Giving the Dragons a 6-1 arse kicking!

It looked like we would have about 7 subs pre match then the curse of the Collins struck, and 5 people pulled out within 1 hour of kickoff. Mikes moaning at Dom convinced him to come and play with a hangover and Humberto, Victor and Simon came injured, but couldn´t run, so Mike Williams was there for a return cameo, and Caj and Dom graced the bench.

Its been a while since this game and i´ve been accused of mismanaging the timing and scorers of previous games so i´ll just keep this one short. James and I were in defence due to injuries and unavailability of Kris and Terry, Walther and La Machina were in CM, and Mike W and Samuel up front. Fritz and Brendan on the right and cedric and Juan on the left. Mike was in goal. We controlled the game from start to finish, scoring freely and easily. Dom got one, la machina 2, samuel 2, and Brendan 1 (if i remember correctly). Their goal was down to Mikes complete lack of work throughout 70minues of football and he just froze to death on an easy catch allowing it to nutmeg him into the goal. Caj came on for 45 minutes and played well down the left getting an assist, and Dom came on for Mike W causing lots of problems up front and scoring.

All in all a good days work, unless your chinese who got all their kit robbed whilst playing. Merry xmas to them indeed.

It means we have 8 points, 1 point off the top half of the table with Metropolitan, flahertys, and west ham still to play. I´m hoping for at least 6 points from those 3 games so lets try to stay less than fat over xmas and see you all in the new year.

Knocked out of the cup AGAIN by the Black horse

Well it was always going to be a tough one playing the unbeaten league leaders, but we were determined to make them fight for it. The game started with us playing strongly and nobody apart from me panicking on the ball. It was pretty obvious that they had 3 or 4 extraordinary players in midfield and up front, but the speed on the left flank was getting the better of Rich pretty regularly. The pitch was very wet after the storm and us heavier people struggled to turn at anything approaching tractor speed. The Black horse scored relatively early on, at about 15-20 minutes in. It was a bit of a shock because there was nothing on for them. Defensively we were doing reasonably well. We were having good posession and keeping the ball for long periods when one of their left wing breaks produced a moment of magic, and a 35 yard peach of a goal that lobbed Magog. Impossible to stop, 1-0.

Did that deter us, it did not, onwards we went and apart from frustratingly playing long ball football up to James to often, we were contending with them. A victor lopez dribble to the touch line, a beautiful cut back, and fritz hammered in his second in 2 weeks. Back in the game!!

Their second came shortly afterwards though. I can´t remember the order, but one of them was a poorly marked header (my fault), and the other was a 4 hit deflection past a stunned Magog. 3-1 and not taking advantage of our possession. We were squandering chances as is our way, and we needed to change things at half time. Richard came off, Fritz dropped back to defence to deal with the speedy winger. Lluis went to right wing and Walther left. Samuel came on for Victor up front. Immediately the changes made a difference. They were not threatening as often, and we were piling forward. The difference was that they expected to win, so the Collins just started to enjoy the football, and it was a joy to behold, a nice through ball, James controlled it, and buried it 3-2.

Their 4th i can´t remember, although i think it was another long range effort that caught us unawares, but we pushed on. Lluis and Samuel were frightening the horses with their pace and fitness, and Cedric was marauding up and down the left wing. The 3rd goal came soon after for the Collins, with cedric, Samuel, and Lluis combining for Lluis to bury goal on his season debut. The Collins then pushed on and on, an only the keeper saved the black horse, 2-3 times. The Doctor came on for Fritz, and then the defining moment happened. A por second yellow card for Humberto who had played so well with Victor in the middle resulted in us being dropped to 10 men. Caj came on up front and James dropped into CB for an injured Terry, but no changes could help then. 2 more quick goals for the Horse sealed it. Closer than they thought, closer than the scoreline suggests. The Collins can hold their heads up high. It was nice to see the WAGS out on the town afterwards too. Man of the Match Cedric, tireless as ever!

Vs Terrassa 5-2 Loss

Guest match report by Mike Roberts

With Richard down south with the sound of the Beach Boys in his ears, in the absence of their mentor, the Collins were left to fend for themselves in his absence. Things didn’t start well, as the squad assembled outside the pub wondering where the kit was and waiting for it to appear out of thin air, while out in Terrassa the day’s opposition had already started their warm-up routine. With matters finally sorted out, it was off to Terrassa, with Mike Roberts muttering away to himself about a decade and a half of calamitous journeys to Terrassa in which we have managed to maintain a proud tradition of clutching defeat from the jaws of victory. Today was to be no exception.

The first half was a joy to behold. Gerard Vilanova of Terrassa’s version of events sent to the official BIFL website speaks of “the Michael Collins scoring two first half goals on the counter attack.” Just what game he was watching is hard to imagine, for by definition, for a team to start a counter attack, the opposition first has to form an attack to counter, and those were conspicuous only by their absence in Terrassa’s first half. We were all over them. Absolutely running rings around them. Solid in defence, with more pace and ideas in midfield, and for the first time in three games, actually making that possession count. Either Victor López scored first and Fritz after, or Fritz first and Victor after, I can’t remember, but whatever, we were 2-0 up within about twenty minutes, and Terrassa had barely managed to string together more than a couple of passes. They did manage to create a few problems as the half wore on, but by half time it was so far so good, and oozing with confidence, the only thoughts the Collins had were of grabbing an early second half goal to settle things, and then to turn their attention to their plans for the evening.

But there were two major factors that had not been taken into account. The first was the sun. It was another matter entirely playing with squinting eyes as the great ball in the sky glared down in your face, and winning high balls was suddenly not the simple affair it had been before the break. The second concern was the Terrassa bench. They had five subs, and good ones at that, while we only had Caj and an injured Simon.

Still, we soldiered on, knowing that on the strength of our first half supremacy, not even those minor concerns were likely to deny us the three points. But then disaster. Just what the Doctor was doing, we cannot be sure, but a lunging tackle to bring down a rival striker who really wasn’t doing any harm whatsoever resulted in the ref having little option but to point at the (non-existent) penalty spot. Following a minute or two deciding where said penalty spot should have really been, Terrassa were off the mark. 2-1.

