Keir, Jack, Robert, Hector, Eyvindur, Danny, Kjartan and Struan.
MATCH REPORT : BLUE away to Liberton, 26th March 2011
Match Reporter Richard takes up the story...
So off to Double Hedges on a nice bright morning. Spring not quite arrrived and there is still enough of a chill in the air to make property paul regret his rash decision not to don usual thermals, hat and three jackets. Team lines up in a familiar formation of Coll in goal, Joe and Murdo at the back, a midfield trio of Hamish, Alex and Sam with Jude the hitman up front Sasha starting off on the bench.
Sciennes got off to a cracking start and were two up with only a few minutes played. Hamish netted first after turning two defenders and finishing smartly in the bottom left hand corner. Then Alex with probably the most fortuitous goal he has scored for the blues. A high punt into the the penalty area misses everybody, takes one bounce and then nestles in the roof of the net. They all count.
It was all blues for the first 10 minutes or so with numerous chances to increase the lead. The team were playing well and had a number of shots at goal. One effort was cleared off the line (although it looked well over from where I was standing). It was looking like it could be a bit of a massacre. But out of nowhere Liberton hit a long ball that took the blues defence out of the game. Their forward ran on and finished well. 2-1. The game became a bit of a midfield scrap at this point with the blues struggling to come to the terms with the rather tight pitch. Joe and Murdo at the back were called upon more often to break up attacks as Liberton showed they had a few decent players and began to threaten more. One break up the right wing looked particularly dangerous with Liberton having men in the box and the blues defence caught out of position but Coll manage to block the cross and Sasha tidied up.
The blues were still making chances and Jude shot wide on 20 minutes after good work from Alex was followed by an excellent cross.
Then that rarest of things a headed goal. Nice cross which Jude meets from a yard out and the blues extend their lead. But almost immediately blues defensive frailties were exposed after some 'schoolboy' defending Liberton were level. 3-2.
Sciennes respond well and Sasha has a great run brutally curtailed by a very dodgy tackle. Blues coaches shout for a foul but the ref waves away their appeals.
Then from a throw in on the left touchline the blues defenders, despite the blues coaches frantic cries to get 'goalside', are caught on the wrong side of the attackers. The throw goes over their heads and the Liberton attacker runs on and manages to slide the ball past the outrushng Coll. 3-3 would you believe.
It was nearly half-time when the best goal of the match so far was scored. Coll rolled the ball out to Jude. Jude found alex on the left who danced off up the wing leaving a couple of defenders in his wake. His powered low cross into the back post was met perfectly by Hamish who buried the ball confidently. Half-time 4-3. Blimey!
Half-tme team talk consisted of an explanation of the term 'goal-side'.
2nd half kicked off with some team changes. Sam swapped with Coll in goal and Alex and Jude dropped into defence. Liberton ambitiously tried a shot direct from kick off showing they were feeling confident.
Blues started well with Sasha making some good runs. Hamish had a chance and then Coll just failed to steer a clearance goalwards, the ball sliding just the wrong side of the left hand post. The first foul of the match was rightly awarded when Joe was cut down in midfield. Ball into box came to nothing.
Liberton then hit the post and were unlucky not to score. But moments later they do as a long shot from midfield is well saved by Sam who cannot prevent the Liberton player following up and scoring. 4-4.
What turns out to be the winner is scored by Alex. Received the ball near the left hand corner flag. Is pursued by two defenders but twists and turns, eventually doubles back and fires in a shot with ....wait for it....his RIGHT foot. It takes a very slight deflection and creeps inside the right hand post. 5-4. Get in there!
The game become very tense with Liberton exerting a lot of pressure and the Blues happy just to hang on. Alex comes in for some rough treatment and is left in a crumpled heap on the grass after being felled by Liberton's impressive pony-tailed midfield enforcer a few minutes from full time. This player is more Mandy Carroll than Andy Carroll though. Neve (for that was her name) is asked to apologise by the Liberton coach which she does very sweetly and the game moves on.
Both teams have further chances to score. Murdo comes close and the Liberton goalie has the save of the match when amazingly he manages to push a blockbuster shot onto the bar from point blank range when a goal looked certain. Hat's off to the Liberton goalie!
Sam takes the ball down the wing in the last moments before the ref blows the final whistle.
An enjoyable game for the the spectator with some cracking goals. In the end I think the blues deserved the win. Liberton were a strong team with a couple of talented individuals and after a slow start came on very strong. We played some great stuff and at times passed the ball around impressively. Looking forward to next weeks game for more of the same..
Well done everyone.
MATCH REPORT : YELLOW away to Clermiston, 26th March 2011
Match Reporter Ron takes up the story...
