Clifton FC v Segas FC (Div 2)
It was the first game back for 2016 for The Mighty Orange army after the festive period which saw us take on Segas for Div 2. With a strong 13 of New year sale shopper dodgers spirits where high. Marvel back on the decs in the changing room got all the boys up for it and relaxed! With more of a Sunday morning warmup (which saw quite a few tutu moments shame it wasn't a competitive game) the pitch seemed a good size and held up well to alot of rain.
The team was named and we set up in an unfamiliar 4-1-4-1 with Mark R starting in the middle and hoping to get a solid 5 minutes under his belt doubling is last 3 games game time! With a tactical loose of the toss we had kick off and was down hill first. We kicked off kept the ball nice for 4/5 passes then dropped Reevesy in a little early touch (massive error) Keeping up with 2015 he set their forward in lovely and he slotted it home...10 secs 1 nil down. We love a quick start! ! Kicked off again and we tried settling into our new formation. They were slightly the better side but we managed to keep them out and we're soon back in it after a route one goal flicked on by Lendog and Scotty fumbled the ball in!Our only other good chance of the half came when Scotty went through 1 on 1..he opened his body up and stroked the ball just inside the upright.....when I say upright I mean the corner flag!!
We held our own but were still getting used to the new formation.Marvel tried to influence the game by smashing the ref over while calling "Get on the weights! !" Just before half time with a bit of statue defending and lazy tracking they scored a good header to make it 2-1. Came in halftime half happy with new set up and still to be in the game.
Second half saw us switch to another new formation of 3-5-2. This proved to make a difference and we started the half the better side. It also saw the introduction of the second Bushwacker Duncans younger brother Gareth and the Juggler between the sticks.Soon we had a free kick and with Mark R on cloud 9 after seeing out 45 mins and covering a solid 0.25km in the first half he stepped up to take it. With looping ball towards the far post everyone watched the ball drop in the back of the net the game was a Desmond.
They had a half chance soon after with a little lob effort straight at Mark but with the Juggler name tag in the back of his mind and cameras at the ready on the side line he wasn't taking any chances and tipped the ball over. If u check FB now it's already his profile pic!! We pushed on and lots of 1 2s in the middle we started to get a foot hold in the game,with the tag team at the back ironing out anyone who dared to get near our box! Soon we had a corner and Lendog rose up while grabbing pinching and biting the centre half's and nodded the ball home although Scotty tried to get the final touch but looked more like a scene from Deadliest Catch!!
We now were bossing the game and with a series of lovely 1 2s between Marvel and Lendog,Marvel slid a lovely left foot cross into Andy to have an easy finish 4-2! We now killed the game and soon it was 5-2 after a 1 on 1 finish from Andy. In a strange turn of events the Gaffer brought on Reevsey up top to try and redeem his first half error! Could have been in after a lovely through ball from Rick to Marvel but the Skip over looked the Unit of a make shift forward and fizzed the ball into Lendog who forced the keeper into a save.
The game was now well a truly a formality with us looking just to see the game out and enjoy the remaining time of the game. Gareth and Dunc continued to smash bods all over the place how they made some challenges is amazing it's like they must have been gymnasts in a former life 😳 Alberto then came on and showed us all a top bit of Italian sneaky skill. After a lovely no look pass from Len instead of going at the vunurable keeper he chose to win us a corner but falling over the ball then kicking it off one of they're players!!
Game finished and we started 2016 with a solid win with a few new formations under our belt! All positives going into the top of the table clash next week.
Come on you Clifton 🍊⚽