The goal knocked some of the confidence out of the Collins boys, and at the same time served to buoy up the home side, and the course of the entire game had changed. A high but reasonably saveable strike from outside the area was flunked by goalkeeper Mike Roberts, who muttered some lame excuse about the sun being in his eyes, and it was 2-2, and although he managed to redeem himself with two or three cracking saves (if I can say so myself), the last half hour or so saw the ball almost constantly in the Collins’ half of the pitch, and with the midfield having collapsed, and the defence making all the simple errors they had so brilliantly failed to make in the second half, more goals threatened to come if the Collins didn’t get their act together quickly.

They didn’t. Terrassa’s third saw the ball crossed in and frustratingly managing to bounce of the toe of some guy who was laid out on the floor to go in, the fourth was a one-on-one as one of their players managed to leave our defenders standing. Terrassa were reinvigorated by all those substitutions, the Collins were demoralised and, in laymen’s terms knackered, and by the time it was 5-2 the green and whites were beyond caring any more and yelling at the referee to blow for time and put them out of further misery.

All in all a thoroughly disappointing defeat, for at half time it had all looked so very different, but if any lesson was learned today, it was the importance of having a strong set of players, five if possible, to bring on in the second half – it’s in the last half hour when games are won or lost, as we found out the hard way in Terrassa.

The man of the match award was shared by Walther and Victor ‘guapo’ as Terry has decided to name him (as opposed to Victor ‘máquina’ in midfield). Next week, it’s the Cup first round, a difficult task in high-flying Black Horse, but wouldn’t it be just fecking marvellous to put out a side that is surely already making plans for their second round game against Storesnay. This season, when the Collins click, we’re a match for anyone. Let’s hope there’s plenty of clicking in front of the Wags on Saturday then.

Vs Storesnay 0-0

Not much to say about this game part from the fact that the first half produced about total of 3 shots from both teams. The defences were rarely tested. All our work went up the right wing and both forwards were dragged there meaning there was rarely anybody in the box to score when needed. Cedric was wide open on the left yet it never got that far.

The second half was all collins though, we dominated possession, and really should have scored in the 1st part of the half but it wasn´t to be. Brendan´s sending off for thinking about reacting to blow could have screwed us but it actually galvanized us into motion, and there was a flurry or attacks, post, save, bar, save, save and bloody save. The icing on the cake was from the effervescent Walther who managed to blaze over from 3 yards out with 2 minutes to go. All in all, a clean sheet so point is ok, but the midfield forward understanding needs to improve alot to make any inroads in this league. We really should be winning these.

0-0 vs Torpedo

Not a bad result vs the 2nd division champions on saturday, especially when you take into account the state of the manager pre match. Apart from Terry,and Pat, we were at full strength, so should have been very competetive but Richards 3 hours sleep and hangover did not make for a good defensive cover. Fritz was back to add meat to the challenges at right back. James and the argentinians were late arrivals so Caj started on the right wing, and Humberto started up front.

St Marti is a rotten pitch for football, so it was always likely to be scrappy but the first half was horrible. There was no cohesion in our play, the ball was carelessly given away constantly, and the defense was always busy, although rarely found wanting. The Torpedo strikers were not particularly efficient, but then whenever they got within 20 yards of the goal, one of the back 4 crunched them hard enough to make them wary. Maybe this was what started them whinging, but it became the main aspect of the game. First half they seemed always to have an extra link up man in midfield, and had the better of the play, but we weren't particularly worried about their firepower. 0-0 half time.

James came on for Humberto and Walther for Caj at half time. Mike refused to come on for a flagging Richard as he said his hangover was worse after attending the same wedding. The second half was much better as we kept the ball better. The addition of Walther especially made the midfield a little more tricky, and started causing Torpedo some problems. After the 0 shots on target from the first half, we started creating chances, though mainly they were spurned. Corners and free kicks were coming reglarly and even with 3 players over 6 foot, we could not break the deadlock. Simon came off injured and Juan moved on to the left wing to start causing havoc with the tired Torpedo whingers. The game petered out in the end with nothing much going forward with either team. 0-0 a fair result although disappointing after the last game.

Man of the Match FRITZ, he's back!!

4-1 Win vs Mallorca

When we're good we're very good, and today it all clicked into place. Our first game at the new San Andreu pitch proved to be a great chance for the team to show what they can do. The Mallorca players boasted to our new recruits that they were a first division team and had 9 points so far (albeit against weaker opposition), but i had a good feeling about this one.

The team consisted of Hugo in Goal, JKris and Terry centre halfs, Cedric and Rich as full backs. Juan moved up to left wing, Victor right wing, and the new partnership of Victor "the machine" and Tomasz in central midfield. Up front were James and Pat for his last game for the collins.

We wanted to play the ball on the ground against this team that Victor and I had watched the week before. We realised that their only strength was their ability to hold on to the ball. Our gameplan was to be very aggressive at ball winning, and to keep it simple.



The first half was a blur, with the Collins winning everything in midfield, Victor and Tomasz clicked in a way that i've never seen yet, and dominated the middle of the pitch. Terry and kris were immense at centre back, and there was only 1 threat from my memory throughout the first 45 minutes. Victor broke the deadlock after our forwards had spurned chance after chance, we were having 2-3 shots every five mintes and the vaunted 1st division team looked shaky indeed. It took a moment of magic from Victor on the right wing to kickstart it though. He cut inside and floated a lovely 25 yard lob over the keeper and into the top corner. Inch perfect, and thoroughly deserved, 1-0 collins. A few more poor finishes and we were approaching half time with a lead but one that could be taken from us with a slip. And slip we did, their striker outjumped Kris and was through on goal 1 on 1 with Hugo when Victor from nowhere sprinted 30 yards to nick the ball from his toe just as he was about to shoot. Half time, 1-0. Victor then took a headbut to the face which dropped him like a stone and caused a gash on the lip, but it could not stop him and made him even more determined.

