Mankind's inexorable rise from just another primate hanging about in Africa to the creature that has walked on the moon, recorded music and developed the internet is down to two words - 'What if?'
Had Columbus not asked 'What if I head west from Europe?', he would never have discovered America. Had Darwin not asked 'What if species are in a constant state of adaptation?', he would never have developed his theories on evolution. And had someone not decided to make cheese with water buffalo milk, we'd never have got the tasty mozzarella made by our friends at Carnevale.
And so, for all their resistance to goal-line technology and sin-bins, FIFA are not immune from innate urges.
What if the rules of football were slightly different? Imagine corners didn't have to be taken from within the quadrant. What if penalties could be awarded for fouls committed outside the area? And why shouldn't those penalties be taken from 8 yards out instead of 12? What's so wrong about starting with a drop ball when a player is fouled? If a player kicks the ball off the pitch, why shouldn't his side get to restart the game?
And so, on a pleasant January morning, AC Carrera found themselves unwitting participants in an experiment to answer those questions and more.
AC Carrera faced Harrow Town on a mild winter morning in what proved to be a fascinating game. Harrow Town made the stronger start as they were more comfortable with the slanted angle of the pitch and got some joy with their left winger. Somewhat against the run of play Darren made a good run into the box, getting to the byline and passing to Jordi who expertly drilled the ball past the keeper with his right foot from 6 yards out.
Harrow Town responded well and drew level when a cross from a setpiece was not dealt with bouncing across the 6 yard box and their winger stole in at the back post to tap in. The game became stretched and it was end to end stuff. Harrow Town’s next goal was born out of Pasq’s indecision. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to score more own goals or give away more penalties this season. Another driven cross from the left made its way across the box and although it was going wide Pasq sliced the ball into the back of the net.
Razzle dazzle “pied d’onion” quickly redeemed himself and after finding himself in an attacking position in the opposition box he crossed from the left. The keeper made a hash of his attempted punched clearance and the ball fell kindly to Christian who tapped in to an unguarded net.
The first half finished with the teams locked at 2-2 and an angry “Chris Moyles lookalike” opposition manager taking offence to Fabio P’s throw away comment that maybe Anto should break their left winger’s legs. This was not necessary as Anto marshalled the winger well in the latter part of the half.
The 2nd half commenced and there were two notable changes from the 1st half....firstly Andrea remembered he is in fact injury prone so unfortunately came off injured with Frank coming on to replace him. Secondly the referee decided it was time to start his experimentation with the rules of football.
There was already some discontent within the Carrera team as the ref seemed to be favouring the home side. Many 50-50 challenges resulted in free kicks for the home side and Carrera started to focus more and more on the referee. Harrow Town counterattacked efficiently and through on goal their winger shot at goal. Carlo parried the ball but their striker was on hand to tap in from close range. 3-2 to them.
We reacted well and a beautifully crafted move saw Joe played in on the edge of their box. Feinting to shoot he sold a dummy to the onrushing defender and found himself 12 yards out with only the keeper to beat. Choosing power over placement he shot centrally and the keeper parried to his left only for our very own fox in the box (Jordi) to slot home from close range. 3-3
The drama was only starting as in a crowded penalty box the Harrow Town winger fell to the ground as the result of Pasq’s challenge. The referee joyfully pointed to the spot and then challenged Carlo to save the resulting penalty from 8 yards out. Penalty converted and Carrera were given even more reason to mount a comeback. 4-3
The match continued and the laws of the game continued to be skewed. Anto was assaulted and although dropping to his knees in true cowboy fashion as if taking a bullet to the chest it was a clear foul. Well at least according to 22 of the 23 men on the pitch. The man in black chose to play on and subsequently decided on drop ball. Interesting !
He wasn’t done just yet and as their midfielder raced towards the box Fabio C stood his ground on the edge of our box...mistiming his tackle he took the player down and as the Carrera midfield made their way over to form a wall for the resulting freekick we were shocked to find signor Referee point to the spot again. I say point to the spot but it seemed even closer to the 6 yard box than the previous penalty kick. Carrera challenged the decision but to no avail. Penalty converted 5-3
Carrera were not finished yet and pressed forward in search of a goal. The pressure was rewarded when Darren crossed from the left, the ball clearing the goalkeeper and bouncing up for Pietro to control and thunder a shot into the roof of the net to make it 5-4...GAME ON!!!
Adam came on for Jordi for the final 10.....
Carrera continued to press and found themselves in a favourable position down the right wing with pretty much every outfield player in the Harrow Town box ...Pasq had possession of the ball and chose his “piece de resistance” to cross the ball...with his teammates eagerly awaiting in the middle he chose to cross the ball with the outside of the boot....the result being a cross field pass that arrowed its way back into our half and set Harrow Town on the attack.
The Referee blew for the end of the match and duly sealed his “Man of the Match performance in this 9 goal thriller
