colombolions.com

[andyallenone]

match review by Iain Cochrane:

With apologies if I’ve spelt your name wrong, invented you, missed you out altogether or fictionalised events.
Thanks again to Andy for Dictaphone duty.

04/08/2007

Colombo Lions 2, Prima Gona 2 (Swamp 2)

New sport invented as Prima Gona play Thai Kick-Football.

They looked like Liverpool but they played like Robbie Savage and, once again, it was twelve men against eleven. At least we had a proper linesman or two (assistant referees my a*se). The pitch, like many pairs of shorts on the day, was a bit damp in places but otherwise very playable. Andy went with five across the middle (I thought that was just a rumour), a regulation back-four and, in the absence of several attacking players, it fell to Pablo to provide some lone fire power.

A lively opening 5 minutes saw a Lions team intent on stopping Prima Gona from playing their game. But we also had the better of them going forward. John narrowly missed a good heading opportunity from a decent corner.

It took until the eighth minute before the swamp ate its first ball of the day after Pablo made a nuisance of himself on the left. Their defender had no option but to play safe.

After ten minutes it was Prima Gona’s turn. A good bit of play resulted in a corner but the cross was dealt with easily by Kaz. The game then settled down a bit and became a little stop / start with off-side traps being sprung at both ends.

On 17 minutes, the swamp claimed its second ball of the day and was looking good for its hat-trick.

Shortly after, Vegard was on the wrong end of a dangerous two-footed challenge which went unpunished by Mr. Osman and seemed to give licence to Prima Gona to carry on dishing it out.

Meanwhile, Andrew was enjoying life on the right hand side of midfield. He put through a great ball to Pablo but nothing came of a move which saw the Lions begin to dominate.

Then just reward for all the effort in the 20th minute when Jules fed a low ball through to John in the area who finished well.

1 – 0

A few minutes later a bewildering decision by Mr. Osman ruled that a penalty be given to Prima Gona. Andy didn’t explain much on tape and I had my back to the incident but the general consensus was one of total puzzlement.

Justice was nearly done when Asanga went the right way but he just couldn’t get a finger tip to it.

1 – 1

Prima Gona increased their lead not long after when a rare lapse in concentration supplied their striker with a great shooting opportunity which he took well, firing into the far, bottom corner.

1 – 2

From the resulting re-start, the Lions showed some grit and another lovely ball to Pablo prompted him to extract the urine out of his marker. This didn’t go down too well but Pablo did when his legs were removed at the knee long after the ball had gone. Mr. Osman began to receive some flak from the Lions who had now seen enough of these tactics and were trying to keep a lid on their reactions.

No card but the free-kick was awarded. Pablo took it himself but sent the ball into the side-netting. A disappointing end when the original move looked to be leading somewhere.

Back came Prima Gona with a decent series of one / twos which ultimately rippled the Lion’s side netting.

Their gamesmanship continued unabated however. Steve H. won a free-kick having been pushed blatantly in the back when trying clear.

Towards the end of the half, Prima Gona were trying their best to seal the game and started to apply the pressure but nothing was getting past the back four this time. The Lions had the last bite of the half with some good pressure down the right before the whistle blew.

Half time: 1 – 2

Early in the second half a lofted ball forward was helped on by Steve A to Pablo whose shot was chased away for a corner from which the ball was headed over. The early pressure quickly turned into a lengthy stay in their half.

Then a free-kick taken by Kaz down the right in the 53rd minute saw Steve A. chase the ball to the by-line. He hooked in a deep cross which Pablo volleyed back into the danger area. It fell to John whose bicycle kick was powerful and on target but their keeper was able to kill the ball’s momentum. Pablo, however, had no trouble in reaping the reward for all his hard work by slotting into an open goal.

2 – 2

There was no let up from the Lions who kept sending in troublesome balls and Pablo won a succession of corners.

It took Prima Gona until the 56th minute to escape from their half and begin a meaningful foray into Lion’s territory. But some persistent progress on the right was ultimately halted by Steve H. who looked to be on a mission.

But they began to creep back into it. Asanga stayed frosty and looked to be well placed when a 60th minute hopeful shot flew narrowly over after a mid-field mix-up.