Juan had been lucky to stay on the pitch after a string of rash challenges so he made way for Glendon at half time, and we left it 10 minutes before the Doctor was to replace Rich. Almost immediately Pat broke through the Mallorca defence and slotted cooly for 2-0. Mallorca were on the back foot nowand it was like a turkey shoot. They made multiple substitutions to try to stem the flow, and Doctor cam on for Rich. Unfortunately his first action was to bring down a striker in the box for an unnecessary penalty which they scored, 2-1.

From then on, the midfield mastery proved too much for Mallorca with Victor winning everything that came through the centre, and Cedric marauding up and down the left wing. James got through on goal and scuffed the shot, but fell on the ball. Somehow he kept control of it on the floor and passed it out for Victor coming in from the right to hammer it into the roof of the net, a deserved 3-1.

At this point Mallorca had nothing, the domination was total, and Victor (winger) was a little damaged and came off for Walther to soon earn his new nickname "Hannibal" for telling one of the Mallorca players that he was going to eat his liver......

Simon came on for James and immediately took the mantle of centre forward and started running at the defence. They just couldn't handle the renewed pressure and Pat popped up to put in a 4th.

Caj came on for the last 15 and almost made it 5 from Simon's cross but it was just behind him. Cedric ran the whole length of the pitch twice and almost scored both times, but in the end the game finished 4-1. The Mallorca manager came up to me afterwards and said it should have been 10-0. He said they were rubbish, i say we made them play rubbish. Wonderful to watch, and even better as we videoed it.

Man of the match by a unanimous verdict, Victor the Machine..... 2 weeks in a row for him as MOM and to think i thought he wouldn't be physical enough to play in central midfield.

My apologies to those of you who came to the collins to watch the video and we couldn't get the TV to work, but we had a laugh anyway. Lets try to keep this momentum going and who knows where we'll be in a few games time.....A very happy Gaffer

Saturday 11th vs Manchester 8-1 loss

Under pressure from ex players who love to view our misery (thats you Tim), i am forced to face up to this result in public.

MANCHESTER were always going to be a tough prospect. Easily as good as Dynamo, but with better individual players, Hans etc, we were on the back foot immediately. Kristin and Tom both gave no warning of their non attendance, which meant there was only one CB available, and James had to play in defence, leaving no target man up front. We played 5 across midfield to try to contain Hans and friends, and left poor Victor Lopez up front against 4 defenders.

The first half was a good game, with the Manchester captain coming up to me at half time and saying that we have improved dramatically since last season and that this was exactly what they needed. It was only 2 or 3-0 by that time, although we had sustained periods of possession, and looked threatening at times.

Lets qualify this game early. Manchester are out of our league. They have ex professionals, one who has played for Antwerp. The class shows, and he scored at least 3 goals, one a spectacular overhead kick taken off James´s head, which is no mean feat in itself. They had 5 subs who were as good as our best players, and they are extraordinarily fit.

The second half kicked off with no changes to personnel, and a good feeling that we might get goal. At 60 mins it all started to go wrong. As the midfield tired, people stopped tracking back and the defence were overrun. 5-0, 6-0 and it was all over with 25 minutes to go. It was time for fresh legs and Caj, Janek, and Hektor all came on to try to batten down the hatches. As it was, it made no difference. Victor, bravely soldiering on alone up front earned a penalty which he deserved for his hard work and made it 6-1 but 2 more goals given away through tiredness, lethargy and lack of heart meant it was a rout.

What can you say, its tough to play against these teams, and we should have plyed the best of the league now. Only West Ham, and maybe Metropolitan worry me a little but we should be alot closer to them than the last two games. We have a week off now, and then Mallorca who are nowhere near as free scoring as Mancester or Dynamo. This is the real test for our level. One thing that we ave seen so far is that we can´t afford any passengers. If we have subs, they must be an addition to the side, as good and as fit as the people that they re replacing. The other is that we need to play at the top level for 90 minutes, not 70. In 2 games we have performed well for 65-70 minutes and then collapsed. This has to change!

New 2008-9 season starts with a loss

Well saturday was the start of the new season, and the Collins were drawn in a tough group this time around. Our first game was against the very potent Dynamo, who beat us 8-0 or something last season. A few new faces were here this year, with Victor and Simon starting up front for us, Pat, Cedric, Kris and Glendon across the midfield, and Juan, the Doctor, Terry and Tom in defence. Mike was between the sticks.
The game started better than we could have hoped for and the surface was much better to play on thannSt Marti. The passing was crisp, the players took a while to settle and we had to soak up some early pressure, but in all, we were playing well. There waas a bit of banter between the teams, with Juan the ringleader, but it was all pretty lowkey.
A lack of concentration, a very quick forward and suddenly it was 1-0 Dynamo. Mike was left sprawing in front of the new missus, but there was not much he could do about it. It was not a time to let the heads go down, and although Mike had to make a string a excellent saves, we were still in the game. As Dynamo flooded forward, we started to get some luck with the counterattacking football. Cedric and Juan were linking up well on the left and when Victor dropped back to link up, the ball was moving quite well. Simon had a great opportunity but the goalkeeper saved well, and a couple of speculative 20 yarders from Cedric and Pat were close aswell. Our central midfield of Pat and Kristian started to control things then, and forced the Dynamo attacks out wide.
A corner kick sparked us into life again as Terry floated a Staunton-like corner straight into the goal, and it was 1-1 before half time. We failed to capitalise twice after that but at 45 minutes, we were good for the draw. No changes were needed, we were playing good football.
Second half came and we continued to press forward, squandering a couple of good opportunities, until a strong 20 yard volley from the impressive no.8 from Dynamo beat Mike and started the Dynamo attack. The time was 70 minutes, it was 2-1 vs the 2nd best team in the league, and we were looking good. Dynamo then turned up the gas! They brought on 5 subs with fresh legs and good skill, and our midfield started to be overrun. Victor came on for the Doctor for fresh legs, and Walther moved to CM taking a knackered Simon off and pushing Pat up front.
Taking Pat out of midfield was probably a mistake, as the floodgates opened then. Very soon it was 3-1, then 4-1. We were still creating, but not finishing our chances off. Dynamo were scoring top corner goals every time. Zugi came on for Victor who had cramp and Glendon pushed up front. Some very poor refereeing gave them a penalty for a nonsense handball to make it 5-1 then Terry was enraged after a 3 metre offside call was ignored by the ref to make it 6-1. He seemed more interested in getting his car off the parking outside and scuttled off immediately.
With a scoreline like 6-1 alot of people would be disappointed with that performance, but to be honest, we played for 70 minutes like a good team. With a bit more fitness, a couple of additions in key places, we will definitely improve from last season. Juan was voted Man of the Match, the aptly named "Toro" was everywhere leading from the back. Cedric and Victor both played well in their first game, and Victor deputised well at RB when he came on. Next week Manchester for another stern test, but heads up, i like what i see!

