Boing FC 2-3 SBA FC

Incredibly, nobody at our end could be asked to write a report after a fantastic away win over the local rivals. Fortunately, I found this one on the internet, posted by the West Brom's Matt- all typos and grammar errors are his. It's a great report, as he can actually remember a load of our players' names. Cheers Matt, sorry for stealing your prose. Still, it wasn't on the Boing page when I checked, otherwise I could've just included a link to it!
-Dan in Japan

From: "Matt & Angela"
Date: Sun Jul 4, 2004 7:39 pm
Subject: [Friendly Result] Boing FC 2 - 3 Coventry SBA (inc Match Report)

As we continued our WorldNET warm up fixtures, yesterdays game saw us take on a Coventry side for the third time this season. Having drawn 3-3 at Coventry early in the season, then winning 4-2 last time they visited us.

Its always good competitive game against the SBA lads, however, also one of the friendliest too. Putting a whole new meaning to 'can we play you every week'.

Before the fixture kicked off, their Gaffer, Tim James was concerened that he wouldnt be able to raise enough players, so I recruited a few extras just in case to help them out. Both teams ended up with squads of around 18 making mine and Tim's jobs a little more difficult than usual to give everyone a fair run out.

Coventry win the toss and turn us around. Our captain Stuart Slater is usualy so good at tossing and its rare for him to lose out. We started the game with the wind behind us and lined up as the following.

GK Si Field

RB Col Fisher
LB Chinner
CB Cuzer
CB Colon

LW Stu Slater
RW Sonic
CM Mavis
CM Beast

FW Wedgie
FW Dave C

Boing FC started the stronger, with the wind behind us and some crisp passing we took a very early 1-0 lead through Dave C. Good build up play working the ball accross the midfield saw a through ball break to his feet and an early shot saved from a corner. Slater whipped the resulting corner in near post and Dave nodded the ball home.

After this the game became more open and both teams had chances. Russell Orton making his debut for SBA was composed at right back and took the opportunity to break forward. While Tim James marshalled his troops from the back. Joe also began to impose his game on the Midfield more and had Boing chasing shadows at time.

An interesting midfield battle was developing between Beast and Liam of SBA. Our 6ft 6 enforcer against SBA's pocket battle ship. However, this was cut short when Tim James was injured after Dave C ran through on goal and the resulting tackles ended up with four players in a heap on the floor and the Cov Gaffer took the brunt of it and had to limp off for a short time. Seeing Liam drop into the SBA defensive line up.

Changes were made by Boing FC after the 25-30 minute mark. Seeing Strode come on at right back. Funster and Finbarr having a run out up front while Paul came on to the left wing.

Secons before the half time whistle, Cuzer was sold a little short (allegedly) by his brother Chinner and got caught in possession. An SBA winger broke with the ball and squared it accross the box. The SBA forward hit it home from about 10 yards. Si Field did very well to get a hand on it, but couldnt quite manage it.

Its difficult to remember events in a chronological order, but I can recall the following positives that can be drawn from our first half play.

Si Field did everything he could in goal and played very well and was unlucky with the equaliser. Colon making his debut for the team was everything we knew he was in seeing him play at westbrom.com. Strong, Composed and commanding a fantastic addition to the squad! However, the more I see him the more the Colon tag will be dropped and a George Dawes one introduced !!!!

Cuzer was his usual vocal and commanding self and Chinner despite being ugly got up and down the left wing scaring all those who opposed him witha blond permed mullet.

Col Fisher and Strode were exceptional at right back keeping a rather acey left winger in check for most of the half. Paul Hunt came on and his industry down the left should have earnt him a goal if he had taken on a shot just slightly earlier than he did.

Sonic & Slates offered some good interchangeable wing play. Stu delivered some great set pieces in the first half one which resulted in our goal! While Sonic was one of the few players who was composed at all time knowing when to dribble, when to pass and when to go long. His defensive cover can also be comended.

Mavis and Beast controlled the midfield at times. Both showing that they are composed on the ball and can distribute it well. Was pleased to see Mavis slotting in to the back four when Cuzer went marrauding forward on a few occassions.

