British United Football Club

Check the Matchsheet!

Elan Evere   1  v  5  BUFC 1st  Vets

Saturday 28^th January 2012

The word in the dressing room was: “Check the admin .. and then check it again”. The last time we played this team, our spirited 2-2 draw was oveturned by an erroneous forfeit when ABSSA claimed it had not received the pink match sheet. And two years ago, we hammered them at their pitch in artic conditions, only for the opposition to moan to ABSSA  about an ID card, after having agreed before the match to accept it. Again 0-5 forfeit.

So this time, everything had to be done properly, and this included el capitano’s team talk to ‘go at the opposition from the start’.

With more than a passing resemblance to Mr McGoo, the ref was so old he could hardly walk the length of the path from the dressing room to the pitch. Clearly this was an official whose physical shortcomings were made up for by his vast experience and his eagle eyes. (indeed he did not disappoint)

The team lined up as follows, with a bold 4-5-1 formation:

                                                       Xenogiannis

                       Ljung            Davies       Mulholland             Martiniello

         Castiglioni            Brookes           Larsen             Egerton          Lindsay

                                                            Cain    

sub: Lees

From the off BUFC took the match by the scruff of the neck.

Elan Evere tried to get into their passing game by moving the ball out from the back, but they were met by solid resistance from the wall of the 5-man BUFC midfield. United worked both flanks to great advantage, and within 5 minutes a smart pass across goal by Castiglioni was met on the 6-yard line with  a cool dispatch by Brookes. 1-0.

           As Cain dragged the defenders around upfront, the midfield continued to probe weaknesses. The full backs Martiniello and Ljung were much in evidence, pushing forward at every opportunity. Within 10 minutes, after another a crisp passing move, Lindsay finished with aplomb from the edge of the box. 2-0.

          With Elan Evere barely able to mount an attack, United continued to control the game, and good hassling in the opposition area created a mix-up; Cain was quick to pounce to make it 3-0 – after 15 minutes!

          Shortly after, a powerful drive from Larsen rebounded off the post to Cain, who skied the rebound over the bar. From this point through to half time the game settled, BUFC took their foot off the gas, and the defence coped easily with opposition forays. Davies intercepted everything down the centre and Mulholland mopped up at the back.

Half time. El capitano called for the team to pick it up again from the restart.

Elan Evere actually started the second half much better, and played the ball around in midfield, with a good showing from a couple of their playmakers. Nevertheless they showed little upfront, until about 12 minutes into the second period – a good passing move was well finished, and we were back to 3-1. Evere then put some pressure on our holding midfeld and back four. Larsen and Egerton, as ever, were involved in some competitive challenges, and coped with  a lot of covering graft in the centre of the park.

            About midway through the period, MARCO MARTINIELLO on the left swung in a beautiful cross; Cain rose with a defender and headed it firmly into the top of the net. 4-1. BUFC were now back in the ascendency, and the opposition pressure evaporated as more half chances were created, and wasted. Brookes came very close with a short range effort

           Castiglioni gave way to Lees, sporting his shiny new blue boots. Within minutes the new boots were christened with what could be described as a sceaming 30-yard drive, but was in fact a one-on-one with the keeper, which Lees finished with ease.  5-1 and game over.

A tidy win, now let’s just check that paperwork!