vs Pilote Urbain lost 3-1

I personally went into this game with a good deal of dread after the french rampaged through our team the last time we met. They have improved somewhat since that last humiliation so the thought was a little disturbing. When Carlos did his customary disappearing act and we had no goalkeeper things were looking worse, but on the upside it was a beautiful day and we had 4 subs.

The game started with little change to the team. Ben (a new signing) started at right back and Glendon went to the wing to allow Ian back up front with manuel. Apart from that it was all as usual.

We started strongly and looked like we would hold them firmly but the movement and pace of the french forwards was causing a few scary moments. Our forwards were however seeing alot of the ball, and for a few better passes, or through balls and we might have had a sniff at the other end.

The crunch came from a long range speculative strike from 30 yards out that beat stand in keeper hugo, and hit the postage stamp. Beautiful goal for the French and nothing anyone could have done about it, a deserved 1-0. This however galvanised us, and midfield started pulling a few strings with Tim galloping aroung the centre circle and against instructions, Kristian was up in the penalty area more often than not. The blight of our season though has been poor finishing and it was coming back to haunt us. 2-3 chances went begging that i'm sure the opposition would have put away, and we were left cursing our luck. As the sun beat down, the french got a free kick in a dangerous area, and a beautiful curled shot was headed in by one of their forwards. poor defending but a great goal nonetheless, 2-0 down. Half time came and we weren't that disheartened, more of the same was the order, just lets convert the opportunities.

To get some fresh legs on in the heat, Kristian went back into central defence for Rich, allowing Walther to move into midfield, Fritz came on for the exhausted Ben at right back, and Juan replaced Reuben at left back. None of the changes were needed but everyone was busing to get on, so it was only fair.

The fresh legs told soon after, Ian was moving with some freedom around the opposing half now and juggled the ball at a sprint through the defence to score a great goal, and it was all Collins from that moment on. Thats not to say the french didn't threaten. They hit the bar and a post from long range but we had 70% of the possession, and probably 15 chances to score.

Unfortunately even the introduction of Caj "super boots" Wirman and Zugi couldn't swing victory, and a last minute goal by the french against the run of play showed the reality of the season. Good game though, and on to the friendly on saturday at 6pm at St Marti

Vs Dragon 3-2 win

Well a game of two halves again, the first half disastrous, and the second much better. Dragon started with just 10 men and it looked on paper like we should have whitewashed them but as is always the case with the Michael Collins fc, we didn´t allow it to go to plan. We were playing like it was a foregone conclusion and missed about 10 chances in the first half that would have opened the flood gates for a resounding victory. Defensively we were struggling with the speed of the Dragon front two who were surprisingly good, and once again our midfield wandered.

It came as no surprise when true to my prediction after 15 minutes, Dragon scored. They deserved the goal too, poor marking from throw ins made life easy for them and a cluttered defence allowed them to poach 1-0 from us. this was not going to plan. Luckily for us, Tim and Manuel got over their handbags argument and passed the ball to each other which opened the door for a great Glendon cross and manuel cooly volleyed past the Dragon keeper. even at 1-1 we looked suspect. It was hard to watch from the sidelines but soon dragon scored the second with a wonderful solo run from their nippy no. 9 who went past 4 players from midfield and scored a cracker to put them in the lead again.

Half time couldn´t come quick enough, and changes were made more to shake things up a bit and remove the lethargy that seemed to have infused the team. Rich came on at centre back, moving Kris up into midfield. Andre replaced Hektor at right wing and the doctor came on for Caj. Mike went off to watch the eurovision song contest which shows the quality of our play really.

We started strongly this time and Sebastian scored early to even things up. we were creating lots of opportunities again but the forwards seemed to be drifting into wide roles and there didn´t seem to be anybody in the danger area time and time again. Tom was smashing chinese players all over the pitch and being politically incorrect about the whole thing as usual, and he soon reduced their number by one by breaking one of their forwards ankles. 2 minutes later a petulant slap to the back of Sebastians head and his customary reaction earned two red cards to reduce the numbers more, 9 versus 10.

At this point anything could happen and it duly did. A corner from the left, Glendons despairing reaching header glancing the ball into the path of.....wait for it......Me! and the magnificent centre half buried the winner bringing a tear to the eye of his adoring public.

It still had a few twists as some appalling defending allowed Dragon 2 free kicks outside our penalty area which they should have done better with but hey we won at last, not convincingly, not stylishly (apart from my goal), but 3 points is 3 points, so now we have to prepare for the french in 2 weeks. A sterner test i think!

17th May vs Terrassa lost 5-1

I for one went into this game feeling like we had a good chance against a reasonable but beatable terrassa team. The game had been cancelled the week before due to torrential rain and the replay looked wet too.

The collins lined up with three new argies and a new american keeper, but Tim came back from injury, and we had a few spare players on the bench. At kickoff, Tim felt his ankle wasn´t up to it which was a great blow, so we lined up with Caj and Reuben on the full back berths, James (back from obscurity in the UK) and Kris at centre back, and new keeper Den. Lluis, Sebastian (new argie), Zugi, and Andre in midfield. Glendon and Manuel were up front.

