Ref robs Tongo of vital points

Its was like the Harlem Globe Trotters this week as Rory Browne and Joe from former foes MaDuleas togged out for Balaga Tongo for the meeting of top of the table side douglasmartage.ie, but the party was spoiled thanks to some terrible ref decisions

It didn’t help that Balaga were without regular GK Damo, and midfielders Slats and John D. Damo was ruled out with a knee injury picked up the previous week. He was replaced by Webz in the first half and then Phil during the second period, both deputizing well for the number 1.

Deano was out due to college commitments so it was the back two of Shoko and Kev in defense. Things didn’t start well with Douglas taking an early lead and then Broderick getting a yellow for a nothing tackle on the young red headed lad up front. Half time saw the Cucumbers down 4-0. Shitzer!!!!

The new faces took a while to gel but once they did, things started to improve and goals from Browne(2) and Joe(1) saw the teams back to 4-3 with less than 5 minutes to go. Tongo were the better side without a doubt the second half and was it not for a ref who did everything to hand douglas the match, they could have equalized and even won it.

A second booking for Broderick cut the side back down to 6 and chasing the game saw Douglas get a breakaway winner with 2 or 3 minutes remaining. To say the ref was bad is an understatement. The red he handed Kev was nothing short of disgraceful. Chasing a loose ball, the defender was stopped in his tracks by the red headed lad after he stepped in front of him and blatantly obstructed the center back. The ref didn’t see it that way though and proceeded to hand out the red.

Its not common practice to criticize refs on this blog but the guy either had a bad night or is waiting for a mortgage from douglasmortgage.ie because he quite simple had a shocker. On the bright side, Joe looks like he might be togging out for a few weeks provided United don’t play Wednesdays so things can only get better.

Classic encounter ends all square with Club Redz

Club Redz and Balaga Tonga played out a pulsating 6-6 draw in the game of the evening. It looked like Balaga had secured victory when man of the match Rory Browne scored his fourth goal with minutes remaining. However, Niall Duggan equalised at the death when he was first to react to the loose ball following a good save from a fine Terry Yelverston free kick. (taken from http://footycork.blogspot.com/)

Old foes Rosies embarrass poor Balaga

Rosies finally found the form that that made them so competitive for the last few seasons when they defeated Balaga Tonga 4-0. This fixture could have gone either way until Paddy Cronin scored a rocket from about 20 meters. This inspired Rosies and in the end they won quite easily. (taken from http://footycork.blogspot.com/)

5 minute spurt by CHU leaves Tongo needing stretcher

The CUH verses FC Balaga Tonga encounter was a very tight affair until the final 15 minutes when CUH scored four unanswered goals. Ivan Weir was in top form for CUH and is a very impressive finisher. He scored five. (taken from http://footycork.blogspot.com/)

The Bons cut down by Tongo

An excellent individual goal by Dave Spiteri for the Bons was not enough as they were defeated 4-3 by Balaga Tonga. Ian Slattery and was central to Balaga’s victory and scored two fine goals. (taken from http://footycork.blogspot.com/)

Sons of Pitches cut down by Tongo

He may be away in Canada but as a mark of respect on the birthday of FC Balaga Tongo legend Tom O'C, the Cucumber's came from behind to take a fantastic victory.

It had it all, headers, volleys, long range shots, crossbar rattles, keeper saves and anywhere will do clearances. The ref called it the best match he seen in a while and he wasn't wrong. It all began with Balaga, like last week playing some damn sexy ass football. 

The inclusion of Slatts has steadied the ship in midfield with his calmness on the ball and eye for goal. Something the side haven't had since Rory left a few seasons back. The new/old partnership of Kev and Deano was broken up to begin with as new signing Shoko was given the nod ahead of the Deanster. Shoko was a worthy replacement though as he stuck to the grey haired lad like files to shite. They still couldn't prevent a two goal lead from SoPs though as two great finishes put the Sons up early on.  

Tongo didn't drop the head though and they were soon back in it after a beauty of a cross field ball by JD was calmly headed by Phil over the keeper and into the far corner. 2-1 became 3-1 though as Sons of bitches got a third. The drop to the 2nd tier was starting to look a case of the same aul story as the previous season. The difference tonight though, was the super form of front-man Phil O'D. The 26 year old was taking a battering up front but was winning flick on after flick on, leaving the SoP's back line scratching their heads at times. Just before the half time whistle he brought Tongo back into it was a screamer of a shot from just inside the half way line which rattled the underside of the crossbar and into the net. 3-2 at half time.

The half time talk was one of just raise the performance levels and the game was there for the taking. And so the revival began with goals from Slatts, John D and a third from man of the match Phil o'D to put Balaga 5-3 up with 5 minutes to go. In truth they could have buried a few more but good saves combined with some dodgy finishing left the game in touching distance for SoP's. They may well have come back were it not for some deacent defending and luck, with the crossbar rattled on more than one occasion. They got a forth with minutes to go but time ran out and Tongo picked up their first win of the season!!! YES BAiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!

League table to follow...

Far from perfect Balaga pull back Athletic

Apologies to those who actually read this site but last year was a disaster and the inspiration to write these reports just wasn't there, so to that one reader from Malaysia or wherever, I'm sorry, we'll try to keep up this year! Right, here goes.....

The decision to drop down a division was a tough one but the recession had depleted the once sexy fast one touch footballing side so had to be done. In the past year Balaga have lost some great players including Whifty, Parker, Tristan and team captain Tom O'C. A burden just too big to compete in the top flight. 

First up for the mighty Cucumbers were Far From Athletic, a side Tongo never played before so a step into the unknown. Everything seemed to be going rosy in the first 5 minutes as Tongo controlled the ball, making a one-two-three-four move from defence all the way to attack which ended in a Webz shot saved by the Athletic keeper. The move included Deano then JD-Webz-JD-Webz emmm JD-Webz shot . The move seemed to inflate the heads of Balaga as they fell into the old habit of thinking "Jeasus, we'll walk this". 

The following kick-out lobbed over Deano's and Kev's heads and was buried by the FFA striker to make it 1-0 to FFA. They managed a second thanks to a handball which wasn't seen by the usually spot on ref, before new kid Slatts found the net for Balaga with a bouncy bob-bely pinger of a shot, that somehow made its way past the keeper in the FFA goal. He added a second before half time and Balaga were pretty damn happy with the 2-2. 

The second half was much the same as the first with FFA going up 4-2 after some sloppy misuse of the ball at times by the Togolese bai's. FFA were first to most balls and looked to be heading for the victory until 5 minutes to go, Balaga decided "well fook it, may as well try to get a draw". The 3rd goal for Tongo came from the boot of Phil O'D and with nearly the last kick of the game John D hit a rasper into the roof of the FFA net to make it a respectable return to the second tier and 1 point on the board. 

VIVA LA BALAGA!!!!!!!!

2011 Spring Season to Start Jan 26th.

Footy.ie have released the start date for the new season and also spoke about the new pitch...

"By the way – the new surface is really nice and soft so no more burns or sore knees the next day!"


News later broke on CNN that current captain Webz Kennedy would stay on for 2011:

Due to the popular demand of the fans Player/Manager Webz has revoked his resignation.

He had this to say '' Ah bais! Last season was last season and we are preparing for the future now. I've been very busy in the transfer market and things will be better. I'm on the verge of signing two quality players and unfortunately the club has had to part ways with Dickie Barret on mutual term. This will most likely be my last season as I have been offered an ambassador role in the club which will see me link up with former Player/Manager Tommy Pun O'Callaghan in Canada in an attempt to expand the franchise so let win this''

When asked was one of the prospects Ian ''Slats Chainsaw'' Slattery he replied '' no unfortunately talks have broke down with slats and he won't be joining us (in a full time capacity) but I wish him well in all he does. He is a great lad and has a future ahead of him''

When asked about the media black out he has imposed on club webz confirmed this has now been lifted. '' I will talk to the sporting director Kevin Broderick about get the reports sort and will be in contact with Ambassador Pun about getting Facebook access codes''

Finally '' I promise all the fans this year will be our year. We will take the title and wipe the smirk off Mortgage player Smirky McSmirkerson's shitty face.''

VIVA LA BALAGA

2010 Autumn/Winter Season Ends

The toughest season yet in Footy.ie but 2011 preparations have already begun. Here are the stats:

Balaga Walk Inn to Temple Tiger Torture

With Kevin on annual Oktoberfest duty, Balaga were still restricted to a squad of 8. Captain Webz'z anticipated return was upon the cucumbers, although a lack of landon donovan under his arm saw his trip to California a failure. This is how they lined up. Looking to break to duck more than ever before!

A disapointing performance all areound really, it was made better in the second half but the goals didn't come or weren't got. Webz picked up a consolation after slotting past the good Temple keeper after JD and O'Connor combined to set him up. Deano The Rock Deano was back in full effect as he managed to keep the main danger man quiet and not giving an inch to anyone in the second half.

6-1 in the end and the table is looking miserable for Balaga and Farcelona as Branigans keep their 100% record after beating Racing 2-1. The Refugees, who are also looking very strong keep in touch with a 6-3 win over Duleas. QEF took 3 points from Farcelona.

.VIVA LA BALAGA.

Still Q's To Be Asked As QEF Take The Points.

As determined a side as Balaga has seen this season lined up for this game with QEF Global, previous div 1 champions, in hope of getting a result before the return to captain Webz from his MLS scouting mission. Plans to abandon the previous 2 games back 3 formation to a more attacking diamond in the midfield. More workrate would be needed but Balaga started off happier in this shape.

The game kicked off to a blistering start as the three-O attacking formation was causing big problems for the QEF defense even if the defense was exposed on the counter. A change to the previous week goals were not an issue. O'Driscoll struck the first as he describes it 'just tipped off after they scored.. passed it back to Tom on the right.. ran to the right Tom passed it back.. back to goal around the halfway.. spinnie move thing around the defender.. outside of right boot bottom left..' Then it was O'Callaghan's turn as he picked up the ball 15 yards out and took a quick speculative shot which caught the keeper unaware. O'Connor was next who finished off a great move between the three with a fantastic one touch finish.






It was even enough at half time and there was a sense it could be Balaga's week. Not to be though as QEF's lethal finishing finished off the cucumbers in the second half, O'Driscoll picked up 2 more as he commented after the match 'just tipped off after they scored.. passed it back to you on the right.. ran to the right you passed I back.. back to goal around the halfway.. spinnie move thing around the defender.. outside of right boot bottom left..' (see video) and 'break away and.just passed it passed the onrushin keeper.. bottom right'. The striker could of had 4 as he nursed O'Callaghan's second over the line as some tackling in midfield paid off and the ball trickled over the line. It was 10-6 in the end and FC Balaga Tongo will need to step oppositions attacks more effectively next week in order to pick up their first points.


Elsewhere Branigans took 3 points beating Ma Duleas 4-2, Refugees had a roaring 8-2 victory over Racing and Balagas next opponents had a 4-3 win over Farcelona.

VIVA LA BALAGA.