Round 5: OBGSC 1 v 3 MPFC – Dendy Park, 7 May 2011

 

After 4 straight wins to open the new season in a new league, Middle Park (MPFC) travelled to Brighton for their stiffest test of the season so far against Old Brighton Grammarians Soccer Club (OBGSC), who were relegated from Provy 2 the previous season.

 

In a novel approach to pre-game, Stevo brought his ipod and speakers into the changing rooms to lighten the atmosphere and preceded to ‘delight’ everyone with his eclectic mix of tunes… the Communards ‘Don’t leave me this way’ (think that was his favourite), Magnum PI theme tune, The Littlest Hobo theme tune (???????), some Neil Diamond, some Whitesnake, some stuff from the ‘90s (possibly Notorious BIG  or Tupac), may also have been some recent stuff  thrown in there as well. So, something to suit everyone’s taste.

 

Anyway, to the game. First half was a pretty cagey affair. MPFC would string a few passes together but it would generally fall down before a chance was created. Can’t remember a worthwhile shot/header on target to trouble the OBGSC keeper.

 

OBGSC didn’t create much themselves, but got some joy from the longish throw ins from their left back and flick-ons from their tall centre forward to the wee Asian bloke playing on the their left wing.

 

About halfway through the first half, from one such throw in, OBGSC won a corner on their left. The corner was partially cleared by the MPFC rearguard but the ball dropped to the wee Asian bloke about 25 yards out from goal. The ball sat up nicely for him to hit a perfect dipping shot into the top left hand corner of the goal.  Not even a good goalie would have saved that one! 1-0 OBGSC

 

For the rest of the half, MPFC continued to be slack with their passing and OBGSC seemed comfortable with their lead. Stevo was getting plenty of stick from the OBGSC support on the sidelines and he probably got ‘sucked in’ and flew into a few tackles…something he’s not noted for (sort of Paul Scholes-esque). He got booked for a late, late tackle and still looked to fly into tackles…one mistimed tackle away from an early shower. Was his new pre match routine having a detrimental effect on his play?

 

Half time 1-0 OBGSC

 

A new experience for MPFC this year, being behind a half time. How would the team react in the second half?

 

Miles came on for George at the start of he second half. From the whistle, MPFC seemed hungrier than the first half, closing down OBGSC when they had the ball and creating chances when we had the ball.

 

The equaliser came after about 10 minutes play in the second half. A lofted ball into the penalty box from the right and home keeper and Miles contested the high ball. The ball spilled to Nath who swivelled and placed a shot in the far corner from about 10 yards out. 1-1 and MPFC back in the game.

 

MPFC were having the majority of the game. Miles came close on a couple of occasions and Mickey should have done better with a free header from 6 yards out, but OBGSC were also creating chances. Some slackness in the middle of the box allowed the centre forward to get a shot on target from about 8 yards, but Matt ©’s old man in goal managed to stick out a foot to send the ball spiralling over the bar. A crucial (and lucky) save. That may have been the game changer.

 

Five minutes later, MPFC hit the front. Not sure of the build up, but probably involved Matt ©, Nath, Stevo, Kev, Miles, (and maybe even Wayno, Ally, Nani, and Lofty at some point). The ball dropped to Mickey 12 yards out and he planted a firm shot in off the near post. His first goal of the season and a weight off the veteran’s mind, having been the only midfielder not to score so far. 2-1 MPFC

 

MPFC were creating more chances but couldn’t find the decisive 3rd goal. Being a goal down, OBGSC were pushing more men forward in search of an equaliser. Indeed, Nani had to head clear a shot that was destined for the top corner. Matt ©’s old man wasn’t getting there. The game was still in the balance.

 

With 10 minutes left, the killer 3rd goal started when Lofty won a header on the half way line. The ball was fed through the midfield out to the right where Stevo got the better of the OBGSC left back, powered forward and lashed home an angled drive to finish the game. 3-1 MPFC

 

The rest of the game was played out comfortably.

 

The abiding memory of the second half was Lofty copping an absolute earful for the entire 45 minutes from the OBGSC supporters on the sideline. That man has a thick skin. When Gav came on for Stevo with 5 minutes to go, the OBGSC supporters couldn’t believe Lofty was staying on the pitch and questioned whether he was a ‘special friend’ of the coach.

 

Full time 3-1 MPFC

 

After the game, Stevo did his, now customary, post shower victory dance. Can’t really divulge what this entails but it was directed at Ally ‘Jimmy Somerville’ Cook, who Stevo has taken a keen interest in recently.

 

Overall, a great result after a difficult first half.

Team:

B. Donlevy; W. Helena, M. Loftus, N. Mullen, A. Cook; K. Hogan,

M. Donlevy ©, M. Furness; C. Stevenson, N. Meade, G. McKenna.

 

Used subs:

M. Tidd (for G McKenna), G. Cremming (for C. Stevenson)

 

Goals:

Wee Asian bloke (OBGSC)

Wee English bloke (MPFC)

Pasty faced English bloke (MPFC)

Northern English bloke (MPFC)