Fortress Nekker stays unbeaten!!

By Thomas Horspool

Pre-Match:

Not knowing that England were to win 3-0 against Estonia, the Rugby team were to qualify for they 3rd world cup final against the French of all teams and even Scotland keeping they hopes of qualification to the Euro Championships ahead of Italy and France with a win. British Utd 1st had the daunting task of starting it all by getting a win against New Arquois.

And it wasn't going to be easy; we were missing key men like Lee, Kieran, Marek (aka Nedved) and our top scores Miguel and Kenny. But we had comfort in knowing that we were unbeaten at Nekker this season and managed to get our first away win last week under difficult circumstances. So for those reason and probably others as well; our Captain, Scott "the Special One" Allen, opted to revert back to a 4-4-2 formation.

First-Half:

Having to play on an unfamiliar pitch because of some event, BUFC I didn't begin very well but New Arquois didn't either; our new look defence were having trouble getting used to each other but were dealing with everything with some good display from Karl and Dean in the centre and BUFC were controlling the game. For about 10 min nothing really happened until N.A. kicked a long ball down our right, one of the strikers got onto it and whipped a dangerous ball in and with 3 defenders round him the other striker coolly headed home with ease. It was the start we didn't needed!! 0-1

But BUFC accepted the goal a just kept on playing the way we do and soon after got what they deserved. Gonzo won a throw in near the corner flag and from the resulting throw, Antonio headed on towards the six yard box, N.A. central defender couldn't deal with it and only managed to half clear it to the penalty spot where Yuri was lurking. The ball fell nicely onto Yuri's left foot and he volley past three players and goalkeeper into the bottom left hand corner!! 1-1

A good Goal and soon after it was 2-1; Again it came down our right flank with some good play from Gonzo and Alex. They managed to get he ball to the by line and Alex whipped in a good cross over the helpless GK to find Yuri who just guided his header in an empty net!! 2-1

For the rest of the half, BUFC had to defend and did so very well with again Dean holding our back four in shape and control but N.A. were getting some luck in midfield and giving Antonio and Scott to much to do having 3 on 2 every time in the centre of the park.

Second-Half:

The second half was very scrappy, nobody had control of the game but BUFC had some very good chances to finish the game off. Scott was given a threw ball and when one on one with the keeper, he couldn't decide what to do, Antonio managed to get in from off goal but took to much time and a defender tackled him just as he was about to put it past the on coming keeper and Thomas probably had the best of the chances, After some great play from Alex down the left, he cross to the right, Antonio left it to Thomas who coolly skinned the goalkeeper and placed his shot at the near post but a N.A. defender somehow cleared it off the line to keep his side in the game.

BUFC started to get very sloppy and with N.A. deciding to put four men up front, we nearly threw it away but for some last ditch defending from Karl and Dean, N.A. could have had a goal or 2. It fell to James to really save us; a rare mistake from our tight defence gave N.A. 's striker a one on one with Dave and he shot past him but the shot didn't have much power and James clear off the line. From the resulting corner, the ball went straight to the near post/goal and Dave had to save it off the line and not for the first time N.A. took that opportunity to hurt one of our players by giving an elbow to Dave's chest.

BUFC I kept it tight and got the win but it wasn't beautiful. We didn't deserve to lose but N.A. could have got something out of it. A fair assessment would be that we didn't play well but got the result to keep our unbeaten record at home and end up 3rd in the league 4pts of the top. Playing the bottom of the league next week, we should keep this run going but we need to play better.

Final: 2-1

MoM: Some good performances from Alex (3rd) and Yuri (2dn) but it went to Karl Telfer
Spot the Ball: Usually I would say Stanni but he wasn't there so Dean
Ref: Was good and didn't get influence by New Arq. Idiots.
Supporters: I counted 7 + about 10 N.A. fans (not including kids playing on the side)