REAL DUNDONALD went away to FULHAM COMPTON CASUALS in Putney, South West London this morning for a Quarter Final match in The Mrs Hickey Cup.....The game started with FCC really taking the game to REAL, REAL seemingly in a relaxed mode, lacking fight and inviting pressure on themselves, it was as if REAL had taken FULHAM COMPTONS name "CASUAL".... at times REAL were virtually hemmed in their own half, REAL time and time again gave away needless free-kicks, some in dangerous positions just outside their penalty box, FCC also enjoyed quite a few corners in the first 15 minutes, RADFORD was kept unusally busy in his goal, coming out and using his height to defend the threat by FCC.....with such a casual start it was no surprise when REAL fell behind to a sweet lob after lackluster, almost "yeah whatever" defending by REAL, FCC striker hitting a first time lob from 25 yards which gave RADFORD no chance... 1-0, as so often happens with REAL, this goal conceded changed their mood.....REAL started to press FCC back into their half now with slightly more creative football, although REAL were really far from their best this morning....on the 20th minute INGRAM took a short corner to HARVEY, HARVEY shooting on target but the GK was equal to it......moments later ALDERSON playing a peach of a ball (slicing the defence open) to HARVEY who then slipped in AL-MAJALI who should really have pulled the trigger first time, however AL-MAJALI took a few touches and went to the right of the goal and some good defending denied him this time, FCC still had the majority of chances on goal in this first half, but some fine openings on goal were not taken advantage of due to poor finishing....a short while later HARVEY and AL-MAJALI played a superb one-two (instigated by ALDERSON) HARVEY shooting a fierce first time shot stinging the GKs hands im sure ........it seemed just as ALDERSON was getting into his 'Footballer' stride bad luck came his way, ALDERSON took a nasty late challenge on his ankle and although he bravely tried to run it off he never really recovered, it was just before halftime when he had to be replaced...replaced by Stephen YOUNG (the most influential player in REALS history) YOUNG hasn't featured for a while because of injury and other commitments, but YOUNG is such a great/experienced player to have on the bench, and he turned out to be the MOTM today!!......anyway the best chance of REALS patchy 1st half fell to HARVEY after clever, neat work by HAYES, HAYES (playing in behind AL-MAJALI today) always has an eye for a pass, so after putting HARVEY clean through on the left wing it looked like HARVEY would open his account for REAL but his shot went wide..........The 2nd half saw REAL DUNDONALD introduce their Top Goalscorer GYLES (for HOOPER), another influential player to come off the bench, the half-time team talk produced questions about the "Desire to reach The Semi-Finals".....now the opening of this half saw REAL step up a gear although good defending by FCC stopped REAL countless times, REAL started to get a foothold on the game JAMES and YOUNG alive in the centre of the park, HAYES now moved to RM linking well with YOUNG, GYLES and the busy AL-MAJALI.....a corner kick by INGRAM saw YOUNG head the ball across FCC goal GYLES coming close with a headed attempt but again FCC defended well.....GUADAGNO came on just after the hour mark (for INGRAM) GUADAGNO being his lively, niggling self, bringing an abundance of energy with him that was much needed, and seemed to give REAL a lift......also REAL had two penalty appeals turned down by the Ref, one claim after AL-MAJALI was dragged down the other GYLES having his standing leg swiped out from beneath him.....GYLES then had another chance cleared off the line after a dangerous cross by HOPKINS, HOPKINS a constant threat from his favoured RB position...midway through the half FCC had the ball in the net from a header, but the goal was disallowed for a push on NUTTALL......HAYES then had a decent shot saved by the GK after linking well with JAMES and GYLES, HAYES coming in from the right and hitting a left footed shot....GYLES pulled out a wonderful save from the FCC GK after making space for himself to let one go from just inside the box, although REAL were piling on the pressure they were really far from their best today....for 80 minutes REAL were behind but never panicked, always calm, always confident in their abilities, always BELIEVING!!...NUTTALL (skipper) roaring them forward with words of encouragement...."NOW FOR THE QUALITY on the 84th minute".....AL-MAJALI was kept relatively quiet for this Cup tie, being man-marked (by a good defender) against his former club... but a player of his ability you must NOT give him an inch of space ...JAMES won the ball in midfield then found YOUNG who finds GYLES, GYLES with his back to goal knocks a ball inside to AL-MAJALI, AL-MAJALI takes a touch to set himself up before unleashing a beautiful curling shot from outside the area "TOP CORNER TOO" a goal which really changed everything, celebrations were wild, celebrations were as if that was the winning goal, but it was only the equalizer!!!!! NOW REAL SMELT BLOOD!!!!!! Now FCC knew they were in big trouble.....AL-MAJALI and GYLES both had chances to wrap it up moments later, the influential YOUNG winning aerial balls in the middle of the park, YOUNG probing forward with the ball at his feet constantly looking for "Those Two" at every opportunity.....the winner came from a sweet counter-attacking move in the 90th minute...FCC having a corner well defended by REAL, WILLIAMS clearing the ball from danger, his clearance dropping to the forward running... who? YOUNG... YOUNG looping a teasing ball in between FCC defenders and their GK...GYLES (number 10) the only one up top in this late stage of the game swiftly reacting chasing the ball.....the goalkeeper had left his line but there was only going to be one winner, to be fair the GK put his body in the way of the ball to deny GYLES'S first attempt but the ball trickled off the goalkeeper for GYLES to put into a empty net....1-2 To THE REAL DUNDONALD........Beautiful for REAL...Heartbreaking for FCC who were a well organised team today.
IT SEEMS LIKE REAL DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY ARE BEATEN, to win like that after so long behind speaks volumes!!!!
REAL DUNDONALD ENTER THEIR FIRST EVER SEMI-FINAL on 14th APRIL 2013!!!!!
A LONG WAY TO GO STILL....REAL CANNOT AFFORD TO GET COMPLACENT.
HARDWORK IS AHEAD
KEEP THE FAITH!!!! KEEP FOCUSED!!!!!
FCC Manager wished REAL DUNDONALD all the best for the season (via txt message) which is respectful and nice.........
Uncle Bob
