colombolions.com

[Mucky]

Here's last saturday's match report................

Colombo Lions 2 Matakuliya United 3– Saturday 3rd Feb 2007

I know each week we keep saying the same comment during our match reports, “another all round battling team performance” but it was definitely true of last Saturday’s entertaining encounter, against a well organized, fit and skillful opposition, especially under the hot and humid conditions.

The opposition, looking fit and confident started well and were quickly passing the ball around as if they had just come off a training pitch, and it was not long before they were awarded with a well deserved goal, which included some great passing from defense to the forwards, leaving most of the lions team in despair at their early speed and passing ability. 1 – 0 to the United.

It was mid way through the first half before the Lions started playing with any conviction and although they were starting to pass the ball around and get into the game, they were hit with a very bad refereeing decision, when a blatant offside decision was not given between the linesman and the referee, which allowed the opposing side to race through and score a deserved 2nd Goal. 2 – 0 to the United.

By now, the lions were starting to chase the game and because of the opposition’s confidence, the Lions were chasing shadows for most of the time, but their patient tactics were starting to pay off and the opposition were starting to make some mistakes along their defensive line, which resulted in a couple of half chances for the lions forwards of Mucky and Darren. As the Lions started to get more and more of the ball, and started to move forward with more confidence, they were hit with another sweeping opposing move, which resulted in another opposition goal, and the Lions were soon 3 – 0 down and the game was starting to look like a formality, already half way through the 1st half and some great saves from the Lions keeper, Asanga, it was looking like damage limitation. 3 – 0 to the opposition.

Just as the game was starting to slip away from the Lions, a lifeline, some neat passing from Steve in defense, set up Rich, who slotted the ball through to Mucky who passed the defender and slotted the ball home from a tight angle down the left had side. Somehow, the Lions were back in the game, and not only that, the Lions were now breathing fire and starting to believe In themselves, and were starting to create some half chances with could have reduced the deficit even further. Helped by the ever increasing confidence of the by now interchanging defense, including Steve, Martin, Andy, Keith, Ian and Simon. The Lions held on until half time, but the opposition were deservedly ahead. Half Time - Lions 1, United 3.

With increasing belief that they could get back into the this game, the Lions came out for the 2nd half where they left off from the 1st and were starting to now put the opposition under a little pressure, with a tactical change from the Gaffer, and now playing 5 across the midfield, which seamed to stem the flow of attack from the opposition and start to increase the amount of ball the Lions midfield were now getting, especially through midfield, with some good passing between Rich, Stevie A and Jules setting up a move down the left for Prev which almost resulted in another Lions goal. It wasn’t long after that the Lions won a free kick from just inside the opposing half way line, and Rich set up the ball for a shot on target to the put the keeper under pressure, which the keeper tipped over the bar for a corner. From the resulting corner, some good play between Marlon and Rich resulted in a sweeping cross which put the defense under pressure and Stevie A leaped with the defender and the ball was in the back of the net. Lions were back in the game and now only 3 – 2 down.

By this time the game was breaking up and there were end to end chances, with both keepers very busy, the game could have gone either way, and the Lions should have evened up the scores with about 10 mins left on the clock when, Rich chipped the Opposing defense which Darren run onto and attempted to lob the keeper from just outside the box, but the ball went agonizingly just past the post.
More chances were created by the Lions, helped by some solid defensive clearances by the now dominant defensive line, led by Steve and Andy, who regularly set up the midfield to supply the forward line led by Mucky who was starting to frustrate the opposition defense and the referee! But could not get that ever deserving equalizer, and the game ended, Lions 2 United 3.

Again, another solid and gritty performance by the Lions, against a talented opposition.

Well done lads, I’m sure a good win is just around the corner! And also glad we got all the balls back safe and sound!!!!, and thanks to Alison for supplying the pre match refreshments, and to Redorded for supplying the “Energizing drink” pls don’t pass on the secret recipe!!