Whisper it quietly around these parts, but there is a quiet sense of optimism amongst the squad members of every Twitterer's favourite park team. The outfall from last week's shambolic performance was shortlived as the 14 Horsemen of the Apocolypse conjured a magnificent hard earned win against their Div 1 opponents. With a conker challange awaiting them, the mighty whites had got away with 3 snags, an 8" rocket and a smashing performance to book their place in the next round of the Intermediate Cup.
Such is the strength of Mexoc's squad these days, even the loss of Jon 'Crazy Mule' Williams early on following an innocuous looking tackle only seemed to galvanise the Mexoc tactics, setting up in a continental style 4-5-1 designed to absorb the anticipated persecution from the Cardinals. It was perhaps against the run of play that Mexoc stole the lead. A hopeful free kick into the box by Brown somehow eluded the Newman GK, and Causley reacted quickest to ensure the ball crossed the line, blasting in from 17.76cm. The cardinals were enjoying touching a bit too much, but MFC looked as solid as Jimmy Savilles necklace at the back. A rash challenge on the edge of the box though, allowed Paul Newman to fire in a deflected free kick into the bottom corner of the Mexoc net.
Far from going into their horse chestnut shells, Mexoc continued to keep their shape and nearly scored a stunnning 2nd following a flowing move involving Causley and Dave Hedghog, sporting a new barnet, which Paz was unlucky not to see his diving header hit the onion bag. But only moments later, another set piece, this time from Patrick Davis, saw Phil Brown bundle the ball and the keeper over the line, just before Causley made sure. Although under pressure, it was no more than Mexoc deserved, and their 3 fans were in dream land just on the stroke of the interval, when Mexoc doubled their lead. A loose ball was collected by Causley, who's deft chip eluded the CN defence, Dave Johnson pouncing on the intricate pass to lift the ball expertly toward goal for Chris Parry to finish from close range for a well deserved goal.
The half time team talk was all about keeping to the plan. Jelly babies were devoured and new style water system quenched some significant thirst. Mexoc carried on where they left off, the resolute defence abosrbing the hopeful attacks of the home team, whilst enjoying good posession in midfield on the break, with Robbo and Dave working tirelessly up and down the flanks. It wasn't long into the 2nd period though that the Cardinals fiddled a way back in to the game. A missed tackle from Causley allowed the Newman winger to cross for a smart finish off the underside of the woodwork.
Both teams looked capable of the next goal but after a series of attacks, a loose ball was toe poked into the Mexoc net from close range. There was time for a couple of excellent team moves from Mexoc, with Regan and Parry both going close (Parry was closer!) - but Mexoc weren't finished there. On the counter attack, Dave Hedgehogged his way into the box, and when the keeper saved his initial shot, kept his composure to nod in the looping ball, evading the defenders efforts on the line. A fine individual goal. The great whites went fucking sharky! But there was still a lot of the game left.
The home team continued to pile on the pressure, and had a goal disallowed, following a close call, and also went close with a header hitting the bar and bouncing on the line, and the Newman eggs threatened to boil over. A goal mouth scramble and some desperate defending allowed Mexoc to poach a significant win and prove that they are no small fry.
Tactical, disciplined, a mammoth effort overcoming a tough middle stage, today there was a new Faulkner in town - and I'm not talking about caretaker manager Causley. Albert John Faulkner just may be a Mexocian of the future, and this win was dedicated to the msising gaffer and his new family. Elwood Boltz was only able to be the youngest Mexoc fan for a matter of days, but plans are already in motion to get a 2nd Mexoc team up and running next season. The White Horses whill have to drink a lot of cheap whisky though as they scour south liverpool for some hidden talent, although head scout John Fraser did see some good ball handlers in the Post House a few weeks ago
This was a fantastic team performance from 1 to 14, with excellent contributions from all. The challenge now for the Mexoc Horsemen is to repeat this performance in the league.
