MEFF #46 – BUBBA’S PINK SH@FT 2 – 3 JUBILEE JESTERS:
Before kick-off, a swarm of wasps flew over Charnwood in a scene of apocalyptic proportions. Shaman Spence was convinced that this was an omen, foretelling that a great MEFF battle was about to take place...
In stifling May heat, the Jubilee Jesters, captained by Brett, produced a fighting performance to claim the spoils against Bubba’s Pink Shaft, who were looking to go five games unbeaten. The Jesters fashioned the best efforts in the first half, but were actually behind at half time as the Shafts took their chances on the counter-attack thanks to great work from Fletch, Kieran and Luke, with Rowan and Phil P in support, while Pete produced some effective saves to continually frustrate the Jesters; Patto and Jack frequently saw shots blocked or parried wide, while Brett, SuBo and Crozier missed excellent chances in front of goal, although Griffin and Spence offered effective protection in front of Pete.
The second half became slower as both teams began to melt in the heat, but Patto and SuBo linked up for the equaliser, and then looked for the win as they tightened up their defence with strong play from Jack and Brett, dominant possession from Fletch and Crozier, while Steels was frequently off his line to claim the long balls. Unfortunately a mistake from Pete, who was excellent for the rest of the game, gifted the victory to the Jesters. The score really should have been higher for both teams as the space opened up in the final 10 minutes, but both teams struggled in the final third as movement dried up and decisive passes were wasted.
1-0: Kieran(Kieran outmuscled Crozier as they fought for Spence’s long throw, before coolly lobbing the advancing Steels once he had shaken off his marker)
1-1: SuBo(Patto held up the ball before feeding the sprinting SuBo down the right, who poked the ball beyond Pete’s reach from a tight angle)
2-1: Phil P(Luke’s square pass found Phil P who was able to bundle the ball through the challenges of Jack and Patto before firing beyond Steels)
Half Time
2-2: Patto(SuBo was released down the right, and laid off the ball for Patto who half-volleyed the ball inside the left post)
2-3: Jack(A mistake by Pete saw him roll out the ball to the edge of the area where Jack intercepted before side-footing the ball into the bottom left corner)
Men of the Match were Fletch, who controlled the game and showed lots of running, and Pete, who “despite gifting the winning goal, he pulled off some excellent saves and good distribution always offering an option at the back”.