It was a bright spring morning and the yellows approached their away fixture with Clermiston with renewed hope and a spring in their steps. They astonished the coaching staff by asking for an exercise that let them practice passing in the warm up. Surely this must be the signal for the dawning of a new era.
It was a bright spring morning and the yellows approached their away fixture with Clermiston with renewed hope and a spring in their steps. They astonished the coaching staff by asking for an exercise that let them practice passing in the warm up. Surely this must be the signal for the dawning of a new era.
They must have felt like East Fife entering the San Siro as they familiarised themselves with the pitch, lines everywhere and not a cone insight. What strange game was played here?
Ron (or the special one, as he is sometimes known) laid out his tactical plans as tension rose for a friendly game split into four quarters.
The team was set out with the ever reliable Freddie in goals, a solid looking back three of Dawood, and the two Joes, and an industrious, committed and skilful front three of Aidan, Connor, and Owen (the goal machine). Held in reserve to make their telling interventions later were Matthew and Feodor
The team started brightly and were rewarded when Owen broke free of his marker to run on a slot home the opening goal with a cool right foot finish. With confidence rising Owen went on to “picked the pocket “ of the Clermiston central defender, before running on to finish with his left foot this time. Is there nothing his lad cannot do! 0-2 at the end of the first quarter with the defence looking rock solid and able to deal with anything the opposition could throw at them.
2nd quarter and with the special one keen not to rest on his laurels Matthew and Feodor came on for the two Joes in a tactical reshuffle. Both settling quickly into the game and performing well. With confidence growing the yellow team were starting to out pass their opponents. Playing flowing football their passes traced an intricate pattern across the green sward. A scintillating move culminated in Aidan cutting in from the wide right to provide a low driven cross which was expertly converted by Matthew. Alas at this point euphoria and over confidence (let’s face it, they are not used to being 3-0 up) got the better of the yellows and concentration went. Clermiston came back into the game with a well taken goal just at the end of the second Quarter.
The 3rd Quarter saw further tactical refinements with the industrious Connor and Aidan being rested. The shrewd tactical changes quickly paid dividends as the yellows ran riot. There was a fine finish from Dawood who had burst forward as part of his marauding mid field role, and latched onto a slide rule pass before beating the keeper. This was followed by Owen completing his hat trick, and not satisfied with that went on to back another one. Is this boy’s thirst for goals truly insatiable?! Both fine finishes. (He had been told before the start that if he scored less than three he was walking home. So it looks like he’s booked a lift next week as well). Yellows in complete control and playing some of the best passing football they have ever produced.
The 4th quarter saw even further tactical refinements (bit of OCD about this “special one “if you ask me). Feodor took over between the sticks, and performed well, leaving Freddie to make his customary surging runs in the outfield. Joseph Bartlett remained the rock at the heart of the defence, and Joe R put in his usual uncompromising shift in midfield and defence, despite having to leave the field briefly for an injury, with his distribution of the ball being very good. Owen produced yet another fine strike for his 5th (yes, his thirst for goals is insatiable) and the teams 7th. Clermiston carried on bravely and were rewarded with a late goal.
7-2 to the yellows and spring is in the air!
Monday, 27 September 2010
MATCH REPORT : RED away to St Peters Primary Yellow, 25th September 2010
Preparations for the away game with St Peters were thrown into chaos as someone (who will remain nameless) read the mail incorrectly and thought we were to meet at 9:10am not 8:50am. Fortunately we were able to phone Kristjan and hurry the whole thing along. Disaster averted.
RED team arrived to find Meggetland looking splendid in the September sun. The pitch looked a little tight but plenty of nice grass and with games already raging all around it looked like a great place for a match. The St Peters squad looked huge, probably about 45 players, or maybe a few less but they seemed to have more than enough for a 7-a-side game.
RED team started with Danny in goals - wearing the brand new Sciennes goalie strip (woo-hoo!), Ollie at the back, Jack sitting in front of Ollie, Hector, Ali The Goalie and Kjartan in midfield with Struan lurking around as the striker. Eyvindur and Alex started on the bench.
Kick-off and the RED team were straight up the field. Kjartan fed the ball to Struan, who danced round a couple of defenders and smashed the ball into the net. Nice start. 1-0 RED.
A minute later the ball is back in the St Peters box, a nice turn from Struan sets up Ali who had his shot well saved by the goalie. "This could get interesting..." we thought. 30 seconds later Struan collects on the edge of the area, shoots, great save from the goalie but Kjartan follows up to tap the ball into the net. Super cool finish. 2-0 RED.
This is a whirlwind start but suddenly St Peters cross the halfway line but Danny is out to the edge of the area to pick the ball up. Phew. A quick break upfield sees Ali fire in another shot that is saved. The RED team retreat, the goalie feeds the ball to the defender but he makes the mistake of trying to dribble out. Struan tackles him then calmly rolls the ball past the goalie to make it three! 3-0 RED.
