Report
With only 8 people being able to attend, we were happy to start the matchday with 7 players on the pitch against Emma 09. As it turned out, we didn’t need more and swept to a resounding 3-0 victory. Malachy opened the scoring after a clever headed pass from Hector found him, and he was able to finish clinically. Our second came from an unfortunate own goal from the opposition, as a shot from Ross shot was saved, only to rebound off a defender into the net. Our third was an excellent goal. Malachy crossed to Clement, who volleyed a shot into the goal. The win was no less than we deserved, and in truth we could have had many more as we missed at least as many great chances.
After getting off to a great start and dominated the game, both with possession, great passing and good chances, our second game against Traktor was largely uneventful. The biggest chance of the game was a counter attack from Traktor, leaving their striker 1-on-1 against James, standing in as goalkeeper. Luckily, the striker’s shot was too central and could be blocked by James’ knee. It finished 0-0.
We went into our third match with confidence and dominated possession. The game had few chances, with Phoenix Wartenberg the only team tomake theirs count. After a long pass, James got in front of his defender. In two minds whether to clear it or control it, he did neither and the ball fell fortuitously to their stroker, who needed only to control and shoot to give them the lead with a shot through Clement’s legs in goal. It finished 0-1, a disappointing scoreline.
Muchas Maracas were our next opponent, and they played solidly and gave us few chances. The ball kept coming back at our defence from the midfield and they were able to score two goals to win 2-0.
Despite the previous two results, we went into the derby against FCKP I knowing that form plays no role in such a match. We went behind after a tricky shot deflected off goalkeeper Jon’s foot and agonisingly into our own net. We contrinued with positive attacking and our good passing paid off as Hector found Eze in space at the rear post in almost an exact repeat of the previous derby in Bunte Liga Matchday #1. This time, Eze’s composed shot came off the post and rebounded to Hector, who made no mistake to finish. The second came after Hector picked the ball up and ran at the goal and finished well. We held on and finished with a satisfying win.
Bolzplatz were up next, but we started with sloppy passing and bad concentration, going three goals behind in the first few minutes as they pressured us well and forced some mistakes in our defence. We came back into game though, passed extremely well and had many good chances. The first came when Malachy was through on goal but placed his shot just wide of the post. Clement was able to score though and Hector got our second with the assist from Jon in what looked like a sure comeback. We ran out of time though as the opponent wasted time collecting the ball from behind the goal, even kicking it onto the other pitch under no pressure to run down the clock.
Vollpfosten were up next and we held a good opponent to a 1-1 draw. Clement scored our goal with the assist coming from Malachy. He picked up a loose ball in the midfield facing away from the goal, yet charged through their defence, played a one two with Malachy and scored a nice goal.
In our final match, we arguably played our best football of the day. With Pablo’s message of “enjoy yourself” fresh in our ears as we took to the pitch, we were able to express ourselves with slick, decisive passing. We probed well with accurate passing to feet and stretched their defence by using the whole pitch well. When we didn’t have the ball, we defended well with good concentration. The only goal of the game came after one of many great passing moves in which almost everyone on the pitch was involved. The final pass came from Hector after he skillfully controlled a bouncing pass and laid it off to Ross in space on the right side. Ross was able to run into space and smashed the ball past the far post and the helpless goalkeeper. Eze also had a good chance, but their goalkeeper did well to limit us to only one goal.
We were proud of our mostly great play. Our passing was probably the best we’ve shown yet and allowed us to create many good chances. Everyone can be proud of their contribution to it. Hector showed good skill in the middle and racked up multiple scalps with his trademark nutmegs. Malachy was also a great target man when playing as striker coming deep to pick up passes, laying the ball off well, and also caused many problems running in behind the opponents defence into space. We finished with 9 goals and placed 4th in the final matchday able, just one point behind FCKP I.
Goals: Clement x3, Hector x3, Malachy, Ross
Assists: Hector x3, Malachy x2, Ross, Ezequiel, Jon
Players: James (c), Brian, Ross, Jon, Clement, Hector, Malachy, Ezequiel
