In a fitting finale for two F&O legends; 12 men laid it all on the line in a throwback match of the ages.
With caps, age and weight being bolstered to an all time high, could these warriors go to the well one more time. The answer was an emphatic yes; as all hell broke out at King Alfred on a windy and wet evening. With a liquid spillage from the squash game making an area near halfway precarious , it took just 2 minutes for Beebee to turn and fall. Seconds later when the game stopped for White to use his towel, the retiring Bahrami enquired whether it was slippery! With Blues starting slightly better, it was a goal we've seen countless times over the past 7+ years, with Brenchley rolling his man and firing in bottom corner. Blues were now starting to play well and Brench went agonisingly close to doubling the lead, by hitting the post on two separate occasions. Ambers were struggling, but Virgo pulled his team back into it with a lung busting run and smart finish. The game turned at this point and now Ambers held the advantage with some good build up play. 1-1 become 3-1 very quickly, with a disputed Beebee effort which looked like the side netting, but was actually top corner past Brench in goal. As we neared half time Ambers continued to dominate and from memory we went in with the scoreline at 5-2; Matt Green scoring his first of three to reduce arrears. Chaz took on the Ridley role of taking his time to reappear for half time as Ambers looked to see out the game. Hope sprung eternal as blues got the first second half goal for 5-3, but fell for the sucker punch when White fired across the goal for 6-3. Ambers continued to assert their advantage and hit the post on no fewer than two occasions. Blues looked down and out but managed to claw their way back into the game and suddenly we were back at 6-6; Brenchley turning provider this time laying in Curry, Mitchell & Eason to notch. At the other end Beebee was creator supreme with an energetic and classy display upfront. From here the lead went back and forth with knockout blows exchanged as we went into the final keeper changes. Both Brenchley & Bahrami had shot their bolt, so needed a second stint in goal. With 5 to go and the score at 8-8 Brench decided he wanted one final hurrah on pitch and Prosser replaced him between the sticks. With one last effort, the leading scorer in F&O history summoned up one final piece of brilliance, as he again got himself half a yard and thrashed one in past a despairing Bahrami in goal. With around 3 minutes to go it was a case of Blues hanging on as Ambers laid siege. Last ditch challenges and blocks were going in, but finally in the 3rd minute of injury time, Virgo found room on the right hand side of the area and calmly slotted in bottom corner for his forth or possibly fifth and a twenty second MOTM award. That signalled the end of the game and both teams were happy to accept a draw. A brilliant match on a special occasion. MOTM - Kev Virgo - with four votes joins Mark Brenchley on 22 MOTM's - An action packed display from 300 cap+ veteran
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It was all change for F&O this week. An unfamiliar day and time of the week and with 3 players with just 1 cap between us, anything was possible.
It certainly felt cold on arrival as the pampered F&O stars have become accustomed to the luxurious conditions of King Alfred. With Matt Green going to BACA we started a little bit late. Pretty even to begin with, with Skins enjoying more possession and territory but Bibs possibly having the best chance in the early stages. A real turning point occurred around 18 minutes when win machine Carton went down with no player within 3 yards of him. You could hear the injury so many feared the worst, luckily the diagnosis isn't too bad and Carton made his way of to a standing ovation from the players and the lads playing frisky on the pitch next door. The game changed at this point with Bibs looking to soak it up and stay disciplined with Skins if anything dropping off in terms of intensity. Bibs were keeping the ball well when they could and springing forward on the counter. Chances were falling at regular intervals and John the Hat who was leading the line well without much support had most of the best Bibs chances. Skins were starting to feel anxious and Curry was demanding they upped their work rate. They had a good spell towards the end of the first half but West who was getting through a lot of work on pitch also put in a strong 10 minute stint in goal. Disappointingly for Skins despite their numerical advantage they didn't create any clear cut opportunities and were largely reduced to crosses from out wide as Bibs looked to funnel them in field. Half time and a quick turn around. Within a minute Bibs had two great chances to break the deadlock but couldn't find a finish. They were punished soon after with Green moving into striking role found time to finish bottom corner for 1-0. Skins refused to give up and a fine goal saw West find Hussain on running a'la Michael Thomas Anfield 89 and he finished past Luis for 1-1. Not too long after the turnaround was complete with West bundling home from close range after an almighty scramble. There was still plenty of time left in the game and it really was anyones game at this point. Voss was getting into some great position but his finishing let him down after a lengthy break from F&O. In the end Bibs pressure paid off. Luis done really well to keep the ball alive by beating Mitchell to his punch by heading across the goal. West tried his best to hook the ball clear with Curry lurking but his attempt smashed the cross bar and went in. Unfortunate for West who was having a great game in midfield alongside Whitey. Harry still watching with his swollen ankle was praying Bibs could keep his winning run going and they were giving as good as they got as the game reached the final 20 minutes locked at 2-2. Another cruel blow for Bibs was when Green's shot deflected in of Luis Gil for 3-2. Not long after Hussain got caught in possession and Chaz rifled home and surely that was game over. Bibs kept coming and Hat forced Green into a great save with his legs but eventually Hat got his goal with 5 minutes to go and spark a frantic finish. There was controversy as Kev's watch seemed to momentarily stop working and the little defender seem to add on an eternity of stoppage time. Green was busy in goal and Bibs also had opportunities where they couldn't hit the target. In the end Curry made sure by smashing the ball out of play to complete the victory. A fine game which had a little bit of everything. MOTM Chaz A controlled midfield display from the veteran, also scoring the crucial fourth to win the game With teams much the same as last week it was expected to be another close game but instead we saw a complete turnaround with Skins smashing bibs 12-4.
