TWFC

In picking sides Scott allowed the Muftis free reign to choose a team comprising the two most powerful shooters at the fixture, Yannick, who in warm up proved an accomplished marksman, the player with possibly the best cardiovascular engine and Michael whom we now know to be a ball wizard. Surely this was destined to be the night that the Muftis would bounce back from their notably low score of only six goals the previous week; or would Scott's quiet confidence be vindicated.

As Arik and Niyi discussed the sartorial subtleties of wearing an orange bib on a red top and who should go in goal, unbeknown to them the match started. It was a bit Keystone Cops, noticing the gentlemanly tête-à-tête the opposition simply booted the ball into the net and signalled their intention to score a hat full.

Within the first quarter of the match the Muftis had passed the dangerous 2 - 0 score and reached 4 - 1 before the Bibs got to grips with the attacking juggernaut they were facing. How to deal with a strike force unlike any previously assembled in our 5 asides was the conundrum for the team that Scott made. Koonal scored, Yannick opened his account, Nathan and Tim did what they do best and after bamboozling the whole of the Bibs' defence then philosophically contemplating if he had created a big enough gap even Michael decided to score.

But it wasn't one way traffic, with Danny and Scott alternating between the right and middle and Anthony coming in from the left the Bibs formed an arrow head that attempted to lance through the Mufti's defence to pick off the odd goal here and there. Pulling the score back to 8 - 6 the Bibs were denied an immediate seventh goal when the Muftis claimed their new man was actually walking the ball up to the center circle to kick off when he was tackled. There had not been a single center after the previous 14 goals but our rules allow deference to new players and the Muftis controversially used up their allocation.

Arik blocked a Nathan shot from only a yard away and the pile driving force turned his ankle, laying him out for almost two minutes. He bravely carried on and went on to perform heroics in goal on one leg.

With their player injured the Bibs knuckled down to another level and consolidated their comeback. The two sides then played out a close fought encounter until at 13 - 13 the Bibs scored again. With the time at 9.11 pm Arik and Scott had to leave and the consensus from some of their team was the evening was over.

The battle hardened Muftis were adamant that as no other team wanted the pitch the evening should continue.

Yannick was transferred to the Bibs and those present agreed that a new match should commence.

Bibs - Anthony, Danny, Niyi, Yannick,

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Muftis - Nathan, Koonal, Tim, Michael

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With the Bibs' captain having gone home the Muftis gave them that look, reminiscent of playground days, that meant 'now you are in for it !'. Tired, hot and exhausted from clawing back the first match the Bibs went at the Muftis like that little guy everyone remembers from school who just didn't know when he was beaten.

The Bibs leapt to a 2 - 0 lead which grew to 4 - 0 with the new force of Anthony, Danny and Yannick deftly executing counter attacks with surgical precision. When asked if they had had enough the Muftis demanded the game carry on.

As the minutes ticked by it was clear that players were tiring and scoring became a matter of getting ones angles right. Koonal, Nathan, Tim and Michael had their chances but the angles were just not in their favour. At 5 - 0 the Muftis bravely insisted the match continue. Finally after over half an hour of the second match at 8 - 0 to the Bibs even the Muftis were prepared to concede the evening was over.

Match 1 awarded to the Bibs 14 - 13

Match 2 awarded to the Bibs 8 - 0

Things to Note

The lads send their congratulations to Jorge and family on their new arrival.
Yannick joins that illustrious group of players who scored at least a hat trick on their debut.
For the first time in recent years a goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in an even sided match.