MEFF #49 –THE NALBANDIAN KICKERS 2 – 2 THE FELTCHERS:
Despite a controversial and hot-tempered ending, a tense MEFF #49 between Phil G’s Nalbandian Kickers and Fletcher’s Feltchers ended with honours even. Although the Kickers had the better of the first half, taking the lead thanks to two cool finishes from Dazzler, they had to ride their luck in the second half as the Feltchers were gifted a goal (well taken by Griffin) and then created a number of chances that should have been put to bed, with Fletch bravely deflecting Patto’s shot wide, and Gandy missing the best chance of the game at the back post after Crozier’s tantalising slide pass. Patto and Brett also produced spectacular orbit-balls to excite the crowds.
Taking over from Gandy in goal for the second half, P2, Neil and Griffin had very little to do as they watched Griffiths and Daz fire the best chances wide, although the Kickers almost grabbed the win with a 3-on-1 counter-attack near the end, but Griffiths shot straight at Griffin before Kieran calmly cleared the danger. The controversial ending came when Pete went on a ‘Rowan-esque’ dribble up-field but hand-balled. As he raced back towards his own half, Parrot launched a long free kick towards the empty goal, which Pete deflected wide with his hand on the centre spot. Tut tut - 7 of the 14 players were not very happy!
0-1: Daz(Fletch ran out with the ball from defence before finding Daz, who sent a low shot into the bottom left corner from distance, with an unsighted Gandy rooted to the spot)
0-2: Daz(Brett played in Luke down the right wing, and he found Daz unmarked on the left wing who calmly sidefooted beyond Gandy into the bottom right corner)
1-2: Crozier(great build-up play between Phil P and Griffin allowed the latter to thread a pass through to Patto, who beat Pete to the ball on the edge of the area and watched as his deflected shot rolled towards the back post where Crozier was steaming in the slide home)
Half Time
2-2: Griffin(with Pete miles from his goal following a defensive mishap, confusion between Daz and Griffiths allowed Griffin to steal the ball and pass into the empty net from halfway, despite the best efforts of Fletch and Ash sliding across goal)
Men of the Match were Daz “for taking his two goals well” and Kieran, presumably for his excellent work in defence.