By now the RED team are itching to be involved. Subs roll on and off. Jack has a great break from deep in midfield, exchanges passes with Ali The Goalie (playing in midfield despite the nickname) and fires in a great shot that is saved once again by the excellent St Peters goalie.
Next is was Eyvindur and Alex who combined to then set up Kjartan with a great shot from the edge of the box that crashes in off the post! 4-0 RED.
Danny is out of goals now and Ali The Goalie is in goals. Danny spreads the ball out wide, Struan and Eyvindur play a 1-2, Struan crosses and Hector smashes the ball home. That is the second time this Struan-Hector combination has scored in last couple of weeks! 5-0 RED.
By now the bumper St Peters squad has come into play and the RED team were finding it harder to find their way through midfield against 9 players. Jack found a way though and his excellent shot from the edge of the box gave the keeper no chance. 6-0 RED.
More reinforcements arrive but Alex was coming into his own now in the packed midfield. His ability to ride tackles and keep the ball was proving to be very useful. A quick pass out wide to Kjartan set him off down the wing, the cross was excellent and Jack smashed the ball home. 7-0 RED.
Time for more changes to the formation. Hector, much to his surprise volunteered to go in goals. That new top was proving to be quite a hit! Pity the ref blew for half time before the gloves were properly on!
Half time 7-0 RED.
Wow, some performance from the whole RED squad. Everyone playing their part and taking their chances in front of goal. time for a few more experiments. The second half started with Hector in goals, Jack at the back on his hown, Kjartan as the sitting midfield player, Struan on the right, Ali in the middle, Danny on the left and Ollie as the striker. Yes, the same Ollie that fainted a couple of weeks ago when he found himself in the opposition box with the ball at his feet!
St Peters had a few players on the pitch now and smooth passing was beginning to get tricky. A nice break from Struan down the right resulted in a great cross into the box which Ollie (yes the same Ollie etc., etc.) dispatched with ease. Ollie scored. 8-0 RED.
Struan in goals now. Then Ollie. Was Kjartan in too? Can't recall. Great midfield play from Eyvindur released Danny, who returned the ball to Eyvindur who finished well from close range. 9-0 RED.
Alex in goals now. By now St Peters had their entire squad on the pitch - around 45 players I'd guess - and it was tricky to see the RED team. A final last minute effort from St Peters saw the RED defence troubled for the first time. A fully fledged, genuine, all in stramash developed in the box with flashes of Sciennes yellow goalie top being seen flying around. The ball is cleared. The ball if hoofed back. The goalie blocks. The ball is force forward again. Struan clears it off the line. Shot. Ali blocks it. Shot. Alex flings himself at it. Shot again. Struan clears again. Finally with Alex flying across and knocking Ali into tomorrow in an attempt to keep the ball out the St Peters 45 fly off in celebration as the ball is forced home. 9-1 RED.
The ref, who previously thought he had seen it all, shook his head as he blew for full time. 9-1 RED. What a performance. Both teams deserve credit for the way they kept going and well done to St Peters for grabbing that goal at the end and having one of the best celebrations seen since those Icelandic fishing celebrations!
RED squad : Danny, Ollie, Jack, Hector, Ali, Kjartan, Eyvindur, Struan and Alex.
RED team arrived to find Meggetland looking splendid in the September sun. The pitch looked a little tight but plenty of nice grass and with games already raging all around it looked like a great place for a match. The St Peters squad looked huge, probably about 45 players, or maybe a few less but they seemed to have more than enough for a 7-a-side game.
RED team started with Danny in goals - wearing the brand new Sciennes goalie strip (woo-hoo!), Ollie at the back, Jack sitting in front of Ollie, Hector, Ali The Goalie and Kjartan in midfield with Struan lurking around as the striker. Eyvindur and Alex started on the bench.
Kick-off and the RED team were straight up the field. Kjartan fed the ball to Struan, who danced round a couple of defenders and smashed the ball into the net. Nice start. 1-0 RED.
A minute later the ball is back in the St Peters box, a nice turn from Struan sets up Ali who had his shot well saved by the goalie. "This could get interesting..." we thought. 30 seconds later Struan collects on the edge of the area, shoots, great save from the goalie but Kjartan follows up to tap the ball into the net. Super cool finish. 2-0 RED.
This is a whirlwind start but suddenly St Peters cross the halfway line but Danny is out to the edge of the area to pick the ball up. Phew. A quick break upfield sees Ali fire in another shot that is saved. The RED team retreat, the goalie feeds the ball to the defender but he makes the mistake of trying to dribble out. Struan tackles him then calmly rolls the ball past the goalie to make it three! 3-0 RED.
