Balaga 1-2 FTC

Balaga's second match of the season started badly as again not one player managed to buy a football. A new member (Mickey Meade) joined the Tongo team as Phil O'D was shot down with “rain sore legs”. The defensive partnership of Tom O'C and Kevin B was reformed, and Webz was pushed upfront again. Blake and Juggs were giving the responsibility of linking the defense and attack. This was perhaps a bit much to ask of Paul as he had decided not to mention to the team the fact that he had guzzled down several bottles of lucazade before the game which slowed him up significantly, so much so that an FTC player ran through him within the first 10 minutes, leaving Juggs a dazed and bloated man. He left the action a few minutes later for sub Mickey, his debut for Balaga, and by his performance, the first of many.
Once again Balaga were the first to concede with a well taken goal by FTC, so much so that I cant remember it. All that I remember is that it wasn’t Kevin’s fault. Unusually heads didn’t drop and after tip off Balaga piled on the pressure with several shots from long distance. FTC’s keeper was having a blinder with 3 or 4 shots bouncing off him. Granted if any shot had been placed at either side of him it may have resulted in a goal, but with the Balaga striker curse still haunting Webz up front, it was never going to happen. It took a midfielder to draw the teams level with a fine cross by Webz from the right met by a rushing in Blake (Shin Shin) Shine. Two goals in two games for shin shin, not a bad return from a midfielder.
The lead however didn’t last long as FTC upped the pressure again. Tom’s injury didn’t seem to be hindering him as he began to tackle with his trademark rough but I got the ball ref style. It was obvious Kevin hadn’t been out on a 4 day binder this week as his fitness seemed to have improved, so much so that he ran forward on more than one occasion. Perhaps he should have stayed back though as soon afterwards FTC got the second. A sucker punch to the Tongo midriff, who really appeared to be the better team. With seconds to go before half time the cucumbers Mickey made a break, with Webz down the right and Kevin down the left in support. A long range shot from Mickey was not liked by Kevin, who was glad that the half time whistle was blown, so he wouldn’t have to sprint back to his position.
The second half started much the same as the previous week, with Balaga exerting the pressure. Blake was coming more and more into the match and Webz was a constant plague to the FTC defenders, taunting them to foul him. The defenders failed to fall for the bait and Balaga had to try other tactics to try and break down the stubborn defense. Shot after shot was rained down on the FTC goal mouth but no goal. That was until about 10 minutes remaining when Balaga got a throw in deep into the FTC half. It was taken by Shin Shin who aimed it in the direction of Tom O’C. He appeared to get a touch on it to send it past the keeper and into the net for Balaga’s second. Joy was short lived however as the ref claimed it had touched nobody.
Several other chances were created by both teams and cucumbers keeper Bundy was forced into a couple of saves and saw one shot fly by him and hit the Balaga crossbar but other than that few other incidents occurred. A better display by Balaga really should resulted in at least a draw. This 2nd loss in 2 weeks however leaves Tongo routed to the bottom of the table, all in all a poor start to the campaign.