This starting line up should have been strong enough to defend the basic forward play that Terrassa had to offer but over the next 15 minutes the Collins imploded. The structure was fine but everybody seemed to be out of position all of the time. The two full backs were constantly 5 or 6 metres ahead of their markers with one of the centre backs playing them onside. In front of the hapless defence were a non existent midfield who like schoolboys ran around after the ball like headless chickens and gave no cover to the defence. The sum total of this was that every time the Terrassa players got the ball, they could play a long ball to the wings and their players found they were in space with no markers, or they just ran through the middle of the park without challenge and overwhelmed the flimsy line ahead of them with sheer force of numbers.

The first goal started a deluge where time and time again, the full backs were caught out and the wingers roamed with impunity through our penalty area. Den, brave despite the onslaught kept them out 4 times out of 5, but after 30 minutes we were 4-0 down. Richard, screaming at them from the sidelines to keep their shape had to do something, and aj was swapped for the Doctor (argie) at right fullback, and he concentrated his ire on Sebastian who seemed incapable of staying in position, and Reuben who also drifted dangerously. The problems slowed a bit as the structure returned but the damage was done.

Half time could not come soon enough, and a roasting ensued. after alot of arguing and blaming each other, nobody wanted to take responsibility for the poor performance and I was disappoined with the lack of character we showed. If you screw up, admit it, and improve. Don´t blame all of those around you. Its a team, not indiviaduals, and i´m going to have to do some soul searching before the next match. Sebastian was subbed and Richard came on to organise a pathetic defence. Kris was pushed into midfield to offer a defensive shield in front of the centre backs. Jose (argie) came on for Reuben, and we were off.Immediately we could see the change, Den had little to do, and we started to push on. The pressure was telling and the defence was suddenly firm. Terrassa started diving to drag the game out but Lluis burst through and scored to make it 4-1. The game was back on, and we pushed forward again and again, but the Terrassa keeper was having a great game and stopped shot after shot. In the dying moments a speculative 30 yard effort was poorly fumbled by Den who was the first to admit his error (a lonely voice of honesty) to allow them to finish at 5-1.

A tale of 2 halves it was, and the disappointment is that if we´d played like the 2nd half in the 1st, we´d probably have won, but once again we let ourselves down. If we continue with the bad attitude aswell then we´ll lose our hard earned reputation for hard but fair play. Anyway, onwards and upwards...

vs Torpedo lost 3-0

The devastated Collins team was dealt a further cruel blow against the very average Torpedo today. The fact that we started the game with only 11 players really showed what a difference a few weeks can make in this league. Injuries being the main factor in our demise but a couple of holidays and a couple of people leaving meant that until an injured Mike and an injured Andre arrived, we were very thin on the ground.

A debutant south american started in central defence to cover for our injuries, and we started strongly, it was pretty 50 50, and a couple of early chances should have been finished better. The touch was off but things started to improve after 10 minutes until disaster struck. A clumsily misdirected defensive header and and own goal gave torpedo a 1-0 advantage. Kris spent the next hour willing a comeback goal and screaming at our miskicking forwards. Half time came and the Collins were arguing amongst ourselves stupidly. The forwards had spurned a few good chances, but the bickering was a waste of time. We still had alot to offer, but it was not to be. Fritz playing wholeheartedly as ever ran into the metal barrier and was playing like he had broken his arm, so Andre took his place. 5 minutes later, Ian collapsed after a challenge and was carried off the pitch with an egg shaped lump on his foot, so Mike came on for him. 10 minutes after that Kyle was carried off screaming in pain for another hospitalisation. Torpedo scored as we had to bring Fritz back on clutching his arm in pain.

Just to add to our woes, our stroppy south american centre back took off his shirt, threw it on the ground and walked off the pitch. We were playing with 10 men, 3 of whom were injured, so a comeback was unlikely, although it did spark a small revival and the forwards started to create something. Lluis was marauding for a little while but ultimately it wasn't to be. Now we need to find a new set of players for the next game in Terrassa. The league challenge is over, and to cap it all, Magog is leaving, so we have no goalkeeper. A thoroughly bad day at the office!!

5-3 win vs Vueling

Wow are we on a roll. Barceloneta was warm and 18 players turned up for the match. Its amazing what a few points on the board will do. unfortunately this meant that 2 couldn´t play so Rich and Reuben missed out, but with a bench including Ian, Zugi, Andre, Antti, and Jerry, we were looking the strongest we´ve ever been.

Glendon and Manuel started up front, Lluis, Kyle, Tim, and Fritz in the middle, and Caesar, Tom, Kris, and Caj at the back. Mike subbed in goal for the sick Magog.

The game started with the Collins controlling play, we held the ball well, and the wings were working particularly well. A couple of missed early opportunities boded well for the match, when against the run of play, their left winger skipped past Caj and crossed for an unmarked forward to slot home. 1-0 Vueling after 5 minutes. The Collins weren´t perturbed though, and soon we were back on track with some excellent wing play from Caesar and Lluis ending in a goal for manuel. Soon afterwards Tim made it 2-1 with one of his trademark huge deflection goals that embarrass him on the field for their ease. 5 minutes later, Glendon scored and at 3-1 we should have been cruising. We had 80% of possession and controlled the play. The only option they had was a long ball from the centre backs over the top for their fleet footed forward to latch on to. We had flapped a couple of times at these and the service had to be turned off. The move of the game was Mike Roberts handball outside the area which cold have ended in a red card, but luckily the ref was feeling generous, it evened out later with another yellow for their defender though.

