Navidul 0 – 5 FC Britanico

After the 5-5 draw at home last week to Liga Bunwer’s resident hatchet men, La Taberna de Pastor, FC Britanico made the trip south to face Navidul with renewed vigour and hunger to grab 3 points. Again, the 8am Plaza Eliptica meeting point proved its worth, and although the Scottish contingent arrived, admirably, 5 minutes early, the FCB faithful still had to make a hasty exit at half past the hour..allowing for only minimal warm-up time. Regardless, the team were boosted by the return of Rob in goals, Sean, the recent graduate Christopher Parker, and a string of other handsome Britanico men.

At the ground, the starting team lined up: Rob; Richard Kilroy Silk, Alessandro, Sean, Zayd; Nicolas, Chris Parker, Alexi Hyner, Emeka; Olivier the Maverick and Dave Hughes.

The plush Britanico bench featured: Chaz ‘Carlito’ Boy-le, Amar, Lil Chris Stradd, Barry ‘Bryan’ Watson, Pablo, Mike Ojo, Ben and Stuie + colourful onlooker Zack – sponsored by Skittles.

The game kicked off a little past 9am, and after a night of rainfall the pitch was fast and slick. This allowed for some quick passing and movement, and Dave was released on goal almost instantaneously before harshly being adjudged offside. Next, FCB patience and possession paid off as the ball was kept neatly by Chris, Alex and Nicolas as Emeka was given the time to control, swivel on the ball, and slash a shot into the bottom corner to put the handsome Brits 1-0 up.  Thereafter, Navidul managed to retain the ball with composure, and put some passes together competently and efficiently. Their play was nearly rewarded as a free kick from 25yards crashed off Rob’s crossbar, only to go behind for a freekick. This was a warning for FCB yet they responded almost immediately through their maverick cheshire maestro, Olivier, as he chased a ball down, played a one-two with Emeka and followed his partner’s earlier finish with a similar one past the flailing goalkeeper. It was 2-0, and the game was effectively put to bed when Navidul had a man sent off 25 minutes in, perhaps unfairly, for reacting aggressively to an Emeka tackle. The ball was then played up to Olivier from the resultant FCB clearance, and after easily dispossessing a centre-half to square Nicolas in on goal, the Scottish wide-man coolly putting the ball into the net for his 2nd of the season (and 23rd assist). The rest of the half was played out with little events to note, the positives for FCB being that there was confidence across the whole team, and possession was being retained well. The penetration however was perhaps lacking in the final third though, and this was mentioned upon by the resident FCB tactician Lee Fletcher. Regardless, it was 3-0 at half time and the message was to continue as we were, and to put the game to bed as quickly as possible.

FCB were buoyed by the sideline appearances and support of club legends, Nick Hyner, Stu Gibb, and Diego…adding to the 19-strong squad that had been assembled by Rami on this sunny yet damp Saturday morning. As a consequence of the size of squad, Sean and Emeka made way for Pablo, and Ben in two straight swaps. It was time then for Nicolas to pop up with his 3rd of the season, as he converted a smooth left-side move across the face of the Navidul goalkeeper into the far bottom corner. After an exquisite finish like that, Navidul couldn’t respond, and were snuffed out time after time by the FCB defence. Silky cut out 3 continuous attempted through-balls, and after the third he released Ben down the right hand-side, and but for a poor offside decision, Britanicos would have found themselves 5-0 up. Alessandro, Alex, and Silky then all made way for Ojo, Chris Straddling, and Amar respectively. With 20 minutes left, the dominant Chris Parker jinked by his opposition man to play his tocaya, Mr Straddling, through on goal for a cool rounded finish. It was a well deserved goal for a tidy footballer who not 5 minutes previously was unlucky not to open his account for the season: shooting over from 18yards. As was typical of the game, the last minutes were played out uneventfully although Barry Watson made his debut with a late cameo. Five goals with no response was a very fair scoreline, and after the referee, who had a generally good game by Bunwer standards, blowed the whistle, Rami could finally rest easily.

Although some members of the squad didn’t make it on to the pitch, their support and presence is always influential and key to the team morale. Hopefully another 3 points next week will see the lads climb the table yet again, and the messages relayed at training will continue to resonate throughout the dressing room. Corners were dispatched with easily and calmly, putting into practice Fletch’s brutal tactical dictatorship, and across the pitch the ball was generally kept with composure and patience.

So until next week, enjoy Wednesday’s festivities lads, and lets move on to secure another 3 points against C. Mahou on Saturday.

MOM: Olivier the Maverick

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