In the 62nd minute Steve A. emerged from some right-wing pinball with the ball and sent in an inch perfect cross to an unmarked and on-side Pablo six yards out. Only he will be able to explain how the net didn’t bulge. Instead of using his head, he volleyed the ball which nearly brought down the Mir space station.

Then, disaster in the 65th minute. Kaz had to leave the field owing to a bad case of cramp.

Murray was then next to fall victim to a studs-up, two-footed challenge having had a good game. Again, no card.

“Drink more beer.” said Kadi when asked to comment.

Despite their line creeping towards the halfway line, the Lion’s pressure was almost constant and we dominated in possession and movement.

The last real talking point of the game was a brilliant save made by their keeper to deny John’s late headed effort.

Full time: 2 – 2

This was an intriguing game in which both sides played some good football. A draw against a team like this is much more satisfying than winning against mediocre opposition but why, oh why do we have to play with a FIFA handicap? M.o.M. went to Vice-captain Steve H. for yet another rock solid shift in the middle of defence.

Starting XI: Asanga, Iain D, Kaz, Steve H, (Capt) (M.o.M.), Iain C, Jules, Steve A, John (1), Andrew, Vegard, Pablo (1)

Subs: Zoe, Murray, Kadi, Mahlon, Mesh

[Leftback]

RedOrDed replied:

Hi,
Good report black cat! Did we get the balls back :?

I hope to go and see the SUFC vs LFC game if I can get a ticket. (Mucky call your mates, away game) Should be a good match up.

[Black cat]

Thanks mate. I believe we did get the balls back but the swamp has now got the hump! SUFC??? Who's that then? Myself, I'll be watching the SAFC v Liverpool game but at least you'll get to see the SoL for yourself. A proper stadium. Toodle-oo

[RedOrDed]

LOl,

Already been to Stadium of shite thats in newcastle and also know as the skip as its full os crap that noone else wants.
As for SOL i was there a few years ago in a cup that happened to be INCE's last game for the reds. We won BTW. Nothing new there :lol:

[Black cat]

Aah, you mean Sid James park! I saw Bob Dylan, Queen, Status Quo and Bruce Springsteen there and the skunks didn't manage a single goal. As for the result of our next meeting, these are the bread and butter points you need if you're going to challenge. We won't just be trying to stop you. The pressure is all on your boys and we've got £9m in goal.

[RedOrDed]

Yes on the subject of SAFC and new players I have copied this from BBC, though it may not have pasted just the way it should have, :lol:


"He has got more funds available although I had better not tell you how much because the prices would go up even more," Quinn told BBC Sport.

"Basically, we are a buying club at the moment there is no doubt about that. Keeney has been saving his money from his school days and he has got a few tings on ebay that should sell for a few punt"

He added: "I can't dress up. Naturally, my mum used to help me with that. We would prefer to be selling players for massive amounts as well and this whole thing would balance out but all our players are crap, to be sure, and we would loose money on the deals by giving the lads the bus fare.

"Let's see where it all ends up. No hard luck stories with us. We are in there giving it a go. No cribbing and no moaning, we will just get stuck into our wifes and see what happens. I have heard rummors that Roy had two in the sack at one go, that man is a legend. I love him and he ha s a tight ass too, mmm"

[Black cat]

erm......ok. You've missed your medication again haven't you. My advice to you is find a dark room and lie down in it until the season is over. When you come out, we'll tell you that Liverpool have won everything and then we won't have to lock you in the cupboard under the stairs with the big sponge ever again. Ooh look at the pretty balloons........

[Richard Lloyd]

Sorry to spoil the mackans v scousers party, but i have to say that the scousers are off to a bad start, as the might villians will be back to the 80's glory days and sort out the scouse start to the season...

good luck mackans...............

villa supporter, who hates scouse and united..............

UPTHE VILLA.......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RedOrDed]

Up your villa mate. Got a 1000 on the away win if ya man for it. Bet must be made before start. text me and comfirm it. 80's! you will be growing a mullet and tash to go with it then.

I love Farrah pants and party 7's.

[Richard Lloyd]

i am up for the 1000, will txt u later, winner takes all.................get those readys ready..........

[RedOrDed]

I'll send the dogs round to pick up the loot. Cheers mate. :D