By now the RED team are itching to be involved. Subs roll on and off. Jack has a great break from deep in midfield, exchanges passes with Ali The Goalie (playing in midfield despite the nickname) and fires in a great shot that is saved once again by the excellent St Peters goalie.
Next is was Eyvindur and Alex who combined to then set up Kjartan with a great shot from the edge of the box that crashes in off the post! 4-0 RED.
Danny is out of goals now and Ali The Goalie is in goals. Danny spreads the ball out wide, Struan and Eyvindur play a 1-2, Struan crosses and Hector smashes the ball home. That is the second time this Struan-Hector combination has scored in last couple of weeks! 5-0 RED.
By now the bumper St Peters squad has come into play and the RED team were finding it harder to find their way through midfield against 9 players. Jack found a way though and his excellent shot from the edge of the box gave the keeper no chance. 6-0 RED.
More reinforcements arrive but Alex was coming into his own now in the packed midfield. His ability to ride tackles and keep the ball was proving to be very useful. A quick pass out wide to Kjartan set him off down the wing, the cross was excellent and Jack smashed the ball home. 7-0 RED.
Time for more changes to the formation. Hector, much to his surprise volunteered to go in goals. That new top was proving to be quite a hit! Pity the ref blew for half time before the gloves were properly on!
Half time 7-0 RED.
Wow, some performance from the whole RED squad. Everyone playing their part and taking their chances in front of goal. time for a few more experiments. The second half started with Hector in goals, Jack at the back on his hown, Kjartan as the sitting midfield player, Struan on the right, Ali in the middle, Danny on the left and Ollie as the striker. Yes, the same Ollie that fainted a couple of weeks ago when he found himself in the opposition box with the ball at his feet!
St Peters had a few players on the pitch now and smooth passing was beginning to get tricky. A nice break from Struan down the right resulted in a great cross into the box which Ollie (yes the same Ollie etc., etc.) dispatched with ease. Ollie scored. 8-0 RED.
Struan in goals now. Then Ollie. Was Kjartan in too? Can't recall. Great midfield play from Eyvindur released Danny, who returned the ball to Eyvindur who finished well from close range. 9-0 RED.
Alex in goals now. By now St Peters had their entire squad on the pitch - around 45 players I'd guess - and it was tricky to see the RED team. A final last minute effort from St Peters saw the RED defence troubled for the first time. A fully fledged, genuine, all in stramash developed in the box with flashes of Sciennes yellow goalie top being seen flying around. The ball is cleared. The ball if hoofed back. The goalie blocks. The ball is force forward again. Struan clears it off the line. Shot. Ali blocks it. Shot. Alex flings himself at it. Shot again. Struan clears again. Finally with Alex flying across and knocking Ali into tomorrow in an attempt to keep the ball out the St Peters 45 fly off in celebration as the ball is forced home. 9-1 RED.
The ref, who previously thought he had seen it all, shook his head as he blew for full time. 9-1 RED. What a performance. Both teams deserve credit for the way they kept going and well done to St Peters for grabbing that goal at the end and having one of the best celebrations seen since those Icelandic fishing celebrations!
RED squad : Danny, Ollie, Jack, Hector, Ali, Kjartan, Eyvindur, Struan and Alex.
Monday, 20 September 2010
MATCH REPORT : BLUE away to Oxgangs, 18th September 2010
Blues impressive early season form continued with a convincing away win to Oxgangs. Our reporter Richard takes up the story...
Blue Team lined with a couple of changes from previous week with Joe and Roddy away and Freddie making his debut. Game kicked off amid chilly conditions despite the sunshine. Blues quickly picked up from where they left off at double hedges with a nerve calming early goal. Murdo played a great ball into space which Hamish latched onto on the right wing. Hamish fired in a lovely cross which the Oxgangs goalie fumbled under pressure and Alex pounced on the loose ball to put blues into the lead. 0-1 BLUE
Blues carried the game to Oxgangs and had a number of other chances. Jude shooting wide, Hamish just missed with a header. The second goal was worth waiting for with the ball breaking to Alex on the left hand edge of the area. His shot found the postage stamp giving the goalie no chance. 0-2 BLUE.
Oxgangs responded but couldn't find anyway past the defence and with Robert and Sam coping with their infrequent forays into the blue half. After one such attack a great counter led to the third blue goal. Alex played the ball to Jude who then passed to Hamish and then continued his run. Hamish returned the ball to Jude who finished coolly. 0-3 BLUE.
At this point in a serious blow mid-field dynamo Murdo had to leave the action due to injury with Freddie replacing him. With only eight players on the day Blues couldn't afford any more casualties.
Next goal was from Hamish after being found from a clever pass by Robert. 0-4 BLUE.
Oxgangs scored just before half time to give them a little encouragement. 1-4 BLUE.
Hamish still had time to bag his second after a throw in from Alex to see the blues going in 1-5 up at half-time.
