Results
Club | Half-time | Full-time | Result | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Espacio Monsul | 1 | 1 | 1 | Loss |
FC Británico | 2 | 4 | 4 | Win |
Last weekend’s game was one for the archives. It saw FCB make the normally dreaded away journey down to southern Madrid in Getafe, where we were up against the defending league champions, Espacio Monsul (formerly known as Bar La Piscina).
It felt like such a big contest for only the second game of the season and even though there were only3 points up for grabs there was far more at stake. The buzz in the changing rooms was electric, and FCB were more than ready to avenge their recent bad fortune at this ground in previous seasons. Bar La Piscinas team are a team with both experience and quality in spades. However, after a few new additions to the squad in the summer months and great turnouts at training, Mr Majid was left with a selection headache that must have kept him up on Friday evening.
Having too many options has to be a managers dream, and an enviable problem to have. In light of this, Rami got his formation and tactics spot on. Reverting back to a trusted 4-3-3 formation which was soon to pay dividends.
The game started frantically and FCB were ahead within the first 15 seconds, without the hosts having a touch of the ball. A few slick passes lead to Vico playing a wonderful over the top through ball to Lewis, who found himself behind the opposition’s defence instantly and his first touch was arguably better than the finish. It left the onrushing keeper stranded in no man’s land and allowed Lewis to cheekily lob the ball over his head to put the Britanico boys 1-0 to the good. A confidence-boosting goal for the whole team, however, there was still a lot of hard work left to do.
After such a blistering start, it would be normal for both teams to play things a little bit more conservatively, but it was quite the opposite. It was very much end to end and the home team started to grab a foothold of the game. They started flexing their muscles with slick passes and a very talented player No.6 (Lionel Messi without hair) in the centre of midfield who was cutting through the FCB midfield like a knife through butter. However, the FCB defence were relentlessly solid and impenetrable throughout the game.
Against the run of play, a great team goal lead to Ishmael finding Calum on the right-hand side with a clever through ball who unselfishly squared to Big John who made no mistake from 8 Yards to grab his 5th goal in two games. 2-0 and FCB were buoyant and well in control of the game.
Espacio Monsul were restricted to creating half-chances only through set pieces and after a dodgy refereeing decision by the ‘arbitro’. They were given an opportunity which was duly dispatched into the top corner through Javi just before half time to bring themselves back into the contest 2-1 and evenly poised.
After words of inspiration and praise from Rami and Graeme at half time it was clear to see how much the boys wanted the win against their much-rivalled opponents. 2nd half leads have previously been overturned against today’s opposition, but that was never going to happen today. A second-half where the Britanico boys were first to every ball, fighting for one another tirelessly and not giving the home team a single opportunity to draw themselves back into the game. FCB suffered a blow on the hour mark when John went off injured with a niggling knee injury. This allowed FCB veteran Joseph Simmons the opportunity to come on and fill the void. After a few dodgy shouts from Rami about his positional awareness Joe found his place and was vital to helping see the lads over the line.
“The composure and will to win was clear for everyone to see on the sidelines” said Rami and chances were being created at a canter. That next goal was crucial to decide where the points would go and it was us who got it. Lewis turned smartly on the edge of the box and a fierce left-footed shot was well-saved by the keeper only for the majestic Calum Cant (Aka George best) to coolly slot in off the far post to send the boys wild and have the 2 goal cushion they desperately craved. 3-1! The final goal of the game came soon after when a good one-two exchange between Calum and Lewis led to Calum sealing the three points with a naughty little near-post finish. 4-1
With the game wrapped up, Rami brought on the pilot (Briggerz) for the exhausted Lewis in the hope that he could solidify the midfield and guide us home smoothly like he has expertly done on the runway many times before.
A lot of pride can be taken from today’s game and throughout a hopeful, prosperous and trophy filled season for the squad.
Man of the Match: Lewis Jones
Goal of the Match: Calum Cant