FCB Reg. 1-4 Almudena

Image15/01/2012 – La Elipa

FCB Regional went down 1-4 at home against ALMUDENA “B” despite another strong performance. A goal from Yoichi Tanaka and several great saves, including a penalty, from MOTM Matt Hutchinson, were not enough to prevent Neil Moran’s Britanicos from losing their first match of 2012.

A sobering match report from Mikey Langan

Looking for three straight wins, FCB Regional hosted ALMUDENA “B” at LaElipa with confidence riding high. With an absent Neil, Phil was left in charge, ably assisted by Nick Boyle. Despite their undoubted credentials, neither sought to tamper with the side any more than strictly necessary. FCB lined up Hutch, Seba, Fernando, Will, Nestor, Stevie, Lee, Yoichi, Pugh, Michael and Pat alone up front. 

FCB started well, holding their own against a side comfortably seated in the top half of the table. However, a dangerous left midfielder was giving FCB for concern and, rightly so. After 20 minutes, he delivered an excellent cross, which was decisiviely headed by Hutch to give the visitors a lead. FCB regrouped, but wree caught cold aagain by a through ball, and the opposition striker was always favourite to beat an oncoming Hutch and leave FCB with a mountain to climb. Undeterred, FCB regained composure and, after good work from Pat, Michael got the ball into the mix, only for Dave Pugh’s typical instinctive strike to be saved. Thankfully, Yoichi was on hand and put FCB firmly back in contention.
At half time, Phil got the lads in, and demanded an extra gear be found, an extra gear which would see FCB taking something from the game. Although the second half was began with a high tempo from the home side, there was a vulnerability about the side and, on the hour marked, FCB shot themselves in the foot again. Failing to deal with an inswingng corner, the ball was allowed to drop in the six yard area, and was fired past a stranded Hutch to restore the two goal deficit. Bobby Wang next went close with an incredible header, but the goalkeeper deserves immense credit for somehow managing to thwart FCB’s Gulliver. However, minutes later, Stevie Mac was harshly adjudged to have felled an opposition player in the box, but FCB were indebted to the excellent Hutch who produced a fine stop to keep FCB’s slender hopes alive.
While FCB continued to press, in truth, we ran out fo steam. With time running down, we never really looked capable of reducing the deficit and preserving our excellent home run. FCB’s disappointing day was ended minutes from full time when, after confusion in the back line, a fourth goal was conceded, and the score line was given a somewhat undeserved gloss. On the back of a disappointing draw for the Bunwer side on the Saturday, this is a week best forgot about for FCB. Worryingly for the regional side, however, they have Nick Boyle to be introduced to the squad :hidesnehindthecouch:
MOTM goes to Matt Hutchinson.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.