Half-time team talk was more of the same please. Coll, who had mainly been a spectator in goal, swapped with Freddie.
Second half kicked off and Oxgangs had obviously had the hair dryer treatment as they looked much more purposeful. Freddie was almost immediatley called upon to make a save. Despite their better start Oxgangs went further behind. A good ball from Coll released Hamish. Hamish was bearing in on goal and looked certain to score when his legs were taken from him pretty cynically. Jude stepped up and banged home the pen. 1-6 BLUE.
Oxgangs continued to make a go of it though and started to apply a bit of pressure. For a period blues looked a little shaky. Oxgangs looked certain to score but hit the post and then another shot went narrowlly over the bar. Eventually the pressure told and a ball over the top caught Blues napping. Oxgang forward finished well giving Freddie no chance. 2-6 BLUE
Blues responded immediately and Alex and Hamish combined allowing Hamish to complete his hat-trick. 2-7 BLUE
At this point Blues thought the game was all over and collectively started contemplating what they might like for lunch. Their tea was almost out though as Oxgangs suddenly made a stirring come back and scored two quick goals in succession. 4-7 BLUE
Then to the Blue coaches horror a controversial penalty was awarded against them. It it goes to 7-5 blues could be in for a very rocky last five minutes. However, Oxgangs answer to Chris Waddle (circa 1990) stepped up and puts the ball into the 'stratosphere' (one for the Ed!).
The Blues regain their composure and close out the final few minutes. Freddie make one terrific save from a powerful drive . Final name on the scoresheet is Jude who is put through and rounds the keeper to make the final score 4-8 BLUE.
Another good display with some really excellent passing moves and movement. A slight loss in concentration in the second half but other than that a really good performance from everyone. Tricky test against St Peters coming up but I think we can do well. Well done the boys!
Blue Team lined with a couple of changes from previous week with Joe and Roddy away and Freddie making his debut. Game kicked off amid chilly conditions despite the sunshine. Blues quickly picked up from where they left off at double hedges with a nerve calming early goal. Murdo played a great ball into space which Hamish latched onto on the right wing. Hamish fired in a lovely cross which the Oxgangs goalie fumbled under pressure and Alex pounced on the loose ball to put blues into the lead. 0-1 BLUE
Blues carried the game to Oxgangs and had a number of other chances. Jude shooting wide, Hamish just missed with a header. The second goal was worth waiting for with the ball breaking to Alex on the left hand edge of the area. His shot found the postage stamp giving the goalie no chance. 0-2 BLUE.
Oxgangs responded but couldn't find anyway past the defence and with Robert and Sam coping with their infrequent forays into the blue half. After one such attack a great counter led to the third blue goal. Alex played the ball to Jude who then passed to Hamish and then continued his run. Hamish returned the ball to Jude who finished coolly. 0-3 BLUE.
At this point in a serious blow mid-field dynamo Murdo had to leave the action due to injury with Freddie replacing him. With only eight players on the day Blues couldn't afford any more casualties.
Next goal was from Hamish after being found from a clever pass by Robert. 0-4 BLUE.
Oxgangs scored just before half time to give them a little encouragement. 1-4 BLUE.
Hamish still had time to bag his second after a throw in from Alex to see the blues going in 1-5 up at half-time.
Half-time team talk was more of the same please. Coll, who had mainly been a spectator in goal, swapped with Freddie.
Second half kicked off and Oxgangs had obviously had the hair dryer treatment as they looked much more purposeful. Freddie was almost immediatley called upon to make a save. Despite their better start Oxgangs went further behind. A good ball from Coll released Hamish. Hamish was bearing in on goal and looked certain to score when his legs were taken from him pretty cynically. Jude stepped up and banged home the pen. 1-6 BLUE.
Oxgangs continued to make a go of it though and started to apply a bit of pressure. For a period blues looked a little shaky. Oxgangs looked certain to score but hit the post and then another shot went narrowlly over the bar. Eventually the pressure told and a ball over the top caught Blues napping. Oxgang forward finished well giving Freddie no chance. 2-6 BLUE
Blues responded immediately and Alex and Hamish combined allowing Hamish to complete his hat-trick. 2-7 BLUE
At this point Blues thought the game was all over and collectively started contemplating what they might like for lunch. Their tea was almost out though as Oxgangs suddenly made a stirring come back and scored two quick goals in succession. 4-7 BLUE
Then to the Blue coaches horror a controversial penalty was awarded against them. It it goes to 7-5 blues could be in for a very rocky last five minutes. However, Oxgangs answer to Chris Waddle (circa 1990) stepped up and puts the ball into the 'stratosphere' (one for the Ed!).
The Blues regain their composure and close out the final few minutes. Freddie make one terrific save from a powerful drive . Final name on the scoresheet is Jude who is put through and rounds the keeper to make the final score 4-8 BLUE.
