MEFF #66 – THE NALBANDIAN KICKERS 5 – 3 WEEKEND OFFENDERS:
Sicky’s Squad Scores (sponsored by Experian):Ash’s Team = 8.23, Phil’s Team = 8.25. Draw.
A fiercely even contest between Phil’s Nalbandian Kickers and Ash’s Weekend Offenders ended with Gandy extending his unbeaten run after his team took their chances in the final 5 minutes. An incredibly disappointing start from the Offenders saw the Kickers take a 2 goal lead as shocking defending and a general lack of urgency and accuracy with passing left Fletch and Griffiths with easy finishes. The Offenders slowly worked their way back into the game and a lovely solo goal from Kieran gave them hope before Spence scored a classic poacher’s goal to level the score. Patto saw a left-footed volley shave the crossbar after deflecting off Griffin’s thigh, while at the other end Pete had to sweep up several attempts by Sicky and Fletch, while Neil and Crozier both blazed fine chances over the bar.
With Griffiths having grabbed another quick finish just before half time, the second half began with the Kickers sitting deep and protecting their narrow lead, and most of the half saw Griffin’s goal besieged by long shots from Ash, Brett and Pete, while Kieran, Patto, Spence and Luke tried to pass their way through, but every time their shots were well saved by Griffin or drifted wide. Eventually Kieran found a way through to level the game, but then the match opened up once more, and finally Griffiths completed his hat trick for the Kickers, before Fletch sealed the win with the last kick of the game as he robbed Pete on halfway and rolled the ball into the empty net from distance.
1-0: Fletch(Neil’s low cross from the right wing squirmed under Patto’s boot and found the unmarked Fletch in the centre, who had plenty of time to stroke a shot beyond Pete)
2-0: Griffiths(A counter-attack by the Kickers ended with Sicky feeding an unmarked Griffiths on the left, and he scooped a first-time shot inside Pete’s near post)
2-1: Kieran(Kieran picked up the ball on the left wing and skilfully nutmegged Fletch before rifling a shot beyond Phil in goal)
2-2: Spence(Patto’s low corner into the centre was artfully volleyed goalwards by Spence)
3-2: Griffiths(Griffiths bundled home another quick Kickers counter-attack as wayward marking left him with too much space)
Half Time
3-3: Kieran(A long passage of short passing ended with Luke teeing up Kieran for a cracking left-footed finish inside Pete’s right post)
4-3: Griffiths(Fletch took the ball the length of the field, and with the defence backing away he laid it right to Griffiths who smashed home a left-footed shot on the turn)
5-3: Fletch(A final last ditch attack by the Offenders was broken down as Fletch tackled Pete and then scored from distance into the unguarded net)
Men of the Match were Kieran, “for two excellent finishes”, and Griffin, “for some amazing saves in the second half that kept his team in it“.
