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!!