As the caretaker manager for the game, waking to notice 4am whats app messages between half the team gave me (on reflection) a clear indication about what lies ahead....
Croygas, looking to kick on after last weeks excellent cup win over Raynes Park has taken the celebration of that victory to extreme levels (or maybe it was something else). The only pre-game positive to take out of this situation was that all 14 players had turned up (in body if not mind).
Missing from the previous week were Sailor, Ash (sore rib sensations) and Dave B who according to the gaffer has been refused his day pass from the nursing home (spot the plausible deniability on my part there!).
The team was named and Croygas started with their usual fluid 4-4-2 formation with Aiden in goal, back 4 of Sam-Jordan-Reeno-Brad (whose decision to have that extra bagel at McDonalds would prove costly!). The midfield consisted of Jim-Matt-Rambo(more rambling than Rambo today!)-Adam and up front the usual paring of Reiss & Zib. The left us with a bench of Garry (the Jack Russel as one of the oppo described him as), Ken and Rossy.
Ironside were clearly up for this game to avenge the loss at the reverse fixture and were straight at up from the off, pressuring us high up the pitch and attacking with width and pace. It was not long before they took the lead when the broke free down their right hand side, the ball eventually made its way into the middle the andre the giant (otherwise known as Jerome the teacher) headed in to put Ironside ahead.
Ironside continued to dominate but it was Croygas who levelling the match with Jim providing one of his trademark 25 yarders.
Ironside then went 2-1 ahead but unfortunately I cannot provide you and details around this as I was occupied in a guinness related comfort break.
At half time it was 2-1, Rambo (who was doing a great impression of making Casper look lively) was replaced by Ken causing a reshuffle in the team.
The second half began with renewed optimism and purpose, Croygas showing more energy on the pitch and closing the oppo down a lot faster. However it was Ironside who got the 3rd and 4th goals in the counter attack. 4-1 down and all but out of the game, Croygas finally sprung into life and made it 4-2 through a Zib free kick and nearly made it 4-3 when another Jim 25 yarder crashed off the crossbar. This would be as good as it would get as Ironside scored a 5th and closed out the match for a 2nd diappointing league defeat of the season.
Congratulations to Ironside who were full value for their win and came out from the start of the game with a veyr clear and effective game plan.
Player Ratings:
Aiden - Double of decent saves, afforded little protection - 6.5
Sam - Usual solid self - 7
Jordan - Had the unenviable task or marking the big man - 6.5
Reeno - Only player to come out of this game with real credit - 8
Brad - Shouldnt have had that extra bagel - 6
Jim - Battled hard. Scored a good goal - 7
Matt - Set the tempo for the pressing at the beginning of the second half - 7
Rambo - Played about as well as he looked! - 6
Adam - Got a dead leg early on, made it difficult to get into the game - 6.5
Zib - Scored a free kick and put himself about - 7
Reiss - Struggled with their CB having a worldy of a game - 6
Subs
Garry - Struggled to make an impact on the game - 6
Ken - No more vodka before a game - 6
Rossy - Won a lot of ball (including "nosing" one away) - 6.5
