TWFC

12 club members booked on to the fixture and Eddie117 gave us the heads up that the team after us would not be coming. We knew we could have a extra time, if we wanted it, what a joy.

There were no cameras present tonight. As a club we have been a bit remiss as we have not really asked our broadcasters if they are affected by, or involved in, the current American film and television production disputes. Probably best to get the captain to deal with it if the blackout continues next match.

The Mufti took an early lead and never really looked back. It is fair to say that Sadulla was on fire and at the heart of many a sortee as he either scored or master minded assists. Elvis is believed to have bagged at least five goals. At some points it was unnerving to see a forward line of Elvis, Sadulla and Mash10 passing the ball across the front of the Blue Bibs' penalty area as they leisurely worked out who was in the best position to score the perfect goal. When that triumvirate felt like a rest one of them could fall back and BILZ96 would step in. All of the while one could hear VIIGeorgeVII literally coaching his squad through the tactics required to beat their opponents.

It was not all one way traffic as Eddie117 pulled goals back for the Blue Bibs.

The Blue Bibs noticed that in sitting back VIIGeorgeVII was often very close to the edge of his own penalty area. Eventually VIIGeorgeVII was adjudged to have committed an area encroachment infringement. He was penalised with a penalty which Leonalexis dispatched past Steve. With this goal it meant that both Eddie117 and Leonalexis joined the ranks of players who have scored on their TWFC debut.

The Blue Bibs did not seem to be in any danger of giving away a penalty for defending on the edge of their area. However, after what seemed an innocuous clearance Mufti players claimed Jimmy9 had stepped into his own penalty area as he played the ball. Despite Jimmy9 freezing on the spot and being clearly outside of the area, Sadulla was quietly persuasive that he had at one point stepped through the area. Other Mufti just demanded a penalty but could not cogently argue their case as Jimmy9 remained frozen clearly outside of the box. The penalty claim was rejected and the ball booted back up pitch for the Mufti's keeper to restart play. However, all of the while Sadulla quietly and insistently continued his discourse on the merits of his claim for a penalty. Then as if by magic the dissenting players were under, the ball was retrieved and put on the penalty spot. Only Jimmy9 did not fall under Sadulla's spell. Sadulla converted his penalty and stopped any momentum the Blue Bibs might have been building.

We suspect that in order to avoid another penalty area sanction VIIGeorgeVII stepped further up pitch and continued his coaching from closer to midfield. This led to him conceding a penalty by bringing down a Blue Bibs' player who was through on a goal scoring opportunity. Eddie117 converted this penalty.

Three penalties, taken three penalties scored. Two penalties scored by players on their debut.

Jimmy9 also took the game to the Muftis with attacking close control that few players can deal with. JonF always scores against Steve and Hagenius had to weigh in with goals for the Blue Bibs in an effort to keep the score competitive.

Sadulla was having a field day and in one of his forays on goal he had so much poise and time he was able to jink one way and then the other until the wrong footed keeper just collapsed leaving the goal open for him to roll the ball home. Never one to be magnanimous to a bedraggled opponent VIIGeorgeVII was heard to exclaim something about Sadulla having sent Niyi to the shops. We are not sure what this means but it sounded irritating enough to have the desired humiliating effect.

Under VIIGeorgeVII's stewardship the Mufti were out scoring the Blue Bibs and falling back to defend like Trojans. VIIGeorgeVII was in effect out maneuvering a Coach Hagenius team. The apprentice was beating the master and no one in a Blue Bib had the answer. Getting fed up with picking the ball out of his net the Blue Bibs' keeper began punting the ball up pitch to the far corner. Players seemed shocked at this and eventually Coach Hagenius was seen to be about to depart the fixture. He was persuaded to stick at the game, under no circumstances could our coach be seen to be frustrated off of the pitch. When VIIGeorgeVII cleanly rifled a shot from distance into the space between the Blue Bibs' keeper and his right post the Blue Bibs players could not stomach his grin which had now become as wide as the proverbial Cheshire Cat. It was decided the night was over. Then in the spirit of 1990s compassion, where no young person could be told they had lost, the players agreed we should reset the match but the sides would remain the same. Senior players are advised that there is no scope for 'resetting' when a team is losing. Perhaps it can be done for the Under 7s but after that we have to learn to win, lose or draw.

Both Eddie117 and Leonalexis scored multiple goals on their debuts. Eddie117 probably got five or six. Leonalexis scored a peach of a header to become only the second player in the club's records to score a header and the first ever recorded on their debut.

Both Steve and Niyi agreed that even in the absence of video footage Sadulla was clear and away the top goal scorer with at least seven goals. He was probably followed by Eddie117 and Elvis. Match ball awarded to Sadulla.

Final Score

Mufti 18 - 11 Blue Bibs

Main match awarded to the Mufti.

Has VIIGeorgeVII become the new Jose Mourinho? Is he now that manager who can coach a side to rock the world of any opponent he chooses? Is the club entering the GeorgeVII era?

Let's do it all again next game at Tottenham Wednesday FC.

Things to Note

As I write this it is with deep sadness that I record the passing of one of football's most recognisable and respected players ever.

Rest in Peace Sir Robert Charlton CBE 11 October 1937 - 21 October 2023.

Football League, FA Cup, European Cup and World Cup winner. Ballon d'Or, Footballer of the Year, World Cup Golden Ball, FIFA World Cup All-Star Team. Incomparable in English Football. A true knight of the game.