Balaga Tongo 4-6 Maih platini

A new formation and switch of tactics which involved actual defending and pressurizing the opposition proved a masterstroke of sorts for Balaga this week. Coming up against the team who gave Balaga their most embarrassing defeat of the season earlier on in the campaign things needed to change. Tongo who were missing 3 of their 1st team that day due to "techno day" and drinking obligations, needed some revenge for the 7-0 defeat.
This time however proved to be a far more even game as Balaga were full strength albeit without any subs. Phil O'D decided to move into a defensive role alongside Deano. Blake was moved back into goals and Tom O'C and Kevin B pushed into midfield. This more structured side where everyone knew their role was in theory to stable the flow of goals being leaked. Theory has a way of kicking Balaga in the ass and so it proved again after Miah platini took a 2-0 lead after sustained Balaga pressure. Webz was playing a great loan striker role up front with Kev and Tom supporting when able but chances were squandered and Miah capitalized with two swift counter attacks. The ship was steaded however and eventually Webz found a breakthrough. The big Maih defender was finding the Tongo striker difficult to handle and Balaga were creating more and more chances. Halftime couldn't come soon enough for the hard working midfield as legs began to seaze up.
The second half and Balaga began where they left off with both Tom and Kev hounding the midfield and Webz working tirelessly up front. The inclusion of Phil in defense proved a master stroke as his coolness and ability to hold the ball opened lots of opportunities for the attack. Deano was solid again alongside O'D even though he had to play most of the match with a suspected calf injury. Things began to look up for Tongo as two goals for Tom saw Balaga take the dizzy heights of a lead but short lived as Maih score a screamer from outside the area. Things didnt all go their way and as usual Blake had to save Tongo on more than one occasion. A quick kickout saw Webz give Balaga the lead once more with 6 minutes left. Could this be the first Balaga victory of the season? The answer is no as a few more swift goals saw Maih take the points. But all in all a better team performance.