Yet another 4-4 draw has Morris McWherter and his Guinness Book of Records backroom staff riffling through their annuls to see just these plucky young bunch of rascals need to do to etch their names in football folklore. It was an incredible result and, at the end of it all, Mexoc’s unbeaten League run has been extended to 2 games. Their hopes of breaking into the top echelons of the football pyramid have been dented, thankfully their pride and hunger for sport and ale based fun has not.
With such a vibrant squad of footy-thirsty athletes chomping at the bit to nail down a starting spot in the New Mexoc Revolution, Faulkner rang the changes from Saturday’s stalemate with several (old) new faces being given the nod and the chance to stake their claim
Much of the pre-match build-up had been dominated by complaints over the stifling conditions in the changing rooms with the oppressive heat and rancid air biscuits from Willow cranking up the tension.
The teams could have no complaints about this surface though - it was pristine and perfect for passing football. That’s exactly what we got for all of 2 minutes, before the howling winds kicked in and a very early injury to Big Phil meant that the Mexoc pack had to be reshuffled with the adventurous 4-4-2 (with wingers) being abandoned in favour of a 4-1-4-1 type system coming in and a truly bilious “football” display ensued from both teams.
Childwall Celtic played their part in a slick, high-octane start but Mexoc created the early chances and should have taken an early lead when both Faulkner and Fitz both made minor misjudgments by deciding to place the ball away from the rectangular things called goals instead of actually inside them. If only Harry Redkanpps’ missus had been available for selection then her legendary finishing skills would have given this game an entirely different complexion.
Celtic then turned the game on its head by scoring with 2 similar lobbed finishes after 2 slightly more agricultural hoofs over the top. The goals stunned the away fan and team alike as Mexoc fell apart quicker than a Scouse lass’s legs and the game was almost put out of their reach when Celtic again hit the post following another mix up. The Mexoc midfield were as effective and mobile as Don Brennan pulling a truck; the Defence as clueless as Carlos Tevez’s agent; and the strikeforce were as blunt as a Brendan chat up line (“she would get it”).
Half time couldn’t come soon enough for Mexoc but a rousing Benitez-esque call to arms by the management team saw the second half begin with fresh hope and hunger and steely determination in the Mexoc eyes.
Suddenly it was all Mexoc. With their newfound verve and spirit spuring them on, the vistors went for the jugular. Suddenly the Celtic keeper felt like John O’Shea’s chin with balls flying at him from all angles. Nerves frayed in the Celtic box, the pressure being mounted by the tour de force and after 2 or 3 goal bound attempts being cleared off the line the breakthrough was finally made. Causley clipped a neat corner onto Smith’s head who found the corner of the onion bag with a trademark finish and it was 2-1, game on!
Minutes later a Causley long throw brushed off a flayling arm from Smith and the match was all square with only a few minute remaining. Yet another boring score draw on the cards? – well as it happens yes but there were more twists and turns so please read on.
Next, an innocuous ball into the Mexoc box from Celtics’s first real attack of the half wasn’t cleared and a looping header found its way into the net.
Seconds later in another goalmouth scramble at the other end, Fitz and Smith combined to force a Causley set piece over the line and it was 3 – 3. Unbelievable Jeff.
But the Fat Lady had not yet sung, she was still warming up her vocal chords (no doubt with cakes and other sticky buns). Two minutes later a long hopeful punt towards the Mexoc goal swerved, skipped off the otherwise true surface and somehow found the corner. Is this to be another season of what ifs, buts and how are we so shite when we can actually play?
The Mexoc class of 2011/12 showed that it is made of sterner stuff than previous years and a second last-gasp equalizer was plundered with Faulkner rising, like fat kid’s heart-rate and cholesterol level in a sweet shop, and nodding home another Causley corner.
A pulsating finish to a disappointing encounter which both teams will look at as 2 points dropped. The only lessons learnt from this game are that long ball tactics still have a place in the modern game and that whatever Willow has been eating, not only makes his sphincter a major biohazard, but causes him to do funny pirouettes in the middle of the pitch.
SPORT
