Mucky
Joined: 17 Feb 2005
Posts: 206
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| Posted: Mon 25.6.07 18:35 Post subject: Lions 6 - 3 Dehiwela Utd 30/06/2007 |
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First Match of the Season Bhoys!
Match report by Iain Cochrane:
With apologies if I’ve spelt your name wrong, invented you, missed you out altogether or fictionalised events.
Thanks to Andy Allen who was on Dictaphone duty and who recorded a 66.666% success rate in commenting on actual goals scored. Nice work fella! For God’s sake, I’m an artiste; I just can’t work under these conditions!!!
30/06/2007
Colombo Lions 6, Dehiwala F.C. 3(dislocated shoulders 1)
Six of the best as new season begins on a high.
After all the back slapping and frivolity of last Saturday’s awards celebration, (if only all closed seasons could be this short) the new season kicked off against a side that have played together for only a matter of months. It was apparent that they had not quite become a team yet but that’s not to say they weren’t in possession of a decent player or two. So, without really knowing what to expect, the Lions kicked off the game in their changed colours of all white under a very hot Sun and on an unusually lush surface. Another unusual feature of today’s game was the presence of Martyn who had been given the nod to play up front in his last appearance for the Lions.
After a lively start, John opened the scoring by slotting home early on. Great Pass by Martyn.
1 – 0
Rich followed up shortly after with what is becoming a trademark goal. He collected the ball with his back to goal, turned and found the right spot with a powerful drive and all that with less than 5 minutes gone.
2 – 0
Not to be too down-hearted, Dehiwala showed some guts and had a pop at goal with 8 minutes gone but it was a comfortable save by Asanga. Within seconds, the ball was back at the other end of the pitch but Martyn couldn’t quite capitalise. It looked like Friday night’s leaving bash was taking its toll when Daz came on to replace him.
Soon after the substitution Jules displayed some determined running down the left which paid dividends when he laid the ball off to Mucky who pushed it clinically past the keeper.
3 – 0
Shortly after, Asanga had to come way off his line to deal with a serious threat that nearly back-fired but the ball was eventually cleared by Steve H.
Back they came a few minutes later but this time it was Vegard who confidently dealt with the problem.
In the 35th minute, Pablo (on for Mucky) made it on to the score sheet without any flowery adjectives to work with. (“I think that’s five – nil” said Andy)
4 – 0
It’s not much fun being 4 – 0 down in the first half but, to their credit, Dehiwala kept plugging away with a purpose.
On 43 minutes a miracle! After some great solo work down the left Pablo ultimately sent the ball impossibly wide of an open goal. So I can confidently report that he is human after all!
John nearly had number five after Martyn sent a free kick down the middle from within the Lion’s half but the flag came up for off-side.
In the dying minutes of the half, Dehiwala had a corner which was cleared by Rich to Pablo on the left. Pablo took a touch before floating an inch perfect cross-field diagonal ball to Daz but the move ended when Mr. Osman blew for an infringement.
Apparently there was another goal but Andy didn’t mention it. I'm told that Daz popped one in. Well done that chap.
Half time: 5 – 0
The opening minutes of the second half saw Dehiwala bring the game to the Lions and the returning Frederik (on for Asanga) showed a little rust as he collected the ball at the second attempt after a good move down the Dehiwala right.
Pablo was then reinstated as a deity soon into the half when he danced around two defenders on the left of centre before unleashing an unstoppable 25 yard drive over the keeper and into the centre of the net. A beauty!
6 – 0
The opposition’s keeper then decided to start playing by firstly stopping a fierce shot from Mucky and then making a succession of fantastic saves to keep out the Lions. At six nil down maybe he should have thought of this sooner. At the other end they seemed to grow in confidence too and were causing some trouble for the Lion’s back four. It’s true that Frederik was busier than Asanga had been in the first half.
Ten minutes in, their tricky midfielder began a determined run from way out. He rode every challenge and then turned Steve a couple of times before slotting home comfortably. A truly remarkable solo effort from Disco’s twin (Beach ball with fingers - separated at birth?)
6 – 1
The Dehiwala goal led to a prolonged period of pressure from the opposition which generated a couple of good chances but their finishing looked like it needs some work.
In a brief respite on 65 minutes, Jules did more good work on the left which resulted in two corners for the Lions but they were ultimately wasted.
Dehiwala began to boss the midfield at this point. They were picking everything up and using it well.
Their second came from a good, flowing move down the right resulting in a pin-point cross which was headed in by the smallest player on the field. A very well executed goal which, perhaps should have been averted by taller opposition.
6 – 2
Soon after, a penalty was awarded to Dehiwala under dubious circumstances. The kick was placed in the top right-hand corner giving Frederik no chance.
6 – 3
Captain Lloyd then had a shouting fit which resulted in renewed concentration (and a couple of puddles on the ground). The Lions went back on the offensive and quickly won a corner which was cleared as far as Rich but his shot was just over.
More pressure by the Lions was rewarded with a free kick at a tight angle on the edge of their area which grazed the foot of the far post before bouncing out of play.
Another free kick two minutes later looked like it was going to loop into the top left corner by Mucky but again, it went agonisingly wide.
Martyn looked like he might have signed off with a goal a few minutes later when he was put through but their keeper just about got there first.
The final ten minutes were fought out very evenly without any addition to the score line.
Final score: 6 - 3
All was not as it seemed today. The Lions would do well to recognise the fact that they were beaten 3-1 in the second half with Dehiwala scoring more goals in 45 minutes than the well organised Korean XI did in 90 minutes the last time out. However, the first game of the new season ended very satisfactorily and the M.o.M. award went to Jules. Bon Voyage Martyn!
Starting XI: Asanga, Laurent, Steve H, Vegard, Iain C, Jules(M.o.M.) , Rich (Capt.) (2), John (1), Chandu, Mucky (1), Martyn
Subs: Frederik, Schell, Pablo (2), Daz, Iain D, Kadi, Chopper, Mesh |
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