On a Sunday geared towards the remeberance of veterans, it was nice of Sam to invite his old man to come and referee this league cup tie between Croygas Phoenix Reserves and Raynes Park at Abbey Rec.
This was the third (and deciding) meeting between the sides after each had claimed a league victory. A stong Croygas squad (eventually) arrived at the ground ready to take on this tough fixture.
Gas lined us with its usual fluid 4-4-2 formation with Aiden in goal (following a poor excuse of a "fitness test"), back four of Sam, Dave B, Reeno and Ken, midfield of the Croygas Pires, Rambo, Matt and Gal and a front 2 of Reiss & Zib. The croygas bench consisted of Sailor, Bradders, my boy and Adam (who appeared beset by a newly discovered condition of hunger rage - more on this later).
The game began in cagey fashion by both sides struggling to find any sort of rhythm. Eventually a well worked move led to Croygas taking the lead through Reiss set up by our European import.
The next major incident in the game was a 50/50 tackle between Sam and their skipper in which their skipper had gone in over the top and 2 footed. Sam (in his usual fashion shook off the injury and got back into his position with minimal fuss), the tackle had led to words exchanged between the gaffer and their skipper, followed by a lot of laughter on the sidelines at their skippers excellent imitation of a 10 year old "gangsta".
Unfortunately shortly afterwards Raynes Park equalised through and excellent cross and header leading to their skipper to revisit his on field impressions and for some reason being joined in by their left back who clearly felt he needed some involvement as he wasnt getting anywhere near the ball or our players for that matter.
Usual service was resumed when a backpass sold their keeper short and his attempted cleared struck Reiss and went into the back of the net. This goal itself ended up being overshadowed by an extrodinary rant for Hulk on the sidelines which ensured he was firmly in their sites.
Half time and a 2-1 lead. Much of the second half passed without incident, Croygas bring on Brad to replace Ken and Adam to replace Ach. However with less than 10 mins still to play (and after some excellent Croygas defending/goalkeeping) Raynes Park equalised through a well struck shot from the edge of the area (followed my much mocking of Hulk's earlier "celebration").
2-2 and with extra time looming Croygas needed to find something which the duely did in the form or Reiss breaking clear of the oppo's defence, avoiding multiple attempts to bring him down to slot the ball past the keeper and put gas 3-2 up.
Raynes Park searched for yet another equaliser but some more excellent defending, the cross bar and an absolute worldy of a double save from Aiden meant that it was Croygas who secured the victory, the spoils and a place in the next round of the cup.
Player Ratings:
Aiden - MOTM. Assured presence and the double save was worth the entry fee alone ;-). 9.2
Sam - Mr. Consistent 8.5
Dave B - In control 8
Reeno - Won abolutely everything, then did it all over again 8.5
Ken - Was Ken 8
Ach - First assist, worked hard. 8
Rambo - Solid, lead from the front 8
Matt - See assessment of Sam 8.5
Gal - Need to find him a shirt that fits 8
Zib - Strong, should have scored 1 on 1.. 8
Reiss - Hat-Trick Not bad for a pissed bloke 8.6
Subs
Brad - Solid as ever 7.5
Adam - Should have had goal/assist. Very willing runner. Interesting rant. 7.5
Justin - N/A 6.
