Season 25 - Division 4 (out of 8)
Start of season thoughts:
This season we aim to finish in the top 3, which should be possible as although White Lions lost all their games, they stayed up due to the virtue of teams dropping out from the divisions above. Anywhere in the top 3 is my goal and a marked improvement in our play, even if we lose all our games. Our secret weapon is back this season, Coley is ready to pull on the official Sharp Shooters jersey.
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Match
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Dates
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Opponent
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Result (SS - Opp)
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| Match 1 |
16/10/2006 |
White Lions |
2 - 0
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| Match 2 |
30/10/2006 |
Samba FC |
0 - 2
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| Match 3 |
06/11/2006 |
One Half Wonders |
0 - 4
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| Match 4 |
13/11/2006 |
White Lions |
0 - 1
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| Match 5 |
20/11/2006 |
Samba FC |
0 - 4
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| Match 6 |
27/11/2006 |
One Half Wonders |
1 - 2
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Match 1
How the match went: This week we played the White Lions again and it was a game of 4 penalties (all the same reason), due to a new rule that came in this week.
The match started well, as we were full of confidence following our 5-0 against them last week.. We were playing fairly well, but unfortunately conceded a penalty to our complete surprise. The reason being is that Dave (gk) drop kicked the ball out (which now isnt allowed), but as werent told no one knew .They missed their penalty, then Dave did it again, doh, but fortunately Dave saved it. We then went down the other end and got our 1st own penalty, which Paul missed, but alas it wasnt out last. A few minutes after that we got our 2nd penalty and Andy slotted it away. This clouded a decent first half for us, which we restricted there chances to very few.
The 2nd half was slightly less eventful and pressed them well. We looked like the better side, but with our dominance we only scored 1 goal, a shot from Paul which the keeper let through his hands.
Overall a good performance, but a game of 4 penalties.
Match 2
How the match went: This week we played Samba FC in a make shift line up as Dave (ill) & Andy (Disney Land Paris) were unavailable.
We started ok with us matching Samba FC, a team that we feared due to there record in the previous season and from word of mouth. During this half we managed to create a couple of decent opportunities which we should have scored, including a clear cut chance from Steve. We went into half time 2 0 down, as we conceded two sloppy but well worked goals.
In the 2nd half we held our own and restricted the damage to just the two. With both teams creating chances it was a surprise that there werent more goals scored.
Overall a disappointing result, because although we lost we werent outplayed. I think it was a fair result, although most of my team disagree with that. Next week One Half Wonders%u2026%u2026.
Match 3
How the match went: This week we played One Half Wonders (OHWs), a team which was an unknown quantity before the game. All we knew was that they finished 2nd in the division below last season.
The match started badly with the OHWs taking the lead after one of there forwards beat me and shot into the bottom corner. From my very good angle I thought this was in the box, but the ref didnt agree and the goal stood. During the early stages of this half we were rang ragged by there two good, quick forwards and they scored another one. At 2-0 down we started to come back with some intricate plays resulting in shots from me, Tom & Paul, but alas no goals again. The icing on the cake of this half was a penalty decision for the back pass rule (Dave to Andy to Dave), which they converted.
The 2nd half we were more solid and only conceded the one goal, this was due to lack of numbers at the back whilst we were searching for a way back into this match. With this approach we let them create chances and have more space, but also created more shots our self, although none clear cut.
Overall a goodish performance and although we were beaten comfortably, we held our own. Next week we play the White Lions and hopefully that should be another 3 points%u2026%u2026.
Match 4
How the match went: This week we played the White Lions in a critical game for our season. We went into it with lots of hope having beaten them the last 3 times and having an aggregate score of 8-0 during this period.
The game started slowly for both teams with an even amount of possession and chances in the first 10 minutes. This didnt last and we conceded a sloppy goal after their counter attack. After this we pressed forward and had the chance to make it 1-1, after the White Lions defender cleared the ball in the area, but Paul missed it (his 2nd in a row).
The 2nd half started brightly wit us pouring forward, but creating no solid opportunities. It got even better after one of the opposition players was sin binned for abusive language, but again we couldnt capitalise.
Overall a poor performance and a deserved defeat. We now need at least a point in the next 2 games to stay up (bearing in mind the only teams we have beat are all White Lions). Relegation could be good for us if it happens.
Match 5
How the match went: This week we played Samba FC in a crunch game, with us needing points from one of our last two games.
The game started badly with us being under pressure and although we didnt concede we didnt look that solid. At 0-0 a crucial decision occurred which we couldnt take advantage of, they got a player sin binned for 5 minutes. This was due to a foul on Spanton (which was a foul), the ref gave it and there player kept moaning until he was sin binned. From this point the match got worse and we conceded a goal whilst they had less players. Once back to their full compliment they passed the ball around us and we conceded another.
The 2nd half started much the same with us defending for our lives and not creating any chances. They managed to score two more goals to make the score line a mauling, although in reality they could have had more.
Overall a game we were completely outplayed in and our 4th straight week not scoring a goal. We need a miracle next week to stay up, but I cant help thinking going down might help us out. Losing week in week out is not much fun.
Match 6
How the match went: This week we played One Half Wonders in a crucial match that could decide our fate for this season.
The match started well with us having an equal share of possession and defending resolutely. We did well for the first 10 minutes and conceded a goal after their attacker won a 50/50 ball against me (we both kicked it at once) and it fell to him. He slotted home an angled shot which Dave had no chance with. For the rest of this half it was fairly even with there tricky players being suppressed by us.
The 2nd half we continued as we left off, defending well and creating a few chances but not nearly enough. We managed to get the break through after about 5 minutes when a loose pass across field fell to Andy and despite a blatant foul on him, managed to equalise. For the rest of this game we were fighting for our status in this division and looked like we could secure the crucial point. Alas we faltered with 3 minutes to go and conceded a crucial goal. Towards the end of this match it got very niggly, due to the tension.
Overall we played well enough with everyone having solid performances and a 1-1 draw would have been a fair result. We didnt create enough chances though, our problem through out the season.
End of season thoughts:
This season we managed to do what I thought was impossible, finish below the White Lions. The season started well with us winning our opening game, but after that it got worse. We played horrendously in the next 4 games, including a loss to the White Lions. Our loss of form and below par performances meant that we had to get a point from our last game to stay up. During this match we handled ourselves well, but lost a goal in the last 3 minutes to lose the match. Although the goal lost in the last 3 minutes meant we were relegated, it was the overall performance during the season. We ended up getting relegated deservedly, hopefully into a division that is more our level.