Another good display with some really excellent passing moves and movement. A slight loss in concentration in the second half but other than that a really good performance from everyone. Tricky test against St Peters coming up but I think we can do well. Well done the boys!
MATCH REPORT : RED at home to St Peter's Primary, 18th September 2010...
On Saturday the RED team welcomed the mighty St Peter's Blue team (and their frankly enormous travelling support) to The Meadows Stadium. As ever, the Saturday morning weather was kind and the pitch eventually looked like it could be used for football (one or two issues on Saturday with 'missing' kit, the culprits will be found and dealt with). The game when it started was simply brilliant.
The RED team looked good during the brief warm up. Some nice crisp passing and some excellent goalkeeping from Danny. Surely there would be no first half disaster?
Danny started out in goals, Ollie at the back with Jack sweeping things up in a new role as the sitting-holding-sweeping-in-front-of-the-defence midfield player. Kjartan started in the middle of midfield, Struan on the right and Eyvindur on the left. Ali The Goalie was the striker and Alex A started on the bench but was soon involved.
In the opening few minutes The Mighty St Peter's Primary swarmed forward but the RED defence stayed firm. Jack was relishing his new role, constantly detecting trouble, intercepting and then bringing the ball out from the back. Appears that we have found a solution to our trouble getting the ball up field in a controlled manner.
Struan was playing well on the right, keeping the dangerous MStPP left midfield player very quiet. Kjartan was working really hard, tracking back to help his defence. Eyvindur was as busy as ever, looking to help Ali at every opportunity. Ali had a tough afternoon up front being marked very tightly by the two best defenders we have faced. I'd say that they were the second best defensive pair in the league - the RED defence are obviously the best, no matter who is playing there!
At the back Ollie was in fine form, snuffing out any danger and playing the ball to Jack or other midfield players or sensibly taking no chances and playing the ball out. Danny was in excellent form and had a couple of excellent early saves. Alex came on during the first half and was in great form. He was given a specific marking job which really suits his style of play. The MStPP number 6 went from being the most dangerous player on the field to being the quietest (from a footballing point of view, vocally he still had a few things to say!).
As the game raged from end to end it was obvious that a single goal could win this. As the first half neared completion some excellent play for Kjartan and Struan resulted in Alex getting the ball on the edge of the box. A nice trick from Alex and he had broken through the massed defence and smashed the ball off the post. Oh, so, so, so close. HALF TIME 0-0.
So far so good. The MStPP are always very impressive and play some excellent football. Both team were having to work extremely hard to keep the other team at bay. Would anyone manage to break through? Would we have a 0-0? Could anyone break the deadlock?
Second half started with Ali The Goalie starting in goals, Ollie as the sole defender, Jack sweeping behind the midfield, Danny at centre mid, Kjartan on the right, Eyvindur on the left and Struan up front. Alex, still recovering from his first half thunderbolt started on the bench.
The game was becoming slightly more stretched now with gaps beginning to appear in both midfields. Danny was supporting Struan at every opportunity and on a number of occasions either he or Struan were one touch away from breaking free. The MStPP defence was proving to be hard to break down and they somehow always found a touch or a flick to keep the REDs out.
RED pressure was building though and if anything the RED coaching team were feeling more confident of scoring than conceding. Suddenly the MStPP broke up field. The RED midfield were caught out and as more MStPP players broke forward Ollie and Jack were outnumbered. As they struggled to cope with the onslaught the ball broke to the back post where an unmarked St Peters striker left Ali The Goalie with no chance. 0-1 The MStPP.
So cruel. RED faces looked a little disappointed. The RED spirit is too strong to let a single goal put them off. As the RED team swarmed forward in search of the equaliser another MStPP break left the RED defence in trouble. Ali saved superbly from the striker but the ball broke free, Ollie half blocked the rebound but the ball broke free and as Ali threw himself onto the ball the St Peter's midfield player poked the ball over the line. 0-2 MStPP.
Very cruel. The RED faces looked red and very disappointed. However, if there is one thing that the RED team have then it is outstanding team spirit. The midfield suddenly doubled their efforts. Alex was everywhere, tackling like crazy. Eyvindur was full of energy and looking dangerous. Danny was full of running and Kjartan finding team mates with some excellent passing. The MStPP were not finish though and swarmed forward again. However the RED midfield tracked back and picked up their opposite numnbers and broke free with the ball. Eyvindur found Danny with a short pass and suddenly it was Danny and Struan crossing the half way line with only one St Peter defender in sight - "...not so mighty now we thought...". Unfortunately it was their best defender!
