London League VI Fixture Chat

Division II match report, Daredevils (Ben punkture, Iian, Zoe) v. Clerks (Felix, Jimmy citygent, Mark nesbit):

The 2nd ranked v. the 4th in 2nd division game, pretty even match on paper and it was indeed such for the first five minutes of the game, I dare say I suspected some horse trading going on ala Tory's and Lib Dem's before Felix opened the scoring from a shot which bounced off the the far post to deceive Ben in goal and the back spin of the ball (intended or not) took it across the line. Iian replied almost immediately and the game sparked into life with 2 other players taking the limelight, Ben punkture v. Jimmy citygent.

Let me explain - plenty of checking, shoulder to shoulder, close call crashes but man they should really get a room, honestly, these guys were like really into each other, one blocking the other and the other not giving in and just rather crash than play the game.

Let's get back on track, Felix who was pretty much the striker of Clerks sold Iian a dummy and with a bit of luck evaded a challenge and made it 2-1 but Zoe combined well with Iian to grab the equaliser. From here on it was a match between Iian v. Felix with the former giving Daredevils the lead only to be reversed by a double by Felix but Iian had the last say for the chukker, belting in one to end it at 4-4.

2nd chukker: I honestly rather not write this, one of the most boring games EVER bar ZOE! She was pretty much on the hustle from the onset but only denied by a combination of good (lucky?) defending as she had no less than 5 chances to score. There were plenty of wild shots too, Jimmy and Felix guilty for Clerks and Ben for Daredevils. With 4 minutes remaining of the chukker, Iian went to ground to avoid fouling Felix who had an unguarded net to slot in. If there was a most gentlemen move award this would be it. Ian had the last say though as he scored one and set up Ben to end the 2nd chukker 5-6 to Daredevils.

3rd chukker: It's quite apparent by now that both teams are quite equal on the court and both teams started cautiously. It was not until the last 7 minutes that the first goal arrived: a good blocking move by Jimmy allowed Felix through on goal with only the keeper to beat and he did. The same combination lead to the next goal, Daredevils were up in the opposition's third but the ball fell kindly to Felix who fed it to Jimmy who then went straight down the left flank and although Jimmy over hit his shuffle forward, Zoe unfortunately turned the ball into the net to make it 7-6 to Clerks.

Daredevils were however unperturbed from the restart, holding the ball well and were gelled with each other while Clerks smelled blood and were pressing up high.

This is when the game really changed and Daredevils got their reward: Iian leveled with a cool finish to leave it well poised at 7-7 with only 4 minutes remaining. From hereon I must say a combination of sloppy (for want of a better word) ball handling from Clerks gave the advantage to Daredevils as the ball carriers lost possession at center spot to allow two one on one with the goalie first for Ben and then Iian to give Daredevils a 9-7 advantage. Clerks started to sit deeper hoping for a chance to counter with just about 2 minutes remaining but Zoe was keeping the ball well alongside Iian and the former scored the 10th and Iian the 11th to end the game 11-7 to Daredevils.

Highlights:

1. Iian laughing it off when Jimmy left his mallet under Iian's front wheel.
   
2. Ben v. Jimmy Re: 2nd paragraph.
   
3. Daredevils disallowing their own goal when there were no goal refs right after Clerks scored.
   
   

Man of the match:
It was pretty much between Mark and Zoe. Both players were the calming factor in their respective teams but at the same time shouting out calls to their team mates, and pushing out from defence when needed, tight call but I am giving it to Zoe. She bossed the game, yep she did. She was pretty much calm for the 1st chukker but she upped her game for the 2nd and final chukker and got some sweet goals too.

Ref's notes:

1. If you try to endo and block someone and the opposition decides to just ride through and you end up on the ground, it's your own fault.
   
2. The advantage rule is as per ice hockey and not footie.
   
3. As stupid as it sounds, follow through from a shot is only a foul when you hit someone. Silly rule and I didnt write it, I am there just to enforce it.
   
   

List of scorers: To be disclosed later, it's in the F*** You and Your Blog book and if you can't wait you could tally it up from the match summary above. Off to bed, nites.