A cracking 6v6 tonight with the bibs edging out the bibless 14-12.
The bibbed featured Dwayne, David, Paul O'C, newcomer Tim, Luke, and Russian Davide; whilst the bibless had the formidable force of Nick, Dickon, Daniel, Francesco, Russian Arshan, and Danny.
We are running out of hyperboles to describe the multi-talented Dwayne. Suffice it to say, he had the control and vision of Zidane coupled with the decisive runs of Alan Hudson; David played a top notch game and scored a brace of goals - one worthy of Thierry Henry without even needing to handle it; Paul O'C ran a masterclass in midfield and controlled the play in the manner of Luis Figo crossed with Gareth Barry; newcomer Tim was pure quality possessing the firepower and accurate passing of David Beckham with the footballing sense of Teddy Sheringham, Luke played another stormer proving a real handful making him more of a threat than Craig Bellamy at his best; Russian Davide controlled the defence very much in the manner of Richard Dunne.
Meanwhile the bibless deserved plaudits too. Nick mesmerised all over the park passing and dribbling like Johann Cryff; Dickon was his usual powerful and thoroughly effective presence combining the defensive qualities of Nobby Stiles with the attacking style of Martin Peters; Daniel played as if he had not been away and created numerous chances whilst winning an exorbitant number of 50:50 balls - reminiscent of Patrick Viera; similarly Francesco was back and on fire showing the skills that have seen him likened to Jairzinho and Tostao, whilst Russian Arshan displayed more silky skills than Andriy Arshavin.
The bibless came from behind to take the lead with 5 minutes to go before the bibbed showed great character to come back and win at the death.
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Thursday, 18 March 2010
match report 18 March 2010
Essentially it was 5v5 tonight with the bibbed Luke, Yusuf, Andrew, Paul O'C, and John taking on Dwayne, Nick, Rory, Dickon and Danny.
As famous golf coach Bob Rotella wrote in his book, Golf is a Game of Confidence: "It's not what happens to golfers, but how they chose to respond to what happens that distinguishes champions." - and so it was with the bibless, who came from 4 goals down to win in the end.
The bibbed adopted a diamond formation
A
A A
A
whilst the bibless used a floating 1-3 system
AAA
A
When you're up against the likes of Luke with his penetrating runs, Yusuf with his threaded passes, Andrew with his movement off the ball akin to a cross between Aaron Lennon, Jermain Jenas, Tom Huddleston, Luka Modric, Ossie Ardilles, Glenn Hoddle and Ricky Villa but definitely NOT Theo Walcott, Paul O'C with his determination, and John with his finesse - you have to be well organised and work hard and that is what the bibless were and did.
Dwayne once more mesmerised the opposition with his control and technique, Rory ran round the pitch in the manner of a piece of lighted zinc (or is it magnesium?), whilst Nick and Dickon ruled the midfield applying the iron fist and the velvet glove in equal measure.
Another high scoring contest where I'm afraid the exact final score eluded me.
As famous golf coach Bob Rotella wrote in his book, Golf is a Game of Confidence: "It's not what happens to golfers, but how they chose to respond to what happens that distinguishes champions." - and so it was with the bibless, who came from 4 goals down to win in the end.
The bibbed adopted a diamond formation
A
A A
A
whilst the bibless used a floating 1-3 system
AAA
A
When you're up against the likes of Luke with his penetrating runs, Yusuf with his threaded passes, Andrew with his movement off the ball akin to a cross between Aaron Lennon, Jermain Jenas, Tom Huddleston, Luka Modric, Ossie Ardilles, Glenn Hoddle and Ricky Villa but definitely NOT Theo Walcott, Paul O'C with his determination, and John with his finesse - you have to be well organised and work hard and that is what the bibless were and did.
Dwayne once more mesmerised the opposition with his control and technique, Rory ran round the pitch in the manner of a piece of lighted zinc (or is it magnesium?), whilst Nick and Dickon ruled the midfield applying the iron fist and the velvet glove in equal measure.