At half time, we were looking at a potential 10 goal haul if this continued. The Collins had made 20 odd chances and should have scored more. The changes were Antti for Caj, Ian for Glendon, and Jerry for Fritz. The fresh legs on the right immediately took effect and Jerry was terrorising their left back. Antti had effectively shut off their speed advantage at right back, but a slump in midfield was pushing the Collins back on our heels a little, and a goal came from 5 minutes of pressure from Vueling. 3-2 and one of the centre mids had to make way for Zugi, so Kyle gallantly stepped out. Zugi, much improved from the start of the season stepped up to the plate and a swap of Ian and Tim´s positioning gave a bit more legs to the midfield and immediately we were back on top. It seemed like we were creating chance upon chance. Lluis breaking in from the left at every opportunity, and Tim creating everything from a forward position, we were outnumbering them time and time again, but no goal, posts, crossbars, good goalkeeping and just plain bad luck were keeping the Collins out. Finally the pressure paid off and Manuel slammed home for 4-2 and at this point we took our foot off the pedal again. Jerry went through on goal and pulled up in agony, twisting the old knee injury that had kept him out for such a long time this year. Carried off Andre replaced him and whilst distracted, Vueling sneaked in for a quick counter goal. 4-3, 10 minutes to go and forward we went, Manuel shot and almost scored but a defender dived and handled on the line for a blatant penalty. The pressure built and the goalkeeper saved with a last flailing leg to keep us out. Back and forth we went up and down the pitch but the Collins were having all of the play. Vueling had no more subs and tired legs allowed Tim to slot home for his second with 2 minutes to go. 5-3 was the scoreline but with possession we should have scored 10, 3 points is 3 points though and we are clawing our way up the ranks. Terrassa and Independent drew 3-3 so we climb a place and Storesnay with surely the upset of the day beat the leaders Torpedo, meaning that the Collins are 2 points off the lead with both those above us yet to play us. A last word for Jerry who is so unlucky with these injuries, get well soon mate, and we hope you´re back on your feet for next season!!!!!
Man of the Match - manuel even though he did miss a penalty for his Hattrick, awesome up front!!

2-1 win in a friendly vs Sitges

Friendly vs sitges is a joke in itself, but the performance was a good barometer as to our potential. the main recollection was that our two new argentinian players arrived for their first game in collins colours and what a debut. Manuel was massive up front as a target man, and seemed to be a joy to play alongside. the rolling subs meant that most people only got a 15 minute spell before being dragged off for someone else to get a run out but we kept our shape throughout. A couple of finishes that should have been better meant that we went into half time 1-0 thanks to a piece of sublime control from Manuel and a half volley, but we all knew it should have been at least 3. Magog was winning plaudits more for his brand of wild kung fu goalkeepers than anything else as the sitges forwards were rarely threatening Tom and Dom as centre backs. The full backs were great going forward, Reuben and Caesar in particular earning plaudits from everyone. The referee was very poor but we will get dragged into arguments about poor decisions and when 5 or 6 players surround the ref and the opposing team plays on, the inevitable follows. Nobody at the back, kungfu keeper, penalty!!



At 1-1 we resumed control again, and dominated the second half without scoring. The fresh legs were really showing near the end and within the last minute, the deserved winner on 90 minutes was a shambles but we´ll take it. 3 seconds from the whistle to restart and we had full time. Great game by all, Magog got MOM for pure hilarity, and Doms second leaving game ended in glory. All then went off for lager steak and dancing. Great Day out:

Photos from MHG win

Michael Collins 4, Mu Gung Hwa 3 - Doms Adios

The rampant Collins continues its steady march towards a strong finísh to the season.

This game was always a potential banana skin especially given what happened in la primera vuelta. MGH are tidy enough and well organized especially when pushing forward to catch the forwards offside.

Like any team believing it has the God given right to the 3 points on offer, MC played the first half in a very relaxed fashion. There were an awful lot of offsides due mainly to the forwards – Dom and Glendons lack of checking runs. Supply from the wings was scant ,due mainly to the absence of the Road Runner Luis on the wing.

Sometimes it takes a team a while to find its feet in a game and this is how it looked on Saturday. A good carriage of play resulted in the impressive Tim wrapping his boot round the ball and sending it into the top corner (artistic licence here ;-) No matter, you make your own luck. The King of deflections Deco would have been proud of it.

MGH wasted little time in getting back on terms. Again another deflected shot sent the keeper the wrong way. Even Stevens at the break. One point of interest in the first half was the imperious Mike “the turtle” Roberts heading everything in the air. After about 48 years of playing football he has worked out it doesn’t hurt to head the ball. Well done Mike !

The break allowed big Rich to show his tactical nous by pulling the strings. Rich fell to the bench and pushed Ian up front, Kris to midfield and Dom to centre half. The gaffers changes were quickly justified after a flurry of very good goals. Firstly Zugi reckons he headed Dom millimetre perfect free kick into net. Good goal Zugi. Kris followed up a great ball by Andre by sticking it into the back of the onion bag. Finally after not a few chances Glendon lobbed the keeper or something and his team mates then decided to leave an indentation of him on the pitch to mark both the pitch and the occasion.

Ky came on to replace someone and also give Richs ear a bit of respite.

Then the Collins went to sleep. Dom was pushing to far forward and left Tom who was having a great game and Mike to take care of the Korean forwards. Mike decided his heading career was finished and the Korean snuck a few scrappy goals to give Rich a nervous last few minutes.

This meant 7 points from the last 3 games so there is some momentum finally. A good team performance and plenty of reason for optimism. Selection will be difficult for Rich next time as the midfield performed very well.

Man of the match went to Dom – who recognised this as a farewell gift and says cheers for all the games and good times. Hope to see you all in Valencia.

For me it was a great way to finish a BIFL career. This current MC team is a great bunch of lads who enjoy playing together and also enjoy their social time together. Long may it continue !

