TWFC

Following on from Ben the previous week, Koonal graced this fixture with a new pair of highly luminous Adidas boots (other brands are available). Possibly responding to the brand support from Ben and Koonal we understand that Nike immediately hit back by signing up the sprinter Justin Gatlin to a lucrative sponsorship deal. Only time will tell if this somewhat divisive decision was a knee jerk reaction or a stroke of genius by the global firm.

The match was a close knit parry and thrust affair with each side choosing to adopt the more traditional formation of at least one defender, a couple of attacking midfielders and alternating strikers. The balance seemed to be with the Bibs who conspired to stay just ahead for most of the night. Ben carried on from where he had left off the previous week and found himself assisted by AlMaher and fed by Jon and Arik.

Steve and Niyi have an interesting rivalry where each normally plays on opposite sides doing their best to keep goals out, so when one faces the other in goal it is something of a chess match. Steve won this week by running the ball to the edge of the area and maintaining his composure long enough to dink the ball expertly over the diving keeper into the net . Steve had in effect exposed the significant frailty that when keeping Niyi favours diving, possibly even more than some average modern day strikers, and as such will be beaten by any attacker who holds their nerve before shooting.

With very bright boots on it meant Koonal was expected to score or else be subjected to questions about the true intent behind his purchase. He duly obliged and therefore vindicated his style. Nathan also took the opposition to task with one goal being so good that it drew stunned plaudits from onlookers.

Jorge is already known for his ability to transfer the ball from right to left foot and back again and spin on a sixpence (OK lets modernise - spin on a Euro) and weave between players before scoring. This is the sort of move we should be used to by now as it has been perfected by Arik and is a pleasure to watch. Of equal joy to behold this evening was one of the best saves in recent times. A Bibs' attack culminated in a sweet shot by JonF arrowed straight towards the corner at about three foot off of the ground, the perfect height to beat the keeper in our size goals. In goal Jorge saw this strike and launched himself to his right to pull off a two handed save pushing the ball around the post. A picture is below for those who were not present to admire it.

A stunt double recreating Jorge's save

Arik called him Casillas for this effort, which is apparently one of the highest praises that can be heaped upon a Spanish goalkeeper.

Despite all of these heroics the Bibs remained ahead of the Muftis and they were heading for yet another victory. At about 14 - 12 to the Bibs the Muftis discussed a tactical adjustment which involved exploiting free space and looking for passes to the man in that space rather than passing to more obvious but marked players. This was termed as finding the Free Man which, in homage to the 1960 series The Prisoner , morphed into a shout of 'do not look for the number, look for the free man !'. This paid dividends as despite his tenacity even JonF could not put out a team that could anticipate movements into space, particularly against tricky players like Milo and Koonal who could ghost around the pitch. Over time the score was leveled at 16 - 16.

The right thing to do would have been to declare a noble draw as each side had fought the good fight and were even. However, the other team did not arrive and the warrior in each player believed their team could win.

Already on a two match losing streak, that had resulted in 43 goals against, Niyi came out of goal and thereby disrupted what was a perfectly balanced Mufti's outfield formation. JonF thrives on such errors of judgment and while relying on Arik and Steve to shore up his defence he set about taking apart the Muftis with Ben and AlMaher.

By 9:30 it was all over, the Bibs had crafted a noble victory.

Match awarded to the Bibs 21 - 16

Things to Note

CALLING ALL CURRENT PLAYERS REGULAR AND NOT SO REGULAR (Tim you too)

Our next match is on April Fools day. This occurs only once every five or so years. With this in mind players are called to turn up to play a match where anything legal goes, if the other team do not arrive we will play till lights out. Yes any outrageous skills will be accepted on 1st April. The only thing that will be frowned upon is the 'Ave It 'skill' of booting the ball over the roofs.

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