Ganja FC faced off against Matlock Town FC in a friendly match at Causeway Lane on 18 July 2023, with kick-off at 8:00pm. The visitors delivered a stunning performance, securing a resounding 7-2 victory, showcasing their attacking prowess and tactical superiority throughout the match.
Ganja FC lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which allowed for a solid defensive base while providing ample support for their attacking players. Jerk Chicken took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Viren Mistry and Reggae-Reggae Sauce as the right and left defenders, respectively, with Jehu Agyenim-Boateng and Tyrone Mings occupying the central defensive roles. The midfield was anchored by Kid President and Kagoro Pasipamire, who were tasked with both breaking up opposition play and facilitating attacks. Ahead of them, Reyhan Malik and Jamie Blanchard operated as right and left attacking midfielders, while Levi Roots played centrally, supporting lone striker Michail Antonio.
The substitutes for Ganja FC included Rasta Mouse, Starvin' Marvin, Jacob Biddle, Bob Marley, Connor Biggsy, Christopher Cousins, YJ, Leon Bailey, Frank Brown, Ali G, Usain Bolt, Reggae, and Aarav Chopra.
The match began with an explosive start as Tyrone Mings opened the scoring for Ganja FC just four minutes in, tapping in from close range with his right foot. The early goal set the tone for the evening, and five minutes later, Michail Antonio doubled the lead, finishing a well-worked team move with a precise right-footed shot following a cross from Reyhan Malik.
However, the excitement took a brief pause when Antonio missed a penalty in the 15th minute, his effort saved by the Matlock goalkeeper. Undeterred, Antonio quickly made amends, scoring his second goal of the match in the 29th minute, again assisted by Malik, this time with a short pass that allowed him to slot home with his right foot.
Matlock Town managed to pull one back in the 33rd minute, scoring with a header that caught Ganja FC's defence off guard. Yet, Ganja FC responded swiftly, with Antonio netting his third goal of the match in the 37th minute, converting a cross from Malik with his left foot, restoring the three-goal cushion.
As the first half drew to a close, Matlock struck again, scoring another header in the 44th minute, leaving the score at 4-2 as the teams headed into the break. The half-time whistle brought an end to an action-packed first period, with Ganja FC firmly in control.
The second half saw a flurry of substitutions for Ganja FC, with Usain Bolt, Ali G, Frank Brown, Leon Bailey, YJ, Christopher Cousins, Connor Biggsy, Bob Marley, Jacob Biddle, and Rasta Mouse all entering the fray. The fresh legs injected new energy into the team, and it was Bolt who made an immediate impact, scoring a fluke goal in the 56th minute, courtesy of a short pass from Frank Brown.
As the match progressed, Ganja FC continued to dominate, and in the 81st minute, Christopher Cousins was awarded a penalty, which he confidently converted with his right foot. Cousins added another penalty to his tally in the 86th minute, sealing the emphatic 7-2 victory for Ganja FC.
Reyhan Malik's exceptional performance throughout the match earned him the accolade of Player of the Match, as he provided crucial assists and consistently threatened the Matlock defence. Ganja FC's display was a testament to their attacking capabilities and tactical discipline, leaving them in high spirits as they look ahead to future challenges.