vs independent 2-2 match report supplied by Ian

So Michael Collins on an almost unprecedented run of one game winning streak and Independent consistently playing football, this was always going to be a tightly contested contest.
Collins stalwarts Kyle and Lluis were of gallivanting in foreign lands, but we managed to rope in enough players to warm two blue plastic chairs near the white line on the side of the big green thing.
Our opponents fielded Leroy, a bloke who played for us in a seven aside tournament at the start of the season. We were impressed, the feeling wasn´t mutual and he decided to fight for independence.
The game got off to what can only be described as a start with Tom playing some strong african style football and not soon afterwards Magok or however you spell his name played an incisive upfield ball which confused their two centre backs on the bounce, allowing Glendon to sneak in and head the ball over the on-rushing keeper and into the big squarish white thing at the end of the pitch. 1-0.
We sort of sat back on our laurels for a while, Ian missing a good opportunity lobbing the keeper. He did manage to lob the keeper but also the crossbar too.
Our opposition seemed to be making more chances than us and their pressure paid off before the break to equalise in some way or another.
Tim was having a good game in midfield, breaking up their play and creating good openings for us and we felt we were in with a chance. Alas early in the second half their child-like right winger smashed the ball towards the top corner after some tricky approach play to score a peach. Bastard.
We had forty odd minutes to get back into the game and after Fritz moved to our right wing we had a little more penetration due to his usual strong and energetic performances. We pushed our luck in defence, Independent guilty of wasting some good chances after slipping the markers but thanks to some robust play from Dom and Rich we managed to block out the best they had to offer. Leroy (their best player) had moved up to central midfield and posed much more of a threat than the first half but this weakened their back line. Strong running from midfield´s Tim, Antti and Zuhir the ball made it´s way to the right to a speeding Glendon who put in a perfect cross for Ian to head in.
With the clock running down Dom moved up into attack, Ian took to centre midfield and Tom moved back to centre back. In the final minutes a few insults were traded. Fritz impressing us all by calling someone´s mother a whore in Italian, Tom berating a crying dandy and Dom scuffling with the dutch nemesis Leroy, the referee decided to call a halt on proceedings and share out the points.
Not a bad result. it could have gone either way so onwards and acrosswards for the mighty Collins, next we´ll be playing the awful Koreans, let´s see how much of our tattered reputation we can rake back from them. Victory or death!!!

Men of the match Ian and Tim

Vs Red Stars 3-2

Wow oh Wow, we won a game, unbelievable. Whether it was due to Christian in central midfield (who has yet to lose in our colours), or the fact that Lluis had his girlfriend to show off to, i don't know but either way we had moments of wonderful football again, and moments of absolute cack too!!

The game started against the 10 men of Redstars witha very shaky defence. In fact i have no understanding why. We were fit, up for it, and agressive pre match but when it started, we were crap!! the first goal was due to some dodgy defending by Mike, covered by some dodgy defending by Rich. The game was for the taking but we just weren't doing anything with the ball. We were slow to the ball and poor in control of it. It took a great cross by Lluis to Doms head to get us an equaliser, but really until that point we weren't very deserving of it. The highlight was the complaining of Caj about Kyles freekicks. He then took freekick duty and kicked it straight into the ground to the amusement of the opposition and Kyle, who by all accounts was still drunk at this point.

We went into half time with a 1-1 scoreline that flattered us, even if the last 10 minutes had been better. There were recriminations and arguments, oh and substitutions, which weren't complained about as the sun was shining and it was a nice day to lounge about on the sidelines. Carlos soon got the yellow card which i promised would earn him a substitution but in reality it was nice to have him back and he played very well on the right.

Redstars fought straight back and a poor defensive display by Rich earned them a flukey goal which Magog almost saved with a palm against the post. The almost immediate reply where Lluis moved to the right wing and blasted a 20 yard effort into the corner was a welcome relief for the Collins. Ruben and Anti were marauding up and down the wings from full back and causing all sorts of probems, and Rich's achilles finally gave in allowing Andre a game up front and Dom moved into centre back. Ian latched onto a lovely corner to win the game for us late on and realistically we should ahve scored 4 or 5 more but the finishing was woeful. We had to wait until the end of the match to realise that they had had a man sent off in the last 5 minutes. Most of us didn't notice. Red stars played dogged determined football but in the end the subs won us the game with the new energy they added. Either way its 3 points and rock on the Collins!!!!! Man of the Match because his missus was there ....Lluis!!!

Michael Collins vs French (1-4)

This was definately one of the worst performances of the season. The game took place at Vallbona, but the bad pitch is no excuse for the terrible play.

Although we were missing our top scorer Luis and our German tank Tom in defense we turned up with a very decent squad-ready to beat the French with their captain - and former Collins striker- Flo. Andre and Glendon started up front, Ian, Kyle, Fritz and Zugi in midfield, Chris, Rich, Mike and Dom in defense with Caj, and Antti on the bench.

Instead of pushing the other team we started nervous and right from the beginning the French strikers turned up in front of our new goalkeeper Marroq far too often. After 5 minutes the ref gave a foul to the others and showed an indirect freekick. Marroq would let the direct shot on goal pass, still, the ref counted the goal, 0-1. From then on we ran around on the pitch like headless chicken.

We did not find our game, the French won every ball in midfield, our only serious possibility was a nice pass from Ian and Antti to Glendon who scored our only goal being offside, still it counted.

The French marked 3 more from counter attacks, the Collins were useless that bloody night in Vallbona. Although the ref was terrible we must never again lose a game like this. Focus on the next game and keep fighting Collins!!

vs Mallorca 2-5 BIFL Cup

The late setting of the date for this match caused immense trouble for the Collins team, culminating in 6 first choice players missing the match including all of our potential goalscorers, and our goalkeeper. Last minute phone calls, bribes, blackmail and the random return of Glendon from the wilderness, and Alberto from the dentist actally helped us to field an almost full squad, although we did have 5 players that we had never seen playing for us. One look at league positioning, and our problems and you would have been forgiven to have called this as a double figures mauling, but against all the odds, we played out of our skins.

The first 10 minutes were very even with both sides having potshots on goal, and Carlos having potshots at anyone with a red kit on. Within minutes he was carded, 2 minutes later and warned again, and within seconds handballed for a second yellow. 80 minutes to go and down to 10 men...hmmmm.

This was not however immediately problematic. The team was Alberto in goal, Teemo dropping back to left back from midfield for Carlos, Tom and Rich as centre backs and Chris on the right. Kyle held the centre aided by Tim who came back from up front, Fritz had the right wing and Kai the left. Antti was up front alone. Oddly this seemed to settle us and although the Mallorca team pressured, we had the measure of them at the back, midfield held the ball up well, and Antti was very lively up front. I feel that we are starting to play simpler cleaner football, and this gives us alot more time on the ball. Mallorca scored to make it 1-0 after 20 minutes, but very soon after this, some great chasing on the right by Antti, put the very dodgy keeper under pressure and he parried into the path of Tim who made no mistake. 1-1, game on!!

Half time came and we were very much in the game, Kai came off for Andre, and Glendon came on for Antti to give some fresh legs up front. Immediately, Alberto was called upon to make a number of fine saves but the pressure eventually told. Twice the defence was found wanting and it was 3-1 very quickly. At this point, our forward line clicked again, and some very unlucky shots were just wide. The next goal from Mallorca was down to slow legs in defence. 4-1 and we were in danger of a thumping if we didn´t score soon. Glendon popped up immediately with a reply and 4-2 was a more realistic prospect. The Collins dug deep, Alberto saving twice more, and Caj coming in for Fritz to offer some fresh legs on the right. The next 15 minutes were all Collins as the midfield and forwards clicked like we had been missing for large portions of the season. A constant threat, Tim, Glendon, and Kyle marauded through the Mallorca penalty area and came close time after time, but it was not to be. Fresh strikers came on for mallorca and the ragged defence crumbled again, Richard a step too slow and 5-2. Mike came on for the final 10 minutes for Rich and shored up the hole, but a valiant loss, nothing to be ashamed about, and a strong showing from some of the new players.

Man of the Match, Kyle.
Honorable mentions: Tim, Glendon, Tom, and Alberto the octopus.

vs Sitges 2-5 loss

Surprisingly i think this game was a turning point for us. Sitges has always been a bogey side to many of the clubs in this league and have consistently been at the top of the tables year in year out. A depleted squad without Branko and a recognised goalkeeper, and we were looking at a stuffing.

For once, the phonecalls and hassle helped and we had a squad of 15, meaning that we would not get beaten for stamina, and the game began. Mike Roberts went in goal against his wishes as jordi will not be returning to the side. It was immediately obvious that we were going to miss him and a flapped cross enabled Sitges to go 1-0 up very early on. Carlos was having a battle of epic proportions with the entire Sitges team and was very successful in winding them up. Centre backs Rich and Tom were successfully bullying the Centre forwards but the back posts were very weak and it seemed that if the ball went over their heads it would be a goal. 2-0 up and not at all having the majority of the game, the very unlikeable Sitges team started to attack Carlos and were finally getting obvious reactions from him. On a yellow card already it was going to be necessary to sub him at half time to keep 11 on the pitch. Tom seemed to be happily crunching players left and right without any warnings so at least we weren't light at the back.

The small pitch in Sitges wasn't giving our wingers much room to work with and it was almost a surprise when Lluis nipped behind the defence and scored a goal to drag us back into the game. It was very much game on and we pushed forward with Ian and Kyle looking composed in midfield. As ever our shooting was letting us down. Dom and Alberto were not hitting the target, but we were creating alot of chances. Once more the Sitges team broke and a back post ball once more nodded in made it 3-1, soft goal after all the hard work at the other end. They quickly added another which realistically should have been saved, but Doms relentless character assasination of Mike in goal had reduced his confidence to tatters.

Lluis once more provided a retaliatory strike to make it 4-2 and once more the reply from the back post nod in was enough to silence any thoughts of a come back. The game came to a close seemingly very quickly, and although the scoreline looked comfortable, we really could have beaten them.

Lessons learned....

1. Defend the back post with the full backs better. It will inevitably improve with a good run in the side for the same players. 3 goals were scored today due to this.

2. Goalkeepers are absolutely necessary, and we need a replacement for Jordi asap.

3. We need a couple of out and out strikers and we'll be winning these games.

4. 4-5 subs make a huge difference to the game as fesh legs add that something extra to the team.

Honorary mentions:
Antti - ran his heart out up front out of position and almost scored
Jan - very composed at right back as a sub, and could be a good addition
Tom - Der Panzer, relentless with his tackling, agressive with his attitude, deserved Man of the Match

We can look forward to next saturdays cup game with relish. it will be harder that Sitges but we have a couple of strikers to try out, and Branko is back, so heads up, we fought hard and well on saturday. The only way is up.....vive Michael Collins!!!

vs Manchester 9-1 loss

We went into this one hoping that manchester were more hung over and fat after the christmas excesses than we were. It seemed like we would have a large complement of subs at training on Tuesday so we were not unduly worried before the match. Valbonna is always a bitch to play at. Its a big pitch and an awful surface but we were in good spirits as we waited for the players to turn up at the meeting point, only to realise that lucho, Chris, and Mike didn't turn up. We had a couple of new guys who had never played for us before but the subs bench was a lonely place.

Immediately we kicked off with Tom at left back and Caj at right. Dom and Me in centre of defence and a 5 man midfield of Lluis, Kyle, Hugo, Branko, and Fritz, leaving Ian feeding off scraps up front. The worrying scene of 5 subs for the opposition boded badly for us.

The first goal was due to a lazy backpass after 5 minutes, the second a missed header into the sun, and the third, some very good wing play. The one thing you noticed about these guys was that they finished excellently. Jordi made 6 or 7 class saves within 20 minutes, and we were in danger of falling apart. Branko popped up with a 25 yard thunderbolt that moved in the air and dragged us back to 3-1, but the onslaught continued. Their wingers were marauding down the left and right, and with Hans their captain at his inspirational best, it was difficult to cope with them. At 5 or 6-1 by half time, we knew it would be hard work for the next 45 minutes. Our 1 sub came on at left back for Caj who was struggling to keep up with their lighning fast winger. The first 20 minutes of the second half we kept them at bay and a couple of chances came our way but were not buried, but then came their subs. They brought on 5 players wth fresh legs and all were as good as those that they replaced. The game was up when one of their attackers scythed Jordi in the box and dropped him onto his lower back, the scene of a previous injury that kept him out for 6 months. The rest of the game we chased shadows and had a goalkeeper who couldn't move. The final 3 goals were impossible to stop as tired legs gave way to the furious pace of the game. A sound thrashing, lets hope Jordi recovers or our season is in trouble.