Danny flew off down the right. The St Peters defender, we should call him Callum because that is his name, retreated not sure if he should tackle Danny or mark Struan. Somehow he managed to cover then both at the same time! He forced Danny to make a decision - pass to Struan or shoot? With advice raining down on Danny he shaped to shoot, but then dinked the ball up and over Callum perfectly into Struan's path. Struan followed the ball and as it dropped over Callum's head he volleyed it with his right foot into the top corner. Wow. 1-2 MStPP.
Goal. Of. The Season.
Inspired by this brilliance the entire RED team became, er, inspired. Jack was causing the MStPP midfield no end of trouble. His distribution was excellent and his covering back was simply brilliant. Even Ollie was pushing up as the RED team tried for the equaliser. RED forced a series of corners that caused the MStPP team real trouble. First a short corner from Kjartan to Danny caused mayhem in the box. Next a fired cross from Danny flew across the box and Kjartan just failed to meet the ball. Next another short corner resulted in Danny smashing the ball near post where the goalie made an excellent save. The pressure was building.
Another corner was whacked clear and the RED team found themselved stranded up field. The MStPP midfield broke forward and the RED midfield looked tired. Ollie and Jack did their best but being out numbered meant that the MStPP took the chance to end the contest with an excellent finish from the breaking midfield player. 1-3 MStPP.
Shame. Just as we thought it was going to be 2-2 the RED team found themselves 1-3. Game over. Or was it? Once again the RED team took hold in midfield and swarmed forward. Struan slipped past a couple of defenders and fired in a shot that was well saved. Eyvindur had a tiny chance from the edge of the box that he did well to test the goalkeeper with. Danny had a couple of rockets blocked. Kjartan and Jack spread play brilliantly. Alex battled to win control of the ball and always looked strong in posession. Another bout of RED pressure forced another series of corners. The first was fired dangerously by Danny across the area but missed everyone. The second was floated over and Struan collected the ball on the edge of the box, slipped inside two defenders and fired the ball home. 2-3 St Peter's.
Yahoo!
With only minutes to go the game really stretched as REDs tried to force an equaliser. Ali has two superb saves as the RED team abandoned defence in favour of all out attack. Some outstanding MStPP defending saw shots from Danny, Kjartan, Jack and Struan all being blocked. Alex forced his way through a packed midfield but was denied by a last ditch tackle from that Calllum bloke.
Finally the ref blew for full time as the exhausted RED team tried to mount one final attack. FINAL SCORE 2-3 to the MStPP.
What a game! The signs at half time were that one goal would win it - this was true but you really couldn't imagine that there would have been 5 goals in the second half. It was one of the best games RED team have been involved in with both team contributing to a very entertaining match. Both sets of supporters when home happy with their teams.
Well played to the entire RED squad - Ali, Ollie, Jack, Danny, Alex, Kjartan, Eyvindur and Struan.
The RED team looked good during the brief warm up. Some nice crisp passing and some excellent goalkeeping from Danny. Surely there would be no first half disaster?
Danny started out in goals, Ollie at the back with Jack sweeping things up in a new role as the sitting-holding-sweeping-in-front-of-the-defence midfield player. Kjartan started in the middle of midfield, Struan on the right and Eyvindur on the left. Ali The Goalie was the striker and Alex A started on the bench but was soon involved.
In the opening few minutes The Mighty St Peter's Primary swarmed forward but the RED defence stayed firm. Jack was relishing his new role, constantly detecting trouble, intercepting and then bringing the ball out from the back. Appears that we have found a solution to our trouble getting the ball up field in a controlled manner.
Struan was playing well on the right, keeping the dangerous MStPP left midfield player very quiet. Kjartan was working really hard, tracking back to help his defence. Eyvindur was as busy as ever, looking to help Ali at every opportunity. Ali had a tough afternoon up front being marked very tightly by the two best defenders we have faced. I'd say that they were the second best defensive pair in the league - the RED defence are obviously the best, no matter who is playing there!
At the back Ollie was in fine form, snuffing out any danger and playing the ball to Jack or other midfield players or sensibly taking no chances and playing the ball out. Danny was in excellent form and had a couple of excellent early saves. Alex came on during the first half and was in great form. He was given a specific marking job which really suits his style of play. The MStPP number 6 went from being the most dangerous player on the field to being the quietest (from a footballing point of view, vocally he still had a few things to say!).
As the game raged from end to end it was obvious that a single goal could win this. As the first half neared completion some excellent play for Kjartan and Struan resulted in Alex getting the ball on the edge of the box. A nice trick from Alex and he had broken through the massed defence and smashed the ball off the post. Oh, so, so, so close. HALF TIME 0-0.
So far so good. The MStPP are always very impressive and play some excellent football. Both team were having to work extremely hard to keep the other team at bay. Would anyone manage to break through? Would we have a 0-0? Could anyone break the deadlock?
