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Nick Rigden
Unicorn Platinum Reporter
United Kingdom
55 Posts |
 Posted - 17/02/2008 : 21:27:37
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With regular reporter Rob absent, believed to be scouting for players in Italy, it falls to me to write the match report.
Unfortunately Rob’s was one of several absences this afternoon – as kick-off approached we found ourselves without a referee, whistle and correctly sized ball.
It was agreed that a parent from each side would referee a half each, and yours truly was found to be the least reluctant (of a very reluctant bunch it must be said) of the Metros parents and was duly pressed into action for the first half. We’ll gloss over the confusion surrounding the availability of a ball & whistle, which lead to my forgetting that the toss hadn’t actually taken place( ), and the restart of the match following the decision that the first ball was too hard, and move swiftly on to the action.
For once the Metros started the match with real purpose, with the midfield really competing for every ball. As a result, the Metros were able to enjoy much more possession than they have had for most of the matches this season, with Eddie, Kenny and Harry all enjoying being provided with service that enabled them to run at goal. Eventually a ball played by Eddie (lying on the ground?) found its way to Harry on the left, whose shot could only be parried into the net by the Deans keeper (1 – 0). 
The defence and midfield were doing a great job of snuffing out most of the Deans threat, with debutant keeper, Tom M showing himself to a more than competent replacement for regular keeper Luke, particularly in his decision making regarding when to come out to collect the ball (although Calum will have a bruise in the morning from the occasion Tom also collected him). 
Another through ball from the midfield, found Kenny in space and he quickly made progress into the Deans penalty area, before unselfishly squaring to Harry to tap in from close range (2 – 0).
So far Deans had not really been allowed to show any real attacking intent, but as the clock ticked towards the close of the half, a ball over the top lead to some confusion in the defence, allowing a Deans player to muscle his way through towards goal, with the resulting shot squeezing past Tom and into the net (2 – 1). 
At half-time, the players listened carefully to Chris’ instructions about not letting Deans back into the match, and then went out on to the pitch and did exactly that, with too many players standing off and allowing Deans too much time and space on the ball. After a spell of pressure, the inevitable equaliser arrived to dampen the spirits of the Metros support. 
Chris reorganised things and once more a degree of order returned to the Metros play with the forwards starting to benefit from improved service. Finally one of several through balls from midfield enabled Eddie to escape his marker. Although the Deans keeper came out to close him down, Eddie kept his cool for an exquisite finish into the far corner (3 – 2).
Dean’s roused themselves to try and get back into the match, but following a Metros corner (or was it a throw, I forget), the ball fell to Eddie in the box, and he turned and drove firmly into the net to seal the win. (4 – 2). 
There was still time however (although only due to some bizarre timekeeping by the 2nd half ref) for Deans to score from a penalty to give the Metros a scare, and make for a few nervous moments as the seconds ticked down. I have to confess I missed the penalty incident, and assumed the ref had finally seen fit to blow for full time, but Calum informs me he was the offender as the ball hit what he insists was the back of his shoulder (why were you turning your back Cal?  ).
So, to summarise, this was a fantastic performance, with all the players playing their part. The players just need to make sure they play like this for the remainder of the season and work on maintaining a consistent level of effort throughout the whole of a match.
Champagne Moment: Both of Eddie’s goals were well taken, but the calm finish for his first wins it for me.
Man of the Match: – Good performances from goal scorers Eddie & Harry, and several others in defence and midfield, but for me Tom wins it for an excellent performance between the posts. It’s good to know we have such a reliable stand-in when Luke is absent. Who knows, we may even get to see Luke playing up front again this season!
Parent's Man of the Match: Any thoughts?. The players seemed to agree with me regarding Tom.
Referees: 5/10 – mostly for standing in at short notice. I probably let too many challenges go unpunished (for both sides to be fair), and I don’t know where all those minutes appeared from in the second half. But it's a thankless task 
Team homework: Just more of the same in the next match, but without the 2nd half dip.
Squad: Tom M, Jonathon, Hash, Calum, Matty, Joe, Patrick, Ben F, Kenny, Harry, Eddie, Josh, Tom F, Ben W.
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Nick Rigden
Unicorn Platinum Reporter
United Kingdom
55 Posts |
Posted - 17/02/2008 : 21:33:11
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Forgot to add: Rob has texted me to pass on congratulations to all the team from himself, Luke and Bernadette.
"A perfect start to our holiday" were his exact words.
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Matt
Unicorn Bronze Reporter
United Kingdom
6 Posts |
Posted - 18/02/2008 : 14:18:03
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| Hi everyone i thought we played great and i just wanted to say Tom played really well in nets. Josh had a great match as well as Haz and Eddie who scored the goals. |
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Rob Smallwood
Unicorn Platinum Reporter
United Kingdom
150 Posts |
Posted - 22/02/2008 : 17:28:44
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Ciao Metros! Back from Rome where we've been scouting for strikers, but frankly Van Nistelrooy and totti would struggle to get in to the team on that performance so we've come back empty handed - in contrast to you lot.
Fantastic result, and a great foundation for spring.
Chuffed to mintballs as they say.
Anyone got details for Sunday (assuming we're needed!)?
Rob |
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Nick Rigden
Unicorn Platinum Reporter
United Kingdom
55 Posts |
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Metros 4 - 3 Dean Sports Tigers Sun 17th Feb 2008
Posted - 22/02/2008 : 18:57:25