Ian Wedge hels up the ball like a young Bob Taylor, Funster came on with his usual intellegent runs, but it just wasnt quite working for him infront of goal. And finally Finbarr with his moments of brazillian magic never seen before from him was it a fluke or a new skill, we will see next week.

HALF TIME Boing FC 1 - 1 Coventry SBA

The half time team talk revolved around doing the basics again like we had started to in beginning of the first half. Passing the ball short to feet, play the way you are facing if required, play to feet and relax on the ball, then try and pass and move. Obviousally my team talks are nothing but reverse psyhcology as the team did the complete opposite of what I asked them to do.

Tim Davies came into centre midfield for the second half, while Nick 'OLE' Bramwell, slotted in on the right side of Midfield shortly after the half time break. After being at a wedding selebration the night before, he wasnt looking his best!

Coventry put on a young lad who we had not played against before by the name of Germaine, he was rather Joachim-esque and a handful up front. To be honest I was waiting for Cuzer to get the chance to put him in the stands, but he seemed to steer clear of our Mullet the Elder and the chance to play our reducer never materilaised.

The next goal was an absoloute screamer from 20+ yards out from the left of the goal. Not sure who scored it for the Cov lads, but he picke dit up about 30 yards out beat one man then let fly with an absoloute belter.

More Boing FC rolling subs were made and the shape of the team was becoming a little bit ragged as can often happen with such a large squad. Thanks to Paul Hunt usually a left winger who slotted in a right back making my life easier to accommodate everyone.

Coventry increased their lead to 3-1 as Joe of SBA went on a mazey run down the left wing beating 3 Boing FC players. Colon managed to show him the outside taking him to the by-line, but Joe squeezed in a shot from a very acute angle.

SBA had the better of the second half. Sonic on our left getting frustrated witha lack of service when he was more open than a 24 hr supermarket!

Enter the cripple. (Me) Nursing sore ribs, a dodgy left knee and a weak right ankle I hobbled like a young Albert Steptoe into the game. A long ball found my chest instant control under the attentions of a 6ft + centre back, my obligatory stepover away from another challenge and I cut inside accross the face of the box playing Beast in with a slide rule pass, which he finshed with a chip over the keeper. Sorry to blow my own trumpet, but my 5 minute cameo saw strength, control, skill and vision but with managing the team my run outs have been rather rare this season, so please afford me this little indulgence and please feel free to liken my skills to an aging Thomas Brolin as usual.

The fun part of this conselation goal was that myself and Beast attended his brothers engagement party last night. First of all congratulaitions to Jay Phillips on is engagement to his new Fiance Sally. Hopefully this wont stop our old skipper from making it to Boing games next season! Back to the fun part, Bease took delight in telling everyone there about his goal and of course introducing me to describe my role in it.

Anyway the game finished 2-3 to Coventry SBA. It was a fun game and it could have gone either way, but SBA just edged it on the day. Thanks to Tim for bringing a team down to play us. And we all hope they have a succesful WorldNET and we look forward to seeing them in a couple of weeks up at Leeds.

Thank you to Bagpuss, Cuzer, Beast, Colon and Strode who all helped with either reffing or being a Linesman.

A great big thank you to Si Field and Mavis who both had a half in goal. Thats extended from myself and all of the team.

Finally a special mention to Jay 'The Shadow' Challenor who has an injury and to Mark 'The Brace' Benbow who was on international duty in the England v Portugal supporters game organised by Leicester City fans Electric Yetis.

Now for everyones favourites Match Report slot:

TAXI: This week it goes to Dave 'Buttercup' Challenor for his dive in the box. Gets a nudge but stays on his feet, but then over runs it. Decides it might be a good idea to go down now and falls over in installments. 1 player over 24 seconds at 10% APR.

SHOWBOAT: The Mighty Finbarr. Usually linked with defensive skills such as heading, tackling, blocking and generally getting in the way. Fin produced a chest control, a drag back, a step over, yes a step over, and then found his man with the pass. Not exactly Ronaldhino, but all things are relative and the big man gets my Showboat award for this week!