The reigning Bunwer league champions Installaciones, a right good side as Lee Fletcher would rightly point out, lay in wait for FCB in one of the toughest fixtures in the calendar. Despite Rami’s best attempts to leave a few key lads behind at Plaza Eliptica, the team set off on their long journey to Getafe at the allotted time of 8.20. Arriving a full 15 minutes before kick-off, Britanico were buoyed by the conditions which resembled an overcast day in the UK.
After some impressive performances in the opening games of the season, there was yet more competition for places as some familiar faces returned. Much to Rob’s relief, Fletch named the team, he and Rami opting for a 4-3-3 formation with Rob The Gob, Silky, Sean, Mike Ojo, Nick, Alex, Chris, Kos, Olivier, IsmAEl and Stuart in the starting line-up, with 7 subs hoping to make an impression.
Lone striker Ismael consistently pressed high looking for the ball early on, and when FCB managed to get men forward the champions’ defence did not look comfortable. After a few speculative long range efforts from the gallant Nicolas, Olivier engineered a good opportunity but flicked the ball narrowly wide. Unfortunately the first blow was for Installaciones, as a defensive mix-up allowed the impressive centre forward to run in and slide the ball past Rob.
Alex and Chris were doing an admirable job of maintaining possession in the middle of the park and Sean was marshalling the defence well, which allowed FCB to get back into the game. Rob’s presence also helped to settle the team, as he likes to make himself heard and talk his back four through the game. As the boys headed in at the break 1-0 down, there was a confidence that they could get back into it.
Unfortunately Installaciones hit an early goal from the edge of the area. At this point, the game increasingly became a showcase for poor sportsmanship as is regrettably often the case in this league. While the majority of the players wanted to carry on playing football, a select number of the opposition were more inclined to ‘see out’ the win by wasting time and trying to noise up FCB. Much to Chris’s bewilderment, the referee started to hand out cards for well timed tackles. Mercurial presence and apparent insomniac George Gomm was the first sub Rami made, and he had an instant impact spreading the ball wide to Ismael who crossed early, Alex eventually guided the ball into the corner.
At 2-1 with over half an hour remaining, FCB looked likely to gain something from the game. Ally replaced Mike Ojo and Stuart made way for the second of two Chris’s. Ali’s first touch of the ball was to make a well timed tackle, however the Installaciones number 7 reacted badly, as many continental players do, and lashed out. As the game carried on, Rob had found himself surrounded by 3 players who had taken umbrage to Ali’s ability to not get drawn into a handbag fight. Taking a back seat and watching the drama unfold, the referee was of the opinion that Rob’s colourful language, in Spanish no less, had no place on the football park and sent him off. The referee was so shocked and appalled by manager Rami’s protests that he sent him off also, in what is another chequered moment for the hot-headed manager. With Rob still making himself heard from the side of the park, and Rami unsettlingly peering through the fence, it all started to unravel for FCB.
The impressive Installaciones number 21 combined well with his wide men to score a quick hat trick of goals which fully exposed FCB’s 10 men. Despite commendable efforts from all on the park, subs Jesus, Zayd and Chaz and particularly Fletch who manned up to be in goals, the extra man showed and FCB were left to rue a few missed opportunities in the first half as the final score showed 5-1. As all and sundry had noted, the referee possibly did not like the FCB players due to their committed style, or maybe he just had an agenda from the offset, however the lads will have to learn from this and look to adapt better next week at home to Torrepista.
Congratulations to Sean for a MOTM performance in the centre of defence.