Another high scoring contest where I'm afraid the exact final score eluded me.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Match report 11 March 2010
Just a short report tonight. A quality 7v7 tonight (with Roy providing a crucial input for 30 minutes to one of the sides).
It is impossible to fault the bibless, who played beautifully as a unit. Dwayne and Jean linked beautifully in attack, Dickon, who notched up an excellent 4 goals, and Paul were immaculate in midfield, whilst Martin, Nick and David were almost impregnable at the back.
The bibbed were awestruck, although they did manage to pull the score back to 16-14.
As Tom Stoppard said: "Skill without imagination is craftsmanship and gives us many useful objects such as wickerwork picnic-baskets. Imagination without skill gives us modern art."
Unfortunately for the bibbed they weren't up against modern artists but a unique blend of craft and art.
It is impossible to fault the bibless, who played beautifully as a unit. Dwayne and Jean linked beautifully in attack, Dickon, who notched up an excellent 4 goals, and Paul were immaculate in midfield, whilst Martin, Nick and David were almost impregnable at the back.
The bibbed were awestruck, although they did manage to pull the score back to 16-14.
As Tom Stoppard said: "Skill without imagination is craftsmanship and gives us many useful objects such as wickerwork picnic-baskets. Imagination without skill gives us modern art."
Unfortunately for the bibbed they weren't up against modern artists but a unique blend of craft and art.
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Match report 4 March 2010
A great game played in a great spirit to mark Pedro's last visit before he returns to Brazil.
Behind the scenes we are competing with various Italian clubs for his signature and a possible return to good old Blighty in the winter.
It was an 8v7 tonight that ended fittingly at 14 goals apiece.
The bibless played with a heady mix of panache and determination. Pedro played in the style of Garrincha with imagination and flair; his fellow Brazilian Jean, making his debut on concrete, played with the intelligence and confidence of Tostao, Dwayne like Pele was peerless in front of goal and also made some critical interventions in midfield, Ben A played a crucial and commanding role in the centre rather like Zito, Nick was influential at the back and going forward in the manner of Dunga, the Italian newcomer was a devastating force at the back breaking down numerous attacks in the manner of Gilberto.
Meanwhile the bibbed ones, featured Yusuf, more in form than Wayne Rooney and surely threatening for a place on the plane to South Africa, John and Andrew, strident in midfield like Theo Walcott and Ces Fabregas, Jason and Luke bringing a fire to the spine of the side reminiscent of Bremner and Giles for Leeds, Dickon, calm and strong at the back rather like Bobby Moore, Paul C ran all over the park and was a human dynamo rather like Gerry Francis in his heyday, whilst Matt was critical in the spine of the bibs breaking down the opposition whilst constantly finding space on the break in a manner akin to Brian Robson.
It was a classy game played in a great spirit. We all wish Pedro the best for his time in Brazil.
Behind the scenes we are competing with various Italian clubs for his signature and a possible return to good old Blighty in the winter.
It was an 8v7 tonight that ended fittingly at 14 goals apiece.
The bibless played with a heady mix of panache and determination. Pedro played in the style of Garrincha with imagination and flair; his fellow Brazilian Jean, making his debut on concrete, played with the intelligence and confidence of Tostao, Dwayne like Pele was peerless in front of goal and also made some critical interventions in midfield, Ben A played a crucial and commanding role in the centre rather like Zito, Nick was influential at the back and going forward in the manner of Dunga, the Italian newcomer was a devastating force at the back breaking down numerous attacks in the manner of Gilberto.
Meanwhile the bibbed ones, featured Yusuf, more in form than Wayne Rooney and surely threatening for a place on the plane to South Africa, John and Andrew, strident in midfield like Theo Walcott and Ces Fabregas, Jason and Luke bringing a fire to the spine of the side reminiscent of Bremner and Giles for Leeds, Dickon, calm and strong at the back rather like Bobby Moore, Paul C ran all over the park and was a human dynamo rather like Gerry Francis in his heyday, whilst Matt was critical in the spine of the bibs breaking down the opposition whilst constantly finding space on the break in a manner akin to Brian Robson.
It was a classy game played in a great spirit. We all wish Pedro the best for his time in Brazil.
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