A win is a win regardless of the play, a theory made famous by one Jose Mourinho that is at least until his anti-football tactics ended in disaster after disaster. The somber mood at the bench after full-time did not epitomize the win that the game had produced and as the players walked back they were more disappointed by the way they played than the win. A fantastic goal from Chubar and unbelievable saves from Donnarumma Babu may have saved the team blushes but the win was nothing to savor. PSC was dominated from start to finish and maybe guilty in the first half for not burying several chances before a rather disoriented second half. Zero blame can be extended to the coaching staff who suffered the most with Nicko at the touchline having troubles with the lineup and even the subs. At the risk of being monotonous, the team's gameplay was lost even though the game began with uncertain confirmation coupled with lateness that left the coach with limited choices on how to set up his team. Saved by the bell, Babu arrived just in time to be slotted in goal and his disorientation almost resulted in a goal in the first minute when he pulled an Arnold Origi from Gitau’s backpass. En route to clearing the ball, he significantly missed, and were it not for lady lack the team would have been a goal behind. However, the ever consistent and dependable Babu immediately put the incident in the past and continued to put on one of his best performances between the posts. It is high time to name him the king of one on one because the number of times he bailed the team out someone needs to award him a trip to the spa and have his fingers massaged. Double trouble Steve and Kamdam were for the first time both missing at the same time, their visa denied for the weekend, though close sources indicate it’s the lack of Koroga this weekend that cost the team its two first-choice center-back pairings. When one misses it’s an epidemic but when both miss out it’s a pandemic. Luckily Gitau, dependable like a maternity nurse came to the rescue, and he was partnered by the Doctor himself Senji dr. Senji dr. would have preferred the midfield especially on a day when central midfielders were lacking but paid for his versatility by starting at the back. Droopy rich kid arriving straight from JKIA on receiving his brand new white cleats that had just arrived from London via Dubai started on the left while Mitch, whose left leg can only serve for climbing the bed started on the right. Captain of the day Mathagani the workhouse served in front of the defense while Twinkle toes Trevor and Chubar the ankle-breaker provided the link to the striker. Assist leader Rasco and man on form Bill occupied the flanks. It is said that black magic doesn’t work in foreign lands and the biggest beneficiary has been Dubiz. Patola’s flight to the USA served to release Dubiz from his goal drought as he ran rampage the previous weekend and was rewarded with a start ahead of both Sisco and Yego. The first half was fast-paced, the team recovering from Babu’s mishap to dominate the game. The midfield proved itself against the opponents with Trevor, Chubar, and Mathangani linking excellently and releasing Rasco down the left. Rasco should have claimed at least five assists with Dubiz falling a victim of missing a tap in with the goal gaping. Whereas Rasco was having a field game receiving through ball at will, Bill suffered on the other end subjected to doing suicide runs as his sprints went unnoticed. The defense was also under significant pressure as the team penetrated its offside with fast one-two touches. A fast break from Bill who brought in a cross that resulted in several on-goal chances ended in a corner as Trevor’s well-struck shot was headed over the bar. The resulting corner whipped in by Rasco found the head of Gitau who made no mistake hitting the target. 1-0. The pressure was mounting with Bill winning possession on the right, beating a second defender, and squaring off for Trevor whose attempted flick was handled by the opponent. Penalty to PSC. Bill stood up and took it, sending the keeper the wrong way but Rasco had infringed on the 18-yard box resulting in a retake and a yellow card for Rasco. Bill stood again calm as a kite and took the penalty again and the result was the same. The penalty could have been taken 20 times but the result would have been the same. Touch of Class recovered from going two behind with mounting pressures and was soon rewarded with a goal. A scuffle on the right that resulted in a knee injury for Matha allowed the ball to be switched to the left-wing where a deflected shot beat Babu at the new post. Matha who had been the best player on the pitch had to be taken off, a big loss for the team, we hope for his quick recovery and return to the team. Droopy took the armband and Mwai slotted in midfield. Touch of Class boasted by the goal continued to raid as Chubar, Trevor and Rasco mounted attacks down the left. Bill remained isolated on the right, the passes too far in between to get him going. The whistles went in for the break. 