colombolions.com

[andyallenone]

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 for Dictaphone duty.

15/09/2007

Colombo Lions 10 - Korean XI 0

Defence give clean sheet text book lesson.
Oh, and Danny scored a few.

For the first time in over a month we’re back at fortress Beddagana to take on the auld enemy, an always unpredictable Korean side. This is the fourth encounter between these two sides since March 2007 when the Lions came out on top in a close fought 2 – 1 win. Then in mid June we showed improvement by thumping them 6 – 2. Two weeks later the Lions dominated again but this time it was a bruising contest in which the body count numbered 5 while an amazing turn around by the Lions saw them triumphant again but this time by a narrow 4 – 3 margin. You have to admire their pluck though. They keep coming back and one day…

Not today though. The pride was swelled enough to have plenty on the bench and a regular and well rehearsed starting line-up was more than a match for them. A recent rainy period turned the pitch boggy in areas but that’s the way, (ah ha, ah ha) we like it, (ah ha, ah ha). And swampy didn’t get a single touch all afternoon.

The Lions started well as usual and Zoe and Alison dispatched number one and two in the opening seconds of the game but enough about their wine drinking.

On the pitch, Danny had his first pop at goal as early as the second minute but it was just wide. A sign of things to come? You betcha! The early pressure was one-way and confined to the Korean half.

Next to have a go was Liam who made an opportunity for himself with some good running down the right but the shot went wide of the post.

After 5 minutes, a cloud burst made things a bit more interesting and the Koreans responded by getting their act together. They started to keep the ball better and they began to read each other. But it wasn’t enough to dictate the game and the Lions hadn’t reached top gear yet.

A good cross by Jules found Danny in the box but the shot was brilliantly defended by a flying Korean.

The crosses rained in from both sides seldom finding a Lion’s head but surely a goal can’t be far away now!

The deadlock was broken in the 15th minute when Kaz ran the ball out of defence and chipped a great ball over the Korean defence where Danny was waiting and he finished well past the unprotected keeper.

1 - 0

The game slowed down after the goal and Lion territory was being breached a little more but not very convincingly.

With 25 minutes gone Andy made the first of many changes that are necessary when 26 people turn up for a game.

Danny stayed on the pitch for his farewell though, and caused a panic when he tried a long range effort which sailed just wide.

Shortly after that, he was fed again by Steve A. after some neat play but again the shot posed no problem.

Steve A. was rewarded for his contribution soon after when he got onto the score sheet from close range after a goal mouth scramble.

2 – 0

Although the Koreans can never be predicted, the Lions were running riot, dominating all over the pitch but, strangely, the score line remained sensible until...

Donaldinho received the ball from a Korean goal kick and squared it to Steve H. He played a through ball to Danny who laid it off for Rich. Rich immediately returned the favour and the advancing Danny (for it was he) had no trouble adding to the score line. I wish I could elaborate but help is so hard to find these days.

3 – 0

With half an hour gone and immediately after I’d been subbed, the first serious attempt on goal came from the opposition. What does that tell you eh? An almost certain, against-the-run-of-play, out-of-nothing type goal thingy was averted by a wonderful stop by Asanga. Credit to Asanga whose eyelids seemed to be drooping until then.

In the blink of an eye, the ball was at the other end courtesy of a sound clearance by Captain Rich. Steve A. got underneath it but the move was well defended.

The Koreans crept back into the game in the last ten minutes, forcing a corner and generally making a nuisance of themselves but the Lions held firm and were giving nothing away.

It was the Lions who remained stronger and if truth be told, 3 – 0 was flattering to the visitors.

Half time: 3 – 0

Now, we’ve had a three goal advantage at half time before (see last week) and weird things have happened but today, even the Koreans couldn’t imagine that margin narrowing.

After the break, the Lions were back in business inside two minutes. Some confident play up through the ranks ended in a sliced clearance which resulted in a corner. Then Rich emerged from the wars on the half way line to loft a diagonal ball to Rob who was waiting in the D. The keeper came but Rob’s sweetly struck volley rolled into the middle of the goal.