Second half started with Ali The Goalie starting in goals, Ollie as the sole defender, Jack sweeping behind the midfield, Danny at centre mid, Kjartan on the right, Eyvindur on the left and Struan up front. Alex, still recovering from his first half thunderbolt started on the bench.
The game was becoming slightly more stretched now with gaps beginning to appear in both midfields. Danny was supporting Struan at every opportunity and on a number of occasions either he or Struan were one touch away from breaking free. The MStPP defence was proving to be hard to break down and they somehow always found a touch or a flick to keep the REDs out.
RED pressure was building though and if anything the RED coaching team were feeling more confident of scoring than conceding. Suddenly the MStPP broke up field. The RED midfield were caught out and as more MStPP players broke forward Ollie and Jack were outnumbered. As they struggled to cope with the onslaught the ball broke to the back post where an unmarked St Peters striker left Ali The Goalie with no chance. 0-1 The MStPP.
So cruel. RED faces looked a little disappointed. The RED spirit is too strong to let a single goal put them off. As the RED team swarmed forward in search of the equaliser another MStPP break left the RED defence in trouble. Ali saved superbly from the striker but the ball broke free, Ollie half blocked the rebound but the ball broke free and as Ali threw himself onto the ball the St Peter's midfield player poked the ball over the line. 0-2 MStPP.
Very cruel. The RED faces looked red and very disappointed. However, if there is one thing that the RED team have then it is outstanding team spirit. The midfield suddenly doubled their efforts. Alex was everywhere, tackling like crazy. Eyvindur was full of energy and looking dangerous. Danny was full of running and Kjartan finding team mates with some excellent passing. The MStPP were not finish though and swarmed forward again. However the RED midfield tracked back and picked up their opposite numnbers and broke free with the ball. Eyvindur found Danny with a short pass and suddenly it was Danny and Struan crossing the half way line with only one St Peter defender in sight - "...not so mighty now we thought...". Unfortunately it was their best defender!
Danny flew off down the right. The St Peters defender, we should call him Callum because that is his name, retreated not sure if he should tackle Danny or mark Struan. Somehow he managed to cover then both at the same time! He forced Danny to make a decision - pass to Struan or shoot? With advice raining down on Danny he shaped to shoot, but then dinked the ball up and over Callum perfectly into Struan's path. Struan followed the ball and as it dropped over Callum's head he volleyed it with his right foot into the top corner. Wow. 1-2 MStPP.
Goal. Of. The Season.
Inspired by this brilliance the entire RED team became, er, inspired. Jack was causing the MStPP midfield no end of trouble. His distribution was excellent and his covering back was simply brilliant. Even Ollie was pushing up as the RED team tried for the equaliser. RED forced a series of corners that caused the MStPP team real trouble. First a short corner from Kjartan to Danny caused mayhem in the box. Next a fired cross from Danny flew across the box and Kjartan just failed to meet the ball. Next another short corner resulted in Danny smashing the ball near post where the goalie made an excellent save. The pressure was building.
Another corner was whacked clear and the RED team found themselved stranded up field. The MStPP midfield broke forward and the RED midfield looked tired. Ollie and Jack did their best but being out numbered meant that the MStPP took the chance to end the contest with an excellent finish from the breaking midfield player. 1-3 MStPP.
Shame. Just as we thought it was going to be 2-2 the RED team found themselves 1-3. Game over. Or was it? Once again the RED team took hold in midfield and swarmed forward. Struan slipped past a couple of defenders and fired in a shot that was well saved. Eyvindur had a tiny chance from the edge of the box that he did well to test the goalkeeper with. Danny had a couple of rockets blocked. Kjartan and Jack spread play brilliantly. Alex battled to win control of the ball and always looked strong in posession. Another bout of RED pressure forced another series of corners. The first was fired dangerously by Danny across the area but missed everyone. The second was floated over and Struan collected the ball on the edge of the box, slipped inside two defenders and fired the ball home. 2-3 St Peter's.
Yahoo!
With only minutes to go the game really stretched as REDs tried to force an equaliser. Ali has two superb saves as the RED team abandoned defence in favour of all out attack. Some outstanding MStPP defending saw shots from Danny, Kjartan, Jack and Struan all being blocked. Alex forced his way through a packed midfield but was denied by a last ditch tackle from that Calllum bloke.
Finally the ref blew for full time as the exhausted RED team tried to mount one final attack. FINAL SCORE 2-3 to the MStPP.
What a game! The signs at half time were that one goal would win it - this was true but you really couldn't imagine that there would have been 5 goals in the second half. It was one of the best games RED team have been involved in with both team contributing to a very entertaining match. Both sets of supporters when home happy with their teams.
Well played to the entire RED squad - Ali, Ollie, Jack, Danny, Alex, Kjartan, Eyvindur and Struan.
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