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Voodoo left feeling the bleus

Posted by Chris Golding on Nov 04 2003 at 04:00PM PST
Voodoo FC 2 Les Blues 2 (click for archive report) This was the sixth meeting between the two teams and the first under the new era of Voodoo FC. In the previous five encounters, Les Bleus and been beaten twice and have drawn three times. On this occasion they were certainly trying to end their hoodoo and attempt to score their first victory. After a typical start in the damp and windy conditions, both teams were looking to establish control. Voodoo started with a new strategy, employing a 4-5-1 formation, which seemed to unsettle them in the early exchanges as they tried to find their rhythm. After 15 minutes and with assistance from the wind, Les Blues took first blood. A corner taken on the left hand side swung in towards the goal, curled over the heads of all the Voodoo defense and as Chris Hughes came to receive, the wind took it threw his hands and in to the back of the net. As Voodoo tried to get back in to the game, their effort was not being matched by their cohesion. They looked disjoined and unbalanced and were continually being exposed through the middle, giving Les Bleus a growing optimism that this could be their day. Fortunately for Voodoo, Les Bleus were not able to capitalise during this period due to the Voodoo defense of Emsley, Hayward, Golding and Watson who prevented them from developing any serious threat on goal. As the match progressed, Voodoo began to gain more control of the ball but were still lacking the precision to create any clear chance. Finally, after wining a corner, the ball fell to Golding, who had advanced in the penalty area. He chested down to Simkiss, playing in an unfamiliar attcking role, standing inside the six yard box. He finished his opportunity reminiscent of the great ‘poacher’, Gary Lineker and stabbed the ball beyond the keeper to level the score before half time. In the second half, Voodoo were failing to find their passing game but still seemed to be taking control the hard way. Kinkade, who was promoted to captain for the day, seemed to lack his usual bite and uncharacteristically failed to hit the target when put through for a great chance on goal. Maybe it was the extra responsibility of captaining the side which disrupted his game or maybe it was his visitor, Dandy spice, who was watching from the shed end having made a surprise appearance to Tianma Stadium. However, Voodoo were slowly grinding their opposition down even if they weren’t doing it with any style. A shot from the right caused some disruption in the Les Blues defence and as the ball fell to KirkPatrick in the area, he was able to pass the ball home on the second attempt giving Voodoo the lead. It appeared that the game, although untidy, was wrapped up but a combination of Voodoo substitutions, French ‘joius de vive’ and misfortune, gave Les Blues a second bite at finally tipping the scales. Voodoo appeared to fall asleep and seemed to be thinking about a hot shower and Dr Howard’s therapy session in the Bamboo clubhouse. As Les Blues attacked, a ball through the Voodoo defense that had been bread and butter to the Voodoo sweeper all game, finally gave the French the break they had preyed for. As Chris Hughes came out to smother the ball, Golding’s attempt to clear it before it reached the penalty area, slipped under his boot. The contact took the ball away from the advancing Hughes and across the penalty area in to the path of several advancing white shirts who, unchallenged were able to steer the ball in to the empty net. This was a cruel blow to the Voodoo and the ageing star, who has been having a solid season, in what is rumored to be his retirement year. The French were thankful that he had finally put a foot wrong. The final ten minutes saw a late flurry from the envigoured Camembert’s who might well have taken the game and the points but for the inspired keeping of Hughes who saved two goal bound attempts pushing one on to the post. From a team that had been contained all morning, Les Blues finished the game on top and the Voodoo, who had arguably thrown away two more points, were fortunate not to be left empty handed. After the game Dr Howard commented. “Goldy (Golding) had a fantastic 89 minutes. His been very quiet in the dressing room and feels that he let us down with his mistake. He did keep a lot of other things out all game. We need to think about the overall fluidity of the team, the chances we never took and how to ensure our opposition don’t get given these opportunities again. We still remain unbeaten by Les Bleus.” Next week Voodoo take on the Latino’s. They have a week to put the wheels back on their wagon and show some consistency. Although their form so far has been erratic, they continue to occupy fourth slot and still have time to fulfil their potential. The board will be hoping that when they finally find their magic they will be able to hold a longer spell over their rivals. With only one third of the season gone and two cup competitions still to come they still have a lot to play for. For now, the ‘Les Blues hoodoo’ remains intact. Voodoo: DEFENSE. C. Hughes, Emsley, Golding, Hayward, Watson, MIDFIELD. Kirkpatrick, Lewis, Simkiss, Kinkade, Goodrick. STRIKERS. R. Hughes SUBS USED. Ji, Yap, Capes SUBS NOT USED. Peters Voodoo Man of the Match: Tim Ji (Les Blues never knew what he was going to produce) Steinlager Man of the Match: To be announced.

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