Shambles Football Team

Shambles defence secures victory against speedy students Sunday 15th February 2004. Shambles 2 (1) Medical Students 1 (1) Tight This was one of the tightest games the Shambles has played in recently and could have gone either way, with a number of chances squandered at either end in both halves. Both coaches used a large number of substitutes and the pace was frenetic until the final whistle. Loose As usual, the Shambles midfielders left a large space in midfield, which the opposition was delighted to exploit on dozens of occasions with quick, crisp passing motions to release their fast running attackers with precise passing and well-judged lobs. Tight again, and not ropey The Shambles defence had one of their finest games, cutting out all but one of these forward raids, no mean feat against this useful and technically sound side. On several occasions Aynsley, Norm, Carlos, Jon, Nat and Andy L. made telling interceptions and last-minute tackles to deny the future doctors, as well as setting up numerous attacking moves. Although victory was secured by a superb solo effort from ace cannoneer "Pirates of the Caribbean" Roger, it was the defence who ensured that the Shambles ship sailed into the port of victory with its treasure safely in the hold. Master blaster The match opened up with a shot into the enemy bows, rapier-like in its speed. Andy L., ever-industrious at the back, passed forward to Roger, who held the ball up just long enough to slide the ball to Arnaud, who picked out red-socked Thierry. Fresh from his conquest of the Antipodes, the Frenchman fired home to score yet again, providing an appropriate finish to the smooth passing move, which left the medical students wondering what to prescribe to heal their painfully perforated rear. The Greens were in the unaccustomed position of leading in the first few minutes. Push up Boosted by the confidence of the advantage, the Shambles pushed up ever further forward. The back four (in various formations, thanks to wise substitutions from our Valencian tactical maestro) remained ever vigilant, however. Norm was in dominant form, constantly marshalling the barricades as they were faced with criss-cross, darting formations of medical marauders. The fluidity of their attacks would have torn apart many a defensive unit, but the pub regulars held firm, their offside trap too well organized for the attackers on all but one occasion. Pull back Towards the half-time interval in this piece of taut drama, the soon-to-be sanatorium staff strikers latched onto an excellent kick by their goalkeeper, controlling the ball and injecting a pass into the heart of the Shambles' half. Anaesthetized for a microsecond by this surgical procedure, the back four turned just too late to catch their chief scalpel-wielder, leaving no room for compensation claims with his supremely neat finish to the slick operation. His keyhole surgery pierced the Shambles goal in spite of Matt's full-stretch dive. Cut back and forth With Udi upping the level of industry and quality of passing, the scales did look to be tipping in the foreigners' favour. In the 60th minute, with the game healthily balanced and the referee receiving plenty of vital exercise following the action from end to end, Roger received yet another pass on the right wing. A combination of pace and muscle took him past his challenger, but he looked to have overrun it this time, before cutting back in along the line next to the goal to bamboozle the goalie by putting the ball home from an apparently impossible angle, as if he had curved it with the outside of his right foot. Matt comes out. The physicians' forward thrusts were now predictable in pattern but still dangerous. The feisty defence held them off, Matt making many more timely forays out of his area to smother any attacks before a shot could be made. The massive Minnesotan began to impose authority on the penalty area, feeding on and adding to the general air of confidence in the defence, coming out early and making his will clearly known at set-pieces, barking commands to his team-mates. It was a highly promising performance from the keeper. Final cliche Whilst the defenders deserve most of the praise for keeping the side afloat, it is noteworthy that the Shambles used at least 18 players. All put in fine performances. Fernando, apart from maestrominding the team, was fiery and gritty in midfield. Luis chased down the opposition defenders just as they were hoping to launch attacks down the flanks. Arnaud showed his stylish ball control and combined effectively with the midfielders and strikers. Congratulations to Leslie on securing the lead role in the new Tolkein film, "The Hobble." Kaleb cut off opposition attacks and moved the ball quickly forward. Li Bai introduced cultured touches to the game, setting up attacks with some excellent passing. Giggs weaved his attacking midfield magic but never quite threatened as he can. Carl was solid and threatening as always in the outfield. Mark was on the pitch, too. That should be a mention for everyone. This satisfying victory showed the character of the side and was great fun to play in. The lads done tremendous. Players (apologies for omissions and spelling mistakes): Matt, Nat, Andy L., Jon, Norm, Aynsley, Carl "the Cruncher", Leslie "the Crunched" (but not by Carl), Kaleb, Mark, Fernando, Udi, Giggs, Li Bai, Luis, Roger, Arnaud, Thierry.