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SLAYER GO MARCHING ON WESTCLIFFE FC 1
SLAYER FC 4 F McCormack (2) I Cockerill (1) D Yates (1) |
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The final game before Prague this year saw Slayer lose by a solitary goal to Westcliffe. This time round the result was quite different. They are a funny team to play against with the 'Monk' and his son 'Jethro' combining forces. Jethro played in the middle of the park this time where perhaps his 'Razor Ruddock' style of football was not particularly effective. The Monk ploughed a lonely furrow up front trying to head everything with his slaphead, even those balls played to his feet. In fairness, neither team looked like scoring early on and it took a set piece to break the deadlock. Nick S pinged in one of his effective corners which somehow missed everyone and seemed destined to go out of play. However, swooping in at the back was Lee (making his second Slayer appearance) who crossed the ball back perfectly for Ian to volley sweetly into the back of the net - good to see Slayer's own Paul Scholes opening his account this season. Slayer then scored a second from a set piece. I cannot recall the exact circumstances of it suffice to say I saw a gleeful Dave Yates pouncing on the ball one yard out to score his second goal in two games. That makes Dave second highest scorer this season although the anticipated return of Jonah will no doubt rectify this anomaly. I don't recall much attacking threat from Westcliffe in the first half apart from Jethro's long throws, so I apologise to Julian for any fantastic saves he made which I have overlooked. Half time 2 - 0 |
Half time saw the arrival of Alex who claimed he had been working since 3am that morning. He quickly stripped off and asked what position he was needed in. "If you could run the line that would be great" came the response. The second half was again a bit scrappy or maybe my memory is suffering. I can remember the next bit because Fred scored. Some good work down the left by Andre and Ian resulted in the ball breaking loose just outside the penalty area. Nick S made a strong challenge which resulted in the ball falling to Fred who swept it home. "That was just like Thierry Henry" said Fred to himself. Westcliffe's only notable chance saw them pull a goal back. Steve W was in little danger as he brought the ball out of defence. Opting to ignore the simple pass in front of him he spotted Andre 35 yards away on the left. Steve knew that a Glenn Hoddle style pass would overcome the three Westcliffe players in front of Andre and leave him free to run in on goal. Steve stuck the ball well and found the first of these Westcliffe players brilliantly. The ball was passed to Jethro who boomed in on goal. Julian got down well to parry his shot but a Westcliffe player following up prodded the ball home. Slayer have wobbled at points like this in past games but there was to be no repetition today. Man of the match Andre exchanged passes with Fred down the left and despite claims of offside, Fred calmly nut megged the Westcliffe keeper for goal number 11 of this campaign (69 in total Nick if you |
want to update the player stats). Time to bring on Alex for the final 15 minutes. Having been simmering on the sidelines for most of the second half Alex was keen to make his mark on the game. He did this by shouting at everyone to "give me the fucking ball". The full time whistle was blown by the ref and the 4 -1 scoreline was a fair reflection of Slayer's more incisive style of football. Most of the team repaired to the Pfizer bar afterwards where Alex made a speech, apologising for "being a twat". Man of the match: Andre Manouche Team : Julian, Nick S, Ian, Fred, Dave, Lee, Andre, Adam, Alec, Steve W, Mark C, Nick T |
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