Mosquito
Joined: 18 Feb 2005
Posts: 15
Location: the cricket club or some other drinking den
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| Posted: Tue 29.3.05 18:59 Post subject: Colombo Lions 4 Ratmalana 2 |
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LIONS ROAR BACK
Keeper heroics seal Lions win
Colombo Lions 4 Ratmalana SC 2
(Hicks 2, Lister, McManus)
Hindu College, Layards Road, Colombo, March 26 2005
Colombo Lions stormed back from last week's disappointing performance in the Charity Shield to a comfortable victory over a mixed-bag Ratmalana team. Lions took the lead early in the first half when Paul "Mucky" McManus drilled the ball across the goal-line for Colin "Chicksy" Hicks to tap in his ninth goal of the campaign. The second came from a McManus corner and the Gaffer's trademark powerful header. 2-0. Dave "Mosquito" Brining replaced Randall, who had sprained his ankle and within a minute backed out of a header which allowed Ratmalana to score. The goal was, fortunately, ruled offside. Mosquito made 'amends' shortly afterwards by kicking Ratmalana's Number 15 in the jaw, conceding a free kick for dangerous play, but somehow not getting a yellow card. Just before half-time, Mucky made it 3 and the Lions were cruising.
However, in the second half, Ratmalana fired back. Asanga flapped at a waist-high ball, finger-tipping it to the striker's feet for 3-1 and then Ratmalana broke through a defence that claimed, unsuccessfully, that 3 players were offside to make it 3-2. Would the Lions let the lead slip away yet again? Not this time. Asanga made a series of brilliant stops and saves, including a full-length diving double-fisted punch round the post which was quite breathtaking. The defence battled and fought, Karsten and Randall, who had replaced Kevin "K2" Pullen, scrapping for everything, and Steve "Out of Office" Ainsworth and Matthew "Gaffer" Lister supreme in midfield. Ratmalana piled on the pressure. Asanga could only parry the shot. Mosquito cleared off the line. Maurice headed home for Lions, but the goal was disallowed. Then Mucky broke free on the left. As the goalkeeper came to meet him, he looked up, saw an empty net and Chicksy in space. Unselfishly, especially given their half-time wager on who would score the next goal, Paul crossed and Colin tapped in for the Lions' fourth and his tenth. That killed the game.
At the final whistle, Lions celebrated. It had been a thunderous, full-blooded contest and a thoroughly deserved win.
Next, FA Cup First Round - away in Negombo.
Team: Asanga (Keeper), Amal (Kalu), Randall (Randy), Kevin (K2), Previne (Curly), Marlon (Giggsy), Steve (Out of Office), Matthew (Gaffer), Martyn (The Toe), Paul (Mucky), Colin (Chicksy - captain)
Subs Used: Dave (Mosquito), Anil (Anildo), Maurice, Karsten (Leftback)
Subs Not Used: Thomas
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