|
Hachioji Park, Saturday 27th February.
We love 2010! Just like a cute Japanese t-shirt this is how the resurgent Sala feel. Continuing their current good form, Sala cruised past Saitama Jets 3-0 in the league, then bossed the Celts 3-1 in the cup, picking up deserved victories in both games. Jets were technical and fast without much threat and Celts were skillful, direct and physical without much speed. These are two styles that Sala love to play against and it showed in both games. Were it YCAC's or International's blend of speed, skill AND directness then no doubt Sala would have went down. Read on for all the juice from both games!
The Jets game was won with goals from Toby, Sam and Jesus. Whereas the Celts game was won with goals from Stu (honestly!), Koji and Toby. Celts solitary reply coming through a calamitous own-goal from Dan "worst jokes in the world " Bard.
The Jets game was even stevens for most of the first half, but with the brawn of a oba-san trying to get a seat on a packed train, Toby forced his way through the Jets defence, and whilst holding off the peskiest of Jets defenders, slotted past the keeper. The goal sent the mostly unrecognisable heads of the Jet's team tumbling and gave Sala the confidence to push on for more.
1-0 Sala.
In the second half, Sala threatened several times from range, the same way the Jets had in the first half, but it wasn't until a blunder from the Jet's keeper that Sala got their second. Having misjudged the bounce of a bobbling ball in the box, the keeper watched in agony as the ball fell kindly to the spry and ever-alert Sam, who controlled it and nudged it home. "It was a hard finish" Sam said later, but everyone just laughed including the nun and the fat controller. "Don't talk shite, Sam" was the general concensus. It was easier than a Daily Yomiuri crossword. But what can you expect from a lad who taught the Artful Dodger how to blag. 2-0 Sala.
Before Sala added their third, Lenny cleared two Jet's shots off the line which kept Sala's clean sheet in tact. This was reflective of the hard work Sala put in all over the park, and with Masa adding a touch of class in the opposing third when he swept over a sublime cross for Jesus to bullet home a bible busting header, it was clear Sala deserved to take home all three points. 3-0 Sala.
Man of the Match - Toby, for his goal and his all round play, just pipping Lenny.
Sinner of the Match - Not Jesus, that's for sure!
Hachioji Park, Sunay 7th March.
With a skip and a dash it's on to the Cup. Like Tottenham everyone loves a good cup game but unfortunately most teams hardly ever win it. Unpredictable by nature and format, full of dreams usually shattered, but occassionally realised, that's why we love it, and the TML Cup is no different. Unless your Jethro F.C. and can't be arsed turning up. Ouch!
Sala vs Celts was a mouthwatering tie as both teams are always evenly matched, physical and commited. Nothing changed in this match.
Celts had the better of the play early on, with Henry, playing striker, holding the ball up well and linking play with his orange-shoed compadre. However, once Sala's battle-hardened backline, led by Ian, and aided by Guido and Scotty in midfield, got to grips with Henry's threat, Sala were able to assert their dominance in midfield, where a few of the Celts midfielders went missing, and push play into the Celt's half.
With chances at a premium, Brookey came closest to scoring at his own end, looping a defensive header onto the bar. Close one! Dan, who was watching, obviously thought he could do better. And, later, he did.
Henry then rose above Guido, for one of the few times in the match, and narrowly missed with his own header from a corner, before Stu broke the deadlock. After a bit of pinball in the middle, Pete rolled his man which created space for Stu. Through on the keeper, he slotted a low composed finish between the keeper's legs. Usually noted for his workrate, hold-up play, terrible jumping ability and his uncanny resemblance to Big Bird from Sesame Street, it was a sweet moment to savour for the big lad, who was recently likened to Emile Heskey (without the 4 goals a season!) Double ouch! 1-0 Sala.
Minutes later, Stu was nearly through again after a lovely through ball from Masa but the Celts slammed the door shut. Sala who were getting caught out with off-sides regularly, then produced their best move of the match. Toby, Brookey and Sam fashioned a great crossing opportunity for Sam, who put in an excellent cross right on the penalty spot. Unfortunately, Stu was on the end of it, and with the leap of a sickly 5yr old child, he only succeeded in putting the corner flag in peril . For Sam though, it was a cross Theo Walcott would have been proud of. Actually, he's shite, so it was a cross my Great Auntie Helen would have been proud of. She's a cracking winger and does a mean line in ibuprofen gel rub. Great for the muscles.
Anyway, it looked like Sala would go in at halftime with a precious lead, however the Celts suddenly burst fortuitously back into the game with an OG. Like Dan's jokes it was pants but strangely amusing. Taylor parried a shot which Scotty should have cleared but his stride pattern was wrong (ingenius excuse), so he only managed to whack it off Irn Bru shoes. The ball ricocheted back across the Sala goal and Dan lunged at it poking it into his own net. Doh! This goal was almost as shocking as the death of Corey Haim at the age of 38. Will there ever be a teen-vampire movie as good as The Lost Boys? I think not. Anyway, thanks for the memories, Corey and thanks for nothing, Danny boy, ya flaming gala! 1-1.
Celts then came close with an industrious run and shot from Willow, before Koji came close for Sala. Koji wasn't going to keep the cameras waiting long though and he conjured up a cracking strike moments later. Always one with an eye for Sala's annual goal of the season competition, he met a defensive clearance full on the volley, pounding it into the top corner with his left peg. The keeper got a hand to it but couldn't deal with the power of the strike. 2-1 Sala.
At this point, Clarkey's wise halftime team talk started to make an impact too, and suddenly, the Celts' offside trap was like a hooker in Amsterdam; all over the place and totally up for grabs, with Pete especially, and Lenny, supplying through ball after through ball to anyone who wanted a shot at scoring.
Toby was at the front of the line. Getting all FIFA 2010 with himself, he first tried to chip the keeper from 30 yards but totally fluffed it. Then, he didn't push the d-pad away from the goal and put a header from Brookey's corner over the target. But finally, after holding the slow dribble button for what seemed like an eternity he guided a nice finish past the static Celts keeper. 3-1 Sala.
Sala were all over the Celts by now and Ryo should have made it four after taking Lenny's threaded through ball and cutting inside his marker but he finished too high.
With the Celts mustering little in reply the game finished with Sala marching into the semis.
Man of the Match - Guido. Lets smell what The Rock's cooking!
Sinner of the Match - Dan Bard. After the OG he then compounded matters by describing an ex-teammate's body as "hard ripped-ness". Oh dear.
Report by Scotty Thomson
|
