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: