League leaders SAD Altamira complete double over Regional

Another dismal weekend saw the FC Britanico Regional side beaten into submission by an outstanding Altamira team. Although FCB are currently unable to keep the ball out of their own net, there is very definitely signs that the team is going in the right direction as The Regional boys showed some of its best football of the season and matched the only undefeated team in the league for quality during long periods of the game. This is a glimmer of light within the smothering darkness, but confidence in their ability along with a little more British fighting spirit and aggression can be what turns that initial spark into the torch that leads the men in white of the darkness. ¡FORZA FCB!

 Match report by our reporter for height equality Michael Langan

Taking on league leaders Altamira, FCB regional had a welcome evening kick off, and hoped the change of routine could arrest their recent poor form. Managed by the ever dapper Neil Moran, FCB lined up Hutch, Seba, Allan, Will, Neyo, Dave, Michael, Lee, Tomaz, Nick and Pat. FCB started the game well, but it was abundantly clear that they were up a against a side of real quality, with their midfield movement causing real difficulty. FCB, however, settled well and competed in the opening exchanges. Unfortunately, as has been the case in the previous weeks, we appear always to be capable of an individual lapse and, unfortunately, so it proved and FCB were one nothing down after twenty minutes. Before we could really find rhythm again, a fine curling strike from the edge of the box had FCB two nothing down. By this stage, FCB were becoming a little disjointed and threatening to lapse into disarray, particularly when a moment of defensive hesitancy allowed Altamira to dispossess and unleash a thunderous drive past Hutch. At this moment, Will Boyd, in a rare display of maturity, grouped the lads together and FCB vowed to pick themselves up. To our credit, we did and began to really take the game to the league leaders, gradually driving them back into their own half, and creating dangerous openings. Ten minutes or so before half time, we had our reward, when club captain Tomaz fired a great strike into the top corner to give FCB a well deserved goal and, more importantly, a lifeline. Moments later, it was almost a second when an excellent piece of build up play and cross from Nick Boyle was only just missed by the oncoming Dave Pugh, and FCB went in at half time confident of rescuing something from the game.

 

However, as has been the case in the preceding two weeks, FCB were undone after being sucker punched very early in the second half. At four one, against a side of such quality, the game was in effect over. From this point, FCB continued to match Altamira, but were unable to eradicate the individual errors which have handicapped our season thus far and, after an hour, a fifth was conceded. The game from this point, lost a degree of tempo and structure, with both sides unlucky not to add to their goals total. This was, however, until Altamira found a 6th goal after an excellent piece of skill and curling finish left Hutch with no chance. While 6-1 is a pretty severe beating, it masks somewhat the fact that, for large portions of the game,FCB matched Altamira, although it would perhaps be a stretch to say we were ever truly on top of things save a brief ten minutes prior before half time. From now, we must look to next week, and a home game to stop the rot in this current run. Neil Moran must be beginning to feel a bit of heat under his suave collar, and three points next week are imperative.