2-1 In came hard-tackling Waire for Mitch and PSC top scorer Sisco for Dubiz. The second half picked from the first half the team unsettled and Touch of Class controlling play. PSC played into the opponent’s game with the quick as counter-attacking football formed the basis of the game. Little game build-up as the midfield was overlooked Mwai chasing shadows at the center of the pack as long balls were switched to attack. Erico was brought in for Bill and picked off where Bill left, running suicides without the ball, the midfield again guilty of only passing towards one side. Karani also came in for Droopy as Rasco was pushed towards left-back but the cutting edge was still lacking. The quick ball exchanges made it difficult for the subs to adapt to the pace of the game, as PSC remained unsettled, and on the back foot, Sisco missing in action was unable to get a shot on goal but with little passes coming his way he can’t be blamed. Versatile Brian Yego was brought in for Rasco as Waire who was having one of his most unlucky days was again unsettled to a different wing. A great passing move in the midfield between Trevor and Chubar had Trevor beat a player, make a faint and backheeled for Chubar who made no mistake placing the ball at the back of the net with a finesse shot from 30 yards. No sooner had the celebrations for Chubar’s well-taken goal occurred when PSC conceded again from a defensive lapse. A save by Babu was not followed up, with the opponent capitalizing on goal. 3-2 Trevor was lost to injury as Yego stepped up from the bench and minutes after coming on had a wonderful one-on-one chance which he squandered. Had the top striker known how little of the ball he would receive he would have made use of the opportunity. Mwai was hooked off for Petro as Karani moved into midfield. The game never truly settled as PSC played right into Touch of Class especially in the second half. Mwai remained isolated in the midfield especially off the ball with the opponents enjoying “singi” with him as his other midfielders abandoned their defensive duties. The strikers were guilty of not pressing the opponents’ defense allowing so much space and overload in the midfield. With Trevor and Chubar doing the striker’s jobs of pressuring the defense a gap was left in midfield causing problems to the defense. Off the ball the team was generally poor while on the ball the team adapted to the opponent's game choosing to drive the ball and quickly counterattack instead of building play. Mwai used to be fed by Kamdam and Steve from the back found it difficult to get into the game as the new defense preferred to go wide with the passes or catch the opposing defense on the counter. Sisco shifted in various positions in the game and was unable to click with his lack of shot on target an indication of the team’s lack of producing clear-cut chances in the final third. The substitute never picked up into the game hence were ineffective in changing the gameplay. The pace of the game significantly decreased after PSC's second game and to great lengths relied on the superb efforts of Babu or the brilliance of Trevor and Chubar. Waire didn’t connect to any of his headers while Mitch was not as effective in his one on one duels in the first half. The midfield was guilty of starving off both Bill and Erico effectively killing one wing the entire match. Brilliant play from Chubar, Trevor, and one on one master Babu must be recognized. Droopy provided consistency and did not disappoint while Bill despite never getting opportunities had a hand in each of the goals as his drives were always a threat. Rasco was hard done for not getting more than one assist and Dubiz having had a great game should have at least scored a goal. A big shout out to the Doctor and Gitau at the back as they were stable throughout the game. The two won all their aerial and ground battles, forcing all attacks on the wings. They were also great going forward for corners with Gitau heading in a bullet of a header. With a lot to improve and more matches to come, the team would be faced with the task of returning to the basics. There were too many foul throws for one game, too many 50 -50 battles lost, too many missed passes and too many mistakes in one game. As we continue to strive to win games let's not forget the simplicity of the game which is to enjoy. To enjoy every moment that we are on the pitch. Enjoy the passes, the one-twos, playing from the back which had formed an identity for PSC-Out of Town.
