MEFF #15 –BRADLEY’S BRUISERS 3 – 6 THE GREATEST AND BEST 5-A-SIDE TEAM IN THE WORLD... TRIBUTE:
After dominating the first half of MEFF #15 with a ruthless display against quiet and slow-starting opponents, Bradley’s Bruisers experienced a shock when new challengers The Greatest and Best 5-a-Side Team in the World... Tribute produced a rampant five goal comeback (without reply) in the second half to claim the win.
Apart from Griff (who kept a clean sheet for the Bruisers when he was in goal, and once again made no mistakes, apparently) both teams were without recognised shot-stoppers, which became evident as most goal-bound strikes crept in the net. Debutant Steve peppered the Tribute’s crossbar with shots and Sicky came close on a number of occasions, while it took Tribute a while to get going, but when they did they could have scored a lot more had it not been for the reflex saves of Neil or some pulled shots as Griffiths and Daz found plenty of space behind their defence.
1-0: Luke(running with the ball at his feet, the Tribute defence backed off and allowed Luke the time to stroke a left-footed shot into the net beyond the exposed Patto)
1-1: Patto(a fine counter-attack ended with Fletch prodding the ball into the path of Patto, who shrugged off Neil’s challenge and toe-poked a finish beyond Crozier into the far post)
2-1: Crozier (tricky play from Steve on the left wing caused panic in the area, and the loose ball fell to Crozier who passed into the open net)
3-1: Crozier(another defensive error allowed Crozier a simple finish as he picked the pockets of two confused defenders)
Half Time
3-2: Patto(Crozier’s cross-field ball was intercepted by Patto in his own half and volleyed high towards goal, with the dipping strike slipping through Steve’s fingers and into the net)
3-3: Patto(after a corner for Tribute, SuBo pulled the ball back to the onrushing Patto on the edge of the area who smashed the ball into the top left bin – HAT TRICK)
3-4: Fletch(ran with the ball into the opposition’s half before unleashing a long-range, curling strike that gave Taylor no chance in goal)
3-5: Griffiths(after good interplay with Patto in the Bruisers’ area, SuBo released Griffiths into the area down the right, who hit a low shot that deflected in off Griffin’s heel)
3-6: Daz(a weighted pass from SuBo on the left found Daz in the area, who rolled a sumptuous finish under the keeper)
Men of the Match (chosen by the Captains) were Patto “for scoring [from] within his own half. Special mention to Fletch for his lob attempt” and Steve “simply because he hit the post about 20 times! And he deserves to win something for that alone!”