4 – 0

In the 51st minute, a contender for goal of the week. Danny, with his back to goal in the middle of the park angled a perfect pass to Rich who went tearing down the right. He beat the off-side trap, took the ball into the area and slid the ball in at the near post. A Beauty!

5 - 0

Possession for next few minutes was pretty even but the Koreans lacked any ideas beyond their own mid-field and the Lions looked as if they were going to score with their next attack. Then guess what happened…

The Lions scored on their next attack! Rich stole the ball on the half way line and played a wide ball to Rob. He managed to fight his way into the box but he scuffed a left foot shot. Happily the ball found Pablo who floated a short cross to an unmarked Mesh who made no mistake from very close range.

6 – 0

On the hour Pablo swung in a deep corner and the ball fell to Andy A. who clearly saw the back page in his head. His shot was goal-bound but it was blocked. The clearance was scuffed and Mesh popped up again to score from inches out.

7 – 0

Next up was Liam but the keeper did well to collect the ball at the second attempt.

After another sizeable substitution the Koreans then decided they wanted a consolation but a decent move down the left was foiled by the still alert off-side trap.

On 70 minutes Danny got his hat-trick just as Andy A. subbed himself for me. Details unavailable. Sorry Danny.

8 – 0

Two minutes later though Danny scored the pick of the bunch. Barely inside the Korean half, he noticed the keeper off his line and looped an inch perfect long range shot into the net for his fourth.

9 – 0

Just to pop a cherry on top of the icing, Steve A. played an on-side pass through to Furrukh who ran onto it to slot cooly past the on coming keeper, low to his left.

10 - 0

The shots continued to pepper the Korean goal and the game finished looking more like an exhibition match.

Final score: 10 - 0

It’s always nice to go away but there’s a lot to be said for coming home. Usually, a closer score line makes the victory seem bigger but today’s Lions’ display was damn near faultless in all areas and one to be proud of.

M.o.M. went to Danny (again) for doing what he does best. NO! Not tequila shots! Scoring goals!

Special mention goes once again to Denise. (Captain Rich’s Mum). I’m afraid you may have started something here love. My Mum has started to bend my ear that I haven’t given her a mention. So, here’s the deal. If anyone’s Mum wants a mention in the match report, just let your babies know and I’ll see what I can do OK? A free hairnet, a jar of chocolaty Horlicks and a tin of Whiskers will go to the first 3 applications that land on me desktop. And remember to wrap up warm. Autumn’s coming. And just in case I’ve jeopardised my inheritance…HELLO CYNTHIA!

Starting XI: Asanga, Iain D, Kaz, Steve H (Capt), Iain C, Jules, Vegard, Andy, Liam, Danny (4) (M.o.M.), Furrukh (1)

Subs: Andy A, Seaman, Donaldinho, Sylvain, Pablo, Disco, Mesh (2) Cormack, Steve A (1), Rich (1), Kadi, Francis, Laurent, John, Rob (1)

[begleyontour]

Excellently written Mr. Cochrane ... you should consider being a writer/journalist for a living ....
Keep up the good work mate
Rob

[Furrukh]

Well done Iain, only 1 gripe and that is that after many attempts i managed to score for the Lions and it wasn't in the match report. I think it was the last goal, Steve A played a pass, ref did not blow for offside so ran towards goal and slotted the ball past the on coming keeper, low to his left. Don't know if the score line should be 10 or if there is an error on another goal?

thanks

Furrukh

[Black cat]

Hi Furrukh,

I can only sympathise with you on what is obviously an administrative error. I came off that pitch under the distinct impression that we had indeed scored ten. My problem is that I have to hand over Dictaphone duty to someone whilst I am on the field and if the tape doesn't tell all, then I am at a severe disadvantage when it comes to posting an acurate report. I will happily lead the march to have your goal recognised as an official stat though. Just say the word. In the meantime, I could try to edit the report accordingly if the site will allow.

Your humble servant,

Black cat.

(some minutes later)...

I have indeed just been able to alter history and you will be pleased to know that a great wrong has been righted. Now all I have to do is change the goal stat from our 102nd game stat round up. Bloody trouble maker!