DBFC Vets 4 – 1 Godfathers
Monday 8th January 2018 at King George v School Pitch with 21:00 kick-off
Starting Line-Up: Toni (GK); Morse (LB), Steve W and Stefano (CBs), Gazza (RB); Moti (LM), Pascal and Mo (CM), Rafa (RM); Crommie (AM); Sam (CF).
Subs: Riggers, Pat, Baz, Kieran C, Nick D
Scorers: Sam Riley x2 (assists Paul Crompton and Rafael Lopez) and Stephano Bulgarelli x2 (assists Sam Riley and Baz Brown)
It was a cold, windy and wet (raining) evening at KGV, with temperature down to 10⁰C but this didn’t stop DBFC Vets taking another big step towards the league title. Now 4 league games left to play and only 3 wins required.
Gianluca was away so management duties fell to Pascal, ably assisted by Baz Brown. All players were huddled together under the pitch side shelter so after announcing the team line up and a few garlic tactics, Pascal chased the boys out into the rain and cold to get the old limbs warmed up. At the other end of the pitch Godfathers, who had turned up with decent team with a number of new signings, could be seen trying equally to warm-up ready for the start.
DBFC Vets got straight into their attacking mode, pressing the Godfathers’ goal and missing some good chances. Moti and Rafa were threats down the flanks and it was Moti that created the first clear cut chance for Sam who should have done better with a driven skimming cross that Sam got his foot to at six yards out but his effort flashed tantalisingly wide of the right post. Godfathers’ tactic of long high balls to their big centre forward and quick midfielders running off were causing DBFC Vets problems and they struggled on a couple of occasions to cleanly and quickly deal with this threat.
It took a while for the first goal to come for DBFC Vets and it was a mazy Paul Crompton dribble through the Godfathers’ box that saw him up-ended and Sam converted a good penalty to make it 1-0 to DBFC Vets. However, Godfathers got straight back when a big kick forward was collected by their big man up top and he got quick support from his midfield. A few tackles saw the ball bobble out in favour of Godfathers and it was their midfielder that reacted ahead of the DBFC defence to get to the spilled ball first, at the edge of the 18 yard box, and shoot past the DBFC keeper (Toni). This made the score 1-1 after 20 minutes.
DBFC Vets gathered their composure and reacted well with better football to press the Godfathers’ goal again. DBFC Vets got their second goal when a good in-swinging corner from Sam was met by Stef to head against the post, he then was first to react and collected the ball to turn and fire in a low drive through a crowded Godfathers’ box and into the net to make it 2-1 to DBFC.
DBFC Vets soon after went 3-1 up when Rafa fired in a goal bound shot that was deemed by the referee to have struck a Godfathers’ players hand. Godfathers’ protested at this controversial decision and although DBFC were sympathetic to being awarded a soft penalty, Sam Riley stepped up to confidently drive home the penalty into the corner of the net.
The half time team talk was conducted from under the pitch side team ‘gazebo’ where the players huddled and rubbed each other’s legs to keep warm (ok a little editorial freedom). Baz and Pascal consulted then praised the team for a warped version of pure football. Sam, Mohammed, Rafa and the ‘indefatigable’ Gazza came off (the big word means tireless). On came Pat at right back, Kieran at right midfield and Nick up front. Stef moved into a defensive midfield role, which allowed Riggers to step in alongside Steve W at centre back.
The second half resumed and straight from the off it was DBFC Vets pressing again. It was soon evident that DBFC Vets changed team shape was successfully extinguishing Godfathers’ long ball threat. DBFC had loads of possession and loads of chances on goal but just couldn’t convert Many balls were fired through the Godfathers’ back line for Moti tearing down the left flank but either the line referee’s flag or a good save from the Godfathers’ keeper kept him from scoring. Other notable changes fell to but couldn’t convert. Kieran who attempted a volley from the edge of the box but couldn’t convert and Nick was smartly played-in at the edge of the Godfathers’ box by Pat after he collected a pass on a well worked overlap down the right but nick’s placed shot produced another good save from the Godfathers’ keeper. It was all frustrating to watch and only relieved in the last minute when Barry Brown passed the ball into the box and after a bit of box pinball, the ball bobbled in front of Stef who hit a half-volley that finally beat the resilient Godfathers’ keeper by rocketing into the net just inside the post to make it 4-1 to DBFC Vets.
MOM: A number of contenders in Morse for his hard work and fiery spirit, Pascal for his tireless work-rate, Crommie for creating so many chances for players to attempt to score and have a number of attempts himself, Stef for getting 2 goals and Moti for consistently running the Godfathers’ back line ragged, providing loads of crosses and being unlucky not to score. However, this week it goes to Sam Riley for tireless work ethic and being constantly threatening and keeping cool to score 2 penalties.
DOD: This wasn’t a night for looking for player indiscretions because it was cold and wet and everyone that turned up deserves praise. However, on reflection, I’m going to award DOD to Pat Dougan for once again turning up without his full DBFC kit. He’s not worn his full kit for at least 2 seasons now and we know he’s not lost any of it because it’s different parts missing on different occasions. This time he was wearing black socks to augment the DBFC full white kit. There’s the old saying that if you can’t play good at least dress the part. Obviously Pat’s football is at the top of his game and any old kit will do. J
Report by Sam and Gaz
