Goals: N’Gola, Sulemajni
El Classico part 2, and the sun was out, so much so that the racecourse had turned from swamp to something that resembled a pitch. This was bad news for the 6’s as the sun had been our nemesis the previous week.
Since our last inter-club stalemate the 6’s had been riding high in the table, while the 7’s form made Man united look like title contenders. However in recent weeks we have been having a mid season wobble and the 7’s pre-match banter suggested they felt they were in with a decent chance. Piner sent us out in our new 3-5-2 formation, or more accurately 3-1-4-1-1.
The game started at a fast pace, with the 7’s using the slope to their advantage and getting in behind our defence only to waste some half chances. We were up against it and struggling to keep the ball. But after a couple of good saves from Farad (and plenty of shouting) the 6’s fashioned a decent move, a switch to the right wing and some quick passing between Banny and Nick resulting in a cut back to the on-rushing Ditmar who curled expertly past the keeper into the top left. Against the run of play we were 1-0 up. For the remainder of the first half we weathered the storm (and the hill), Pollard in particular putting in some crucial challenges in his unfamiliar holding midfield role. The 6s went in ahead.
The second half began and the 6’s started to come alive with Scants and Crofty breaking up the 7s rhythm in the middle and Wayne and Robin working hard out wide in the wingback role. Just when it seemed we were on top the 7s got a break, with Farad spilling a difficult ball into the box and they slotted home, 1-1, game on. The 6s came straight back and pressed hard for the victory.
Just when it looked like it was going to be one of those days a Ditmar chipped ball down the middle was met by Banny, who jumped ahead of the defender and his header looped over Andy in the 7s goal, cue a trademark OTT celebration and the 6’s were 2-1 up. The last 10 minutes became somewhat frantic with chances at both ends. Finally some good work down the left presented Crofty with a chance to put the tie to bed, he couldn’t miss from 2 yards out…but somehow he contrived to sky it over the bar. Fortunately it wasn’t decisive as Oli, Mike and Sam shut out any further chances and the 6s could savour their hard won victory.
OP
MOM, sponsored by Captain Marvel: Ditmir had a stormer, Mike Pollard excelled in midfield, but Banny gets it for being an absolute handful up front.
