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.