It didn't start well for Bibs when Curry let a Chaz shot roll under his foot with shades of a Coveney OG when Amir failed to trap a pea roller of a backpass. Back then that was the last kick of the game and denied Bahrami a victory this time it was early doors. Moments before Curry had made a tremendous double save to keep the score 0-0. Bibs were always in control and I believe they were 6-1 up at one stage. That reduced to 7-3 but in truth the game was never in doubt. Carton scored a rare header, Green was having a blinder and helped himself to five goals. At the other end Wilson, Curry & Greenwood were on target for a below par Bibs. MOTM - Matt Green - Five goals for the energetic midfielder. It was another Andy Beebee indoor masterclass of sharp shooting as Bibs won 10-6.
Skins were dominant and 2-0 up but that was as good as it got for them as Bibs begun to show their class. They had a stroke of luck early when a Beebee shot deflected off White to reduce arrears. But they started to dominate and found themselves 7-3 up at the break. Skins rallied to 7-5 but Beebee with the crucial 13th goal made it 8-5 and the game was effectively up. It ended 10-6 thanks to a Brenchley blaster with the last kick. MOTM - John Curry took 4 votes alongside Andy but he takes the award as prior to the match he had a lower MOTM percentage. Curry was instrumental in the victory scoring and creating many goals and the poor Skins back line never had a rest as he pressured and harried throughout. The much loved King Alfred hosted it's first Thursday night game for several years and welcomed the F&O legends back with a firework display just before kick off.
With Brenchley being delayed by bus trouble Eason sat out the first ten minutes and was shocked to be coming back on with the score at 5-1 to bibs after they had conceded the first goal when Lamprell scored. John the Hat with a stand out goal as he danced through the Skins defence to slot home. Chaz temporarily morphed into a prime Alan Devonshire and he scored a hatrick quicker than Robbie Fowler at Anfield against Arsenal. With the game back to 6 aside it was going to take a big turnaround for Skins. Beebee and White kept them in it to reduce arrears to 10-7. Eason lobbed Chaz from halfway for 10-8 Beebee then scored another for 10-9 before Wilson hit a cracking equaliser for 10-10. It was a great game and a draw probably the right result, although Bibs will be disappointed they couldn't see the game out. MOTM - Wes Eason - You Tube footage of Beckham, Nayim & Limpar exists you can now join this strike to the legends of half way line goals. No report available but a convincing 10-5 victory for Bibs with Mark O'Regan claiming the first debut MOTM since Matt Youngman
Thursday is renowned for it's dry weather so it was disappointing a rare Saturday afternoon game was blighted by torrential rain.
Hat & last weeks MOTM Nuke turned up a little late after having a big night out the day before. It didn't bode well for Skins who were up against a well disciplined and motivated Bibs team. Tom Green opened the scoring with an early header. Ryan Green making his debut scored a second. It was 3-0 at one stage but the Beebee's put the game back in the balance with a goal apiece for 3-2. Chaz hit the bar and Eason had a header saved by Green and the game ended 4-2. It was soon to the pub where much to Pete's dismay F&O done around £400 at the bar including Jack Daniels and Sambucca which was enjoyed by Luis Escobar & Amir. MOTM - Mark Brenchley - A fine defensive display from the old war-horse. Bibs romped to a one sided 6-0 victory after a sensational second half performance where they scored five unanswered goals.
The first half was very even and Skins will feel slightly unfortunate to be trailing 1-0 at the break. The second half saw the wind and Bib performances pick up as they put Skins to the sword. Nyle enjoying a rare win, had a blinder and scored a couple. Tricker also helped himself to a couple near the end as the game was all but over going into the last ten minutes. MOTM - Nyle Hussain aka Nuke according to the several mis-spells due to predictive text on What's App Another new venue and another Thursday night classic as Bibs edged the match 8-7.
Brenchley opened the scoring after Eason intercepted Wilson's pass before squaring to Brenchley. Skins though played some good stuff with Chaz & Matt Green dominating midfield. At the back Wilson & Green were also playing well. Goals were exchanged at regular intervals and I recall Curry scoring a great team goal in the second half. Carton was proving a handful for Mitchell at the back and the MOTM rugby powerhouse netted two himself. With the game still in the balance at the end John the Hat missed a glorious chance to level and usually poor keeper Wilson made two great saves to deny a comeback draw for Skins. MOTM - Harry Carton - A deserved MOTM for the rapidly improving big man. It was a long time ago now but we had yet another draw, this time back at Stanley Deason for it's first game there in sometime.
The game finished 6-6 and my recollection was that Beebee with five goals and I scored one for Bibs. Beebee Snr had a blinder and was the deserved MOTM. Ridley had a game to forget after dallying for an eternity he was robbed of the ball for Skins to score, he then blamed the goal keeper for rolling the ball to him. Baker maimed Luis with a late challenge and sent himself off! It was a good game and could have gone either way although bibs had the better chances. MOTM - Andy Beebee - an easy choice tonight with five well taken goals. Curry whilst not scoring impacted the game with a number of assists. |