MEFF #45 – BUBBA’S PINK SHAFT 6 – 2 TAFFY’S BLUEBIRDS:
Despite a bit of a balls-up with numbers (Crozier’s fault) leading to 15 players turning up, there was no confusion over the final score as Phil P’s Bubba’s Pink Shaft added another result to their growing list of victories as Taffy’s Bluebirds, captained by Ashley Vaughan, were swept aside by a barrage of Pink possession.
The Shafts made the most of their man advantage (and ability to move) in the first half, and goalkeeper Allaway was a virtual spectator as his team-mates dominated the ball and created chance after chance against a static opposition. More often than not, Luke, Fletch or Griffiths found themselves beyond the last defender, but they dragged their shots wide or Rowan saved the day! Throughout the half Luke did begin to notch up the goals as he was gifted too long on the ball, while Griff and Spence marshalled the defence and fed Phil P, Fletch and Crozier who acted as the midfield conduit to the attack.
At half time Pete donned his slippers and went up front for the shattered Bluebirds, and the game began to even out as chances were created at both ends. Brett hit the side-netting and Kieran missed an open goal from Ash’s cross (hitting the post from a yard instead), while at the other end Rowan smothered a number of chances (and was lucky not to concede at least two penalties as Fletch was assaulted in the box!) Debutant Dan was felled when he took a Crozier clearance to his bruised eye, and although the Bluebirds grabbed a couple of consolation goals, they were still susceptible to the counter-attack (Griffiths guilty of missing several great chances), with Spence finishing off a clear-cut victory with a cheeky backheel under the diving Rowan.
1-0: Luke(Pass, pass, pass, pass, Crozier to Luke, accurate finish across Rowan)
2-0: Luke(Pass, pass, pass, pass, Fletch to Luke, great finish top bin)
2-0: Luke(Pass, pass, pass, pass, Crozier to Luke, strong finish under Rowan)
2-0: Luke(Pass, pass, pass, pass, someone to Luke, composed finish in off the left post)
Half Time
4-1: Frumpy(With the Bluebirds finally enjoying some possession, Patto fed the ball to Dan in the box, who turned and threaded the ball to Frumpy who couldn’t miss from a yard)
5-1: Fletch(Taking down a throw, Fletch waltzed through the static Bluebirds defence and shot under Rowan)
5-2: Patto(A quick counter-attack ended with Kieran passing out wide to Patto, who rammed the ball into the top right corner beyond Phil P)
6-2: Spence(Crozier’s unchallenged run eventually found Spence on the far right goal-line, who drew out Rowan before cheekily backheeling under everyone into the far post)
Men of the Match were Luke “safe” and Rowan as he “withstood a barrage! It resembled 300 - ‘We are Spartans!’”
