Today was match number 5 for Inspire for Inspire who where looking for a fresh start after weeks of terrible referee decisions and the league issuing silly bans. Their opponents where the Alpha Dogs, who where a raw physical team desperate for their 1st win. Inspire found themselves in an awkward situation with many players missing through: injury, suspensions and work. Most notable cause for concern was the fact their was no goal keeper that was available, with Alex and Colin sidelined and Stephan absent the coach had a real problem on his hands. With Captain Thierry suspended and Dominic preparing for a race this weekend Inspire had limited options outfield also with only 3 available substitutes.
Regardless of the problems it was a great chance for some players to prove themselves on the main stage. Nico took the captains armband and Zweli finally made his Inspire debut but took one for the team in his less preferred position as a goal keeper.
The match started with Inspire dominating the possession yet again looking very sharp on the flanks. However every Alpha attack down the center was pretty basic with one or two runners driving into the box for a hopeful ball. Inspire where riding their luck with some awful defending from defensive midfield and the central defense. (This has been addressed and needs to change as the organisation is poor). This defending was the result of the Alpha's 1st goal which found a runner UNMARKED and had SPACE in the box to do as he wants. The shot was an average drive which hit the far corner of the goal. Inspire 1-0 down.
With all credit to Inspire they continued to fight and shortly after earned a corner. A quality in swinging corner from Mansour found Inspires big man Ronald who headed in with the side of his head to equal the score. Following this some great link up play from Mardonna and Taofeek resulted in Taofeek smashing in from close range. 2-1 Inspire.
The Alpha dogs with all due respect are not the most technical team in the world yet these simple runs and poor defending got its reward with the Alpha Dogs player hitting another average ball through the legs of stand in keeper Zweli. 2-2.
Inspire needed some Inspiration and it came from Sarafadeen Oyebola aka Inspire's Maradonna. From a nothing corner, Maradonna stepped up and hit a fantastic in-swinging corner that bent enough to leave the keeper stranded and creep into the top corner of the goal. The intent was questionable but the delivery was world-class and certainly challenges for goal of the season....so far!!!!
With Inspire in control Maradonna dropped deep into the field to pick up the ball from Amro who then, and I mean this when I say it, produced one of the best solo goals I have witnessed EVER from someone in my team. Maradonna picked up the ball from the left wing and nutmeged the Alpha right midfielder with a smart dribble from nowhere. He then burst down the flanks outpacing their right back then unleashed a drive into the furthest top corner and all the keeper could do was wave at it as it flew past him. To top this some naughty dance moves where thrown around in celebration.
Inspire where back in complete control but yet again awful defending and goalkeeping led to a needless knock for a penalty on a actuate angle and the penalty was given and converted.
Inspire scored again the 2nd half to try kill the match with Moe Sanhouri hitting home in the box. This still did not feel enough as Alpha where gifted another soft goal and looked almost certain to score again hitting the crossbar and Ronald heading away some challenging balls.
Eventually Inspire did hold out for their 2nd victory and rightly so we deserve it after everything that has happened.
Man of the Match: Sarafadeen (Maradonna) two amazing goals saved Inspire for the defensive mistakes. This day and match was most certainly his.
Numpty of the Match: Sarafadeen (Maradonna) naughty dance moves on the football pitch for a celebration is prime numpty material.
C.T
