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!