Match Report: Wed 28th April 2010

Will’s Team 6 (Matt, Rich B, Simon B, Steve, Will, Jason, young Simon and Kev)
Tuvvy’s Team 4 (Sam, Dave, Rich C, Andy, Tuvvy, Roy, Jason Norwich, Gavin)

You know how it is – a big game, you set off early, meet your mates and go to the match high in expectation of watching a classic….only for the traffic to be appalling, the queue to get in the be round the ground and then when you try to get to your seat someone else is in it so you miss the first 10 mins? That’s what it was like for me on Wednesday night….without the traffic, queue and someone else……or friends now I think about it………
However, I was pathetically excited about watching the latest episode in the St Paul’s Wednesday night saga so imagine my pleasure at finding out that it was still 0-0 (despite Buncey claiming I’d missed his perfect hat trick already!!).

At this point the game still hadn’t really settled, 10 mins in an Matt and I were having a good chat behind the goal (well I was – he was in it) and I was finding out about Kerron [bored and would probably appreciate some texts/dvds etc if you can spare 5 mins] and watching space on the left for Rich Church for Tuvvy’s team and down the middle for Simon B for Wills. Nothing seemed to be falling for either of them though despite the best efforts of the collective midfields.

Finally the deadlock was broken and it took a bit of luck. A shot from Steve, hit Jason Norwich and fell to Simon B who slotted home. 1-0 to Will’s lot. Will’s team suddenly began to apply pressure, Roy cleared off the line and one for the record books, Towny saved one…with his hands…and it was going in. Will had left his shooting boots with Yaya Toure (see shot v Inter) and was getting some grief from the crowd as he blasted high wide and well pretty much every where but in the goal. Simon was once again industrious but was finding no room past Roy or Sam.

Eventually the tide would turn and it turned round the Alan Cork (http://news.uk.msn.com/odd-news/photos/photos.aspx?cp-documentid=150370278&page=7) look alike that is Tuvvy. His first contribution was a wonderful low finish into the bottom corner after good work from Gavin. Tuvvy has improved so much in the past 12 months and this finish demonstrated it – he didn’t panic, kept his head over the ball and drilled it – even the cat Kev would have had no chance. Tuvvy’s next action was to magnificently chest down a goal kick to Gavin who finished into the bottom corner with an unstoppable shot. A great goal and Tuvvy’s team lead 2-1.

The game had now got a pattern and it was this: Will’s team were playing a really nice passing game, moving the ball left and rigft with Buncey, Will and Steve instrumental in their moves. Simon was running backwards and forwards across the line like he was auditioning for the closing scenes of a Benny Hill show and Jason holding a wide left position. Tuvvy’s team were playing a much more direct game with Dave and Roy happy to shift the ball out to the left where Rich C was causing real problems for the whole defence (Matt).

Simon B delighted the crowd with a flick round the defender only for the ball to drop agonisingly away from him to the keeper. A great intercept by Buncey started and attack – Buncey to young Simon, young Simon to Jason, Jason shoots – over the bar. Great stuff. Next it was Matt’s turn to get to the ball first and drive forward, his pass to Will was firm, Will tried to do what Simon had done two minutes earlier….but missed completely and ended up looking like a flamingo (with his face about the right colour too). It was a strangley one sided affair but still Tuvvy’s team lead.
Then can the kind of battle you pay to see – imagine Neil Ruddock meets Chris Morgan; Di Canio versus Allcock..Jason and Roy went at it as the ball broke lose - both teams cheered on their man as the battled fro it…Jason won out, the ball broke to Will who broke his duck (and quite rightly taunted the crowd).

I think the game was level for about 20 seconds! Tuvvy once again benefitting from some over-passing at the back to finish – 3-2. Jason Norwich was having his turn in net and clearly getting bored – after one long range effort, he brought it down on his chest, onto his thigh and volleyed clear – good skills, and something that Will’s team should have been looking out for later in the game.

There then followed a period of what can only be described as Sunday league finishing. I haven’t really mentioned Rich C that much but he was playing really well for Tuvvy’s team. He was bossing the left wing but also making good runs, holding the ball up and releasing the likes of Tuvvy and Gavin constantly. However, he now was given a couple of good opportunities to extend the lead….the first went out for a throw, the second through the gate…throw or goal kick? Dave also felt that the way to goal was via the corner flag and not to be out done for Will’s side, Matt also nested the ball firmly in the corner of the pitch rather than the net though.

Jason Norwich had come out of net and was determined to get a goal. He ran half the length of the pitch on one mazey dribble onto have his shot saved by young Simon. The game was really open now, Steve got his second after good work from Buncey and we were very much game on at 3-3.

Then the turning point – Gavin left. It meant Tuvvy’s team were a man down and with the passing from Will’s side increasing all the while, Tuvvy’s team were always going to struggle. Steve grabbed his second after a neat layoff from Simon B and Matt got on the score sheet with a tap in – assist to Steve again. 5- 3 Will.
But Tuvvy’s team were not ones to lie down and having given them fair warning earlier Jason Norwich scored. This time it was chest, thigh, dribble, goal. Very pleasing on the eye, especially as Buncey had just gone in net…..and was out again before you could say “Great goal Jason”.

Events were running to a close – the masses of fans were ready to invade the pitch (or rather the next booking was ready). Just enough time for Captain Will to score his second wiuth a well timed run and finish.
A really good game of two well balanced teams playing different styles. Definitely better than watching Inter bore the pants of 98000 Catalans in Barcelona!!

Goal of the game: There were a number of contenders for this – Tuvvy’s cool finish, the final goal of Wills and Jason Norwich one man quest of keepie upies….however goal of the game was a really good team goal. Will crossed from the left to Simon B whose one touch knock down was perfect for Steve to hit it first time in the bottom corner. A classy goal and although Steve gets it – well done Will and Simon too.

Man of the match: As always a number of players stand up on an evening and look the part. Jason Norwich is becoming more and more confident on the ball, Matt had a great game in defence, Simon was every where, Steve and Will passed all night (although Will was probably trying to shoot). Rich Church had a blinder out on the left, Buncey looked clam and collected again (except in goal). Gavin was great when he was running at people and scored a good goal…..however one player was absolutely solid at the back for Tuvvy’s side. He marked well, intercepted and took control when he needed too. Sam gets my man of the match –well played young sir!