Game 2: Balaga 3 – World Class 3

Week 2 of the footie.ie Wednesday league saw FC Balaga Tongo face much tougher opposition in the form of World Class FC. Another miserable night, weather wise, was on the cards but this new look Tongo team appears to be made of tougher stuff than previous seasons, and nowadays rain doesn’t appear to be the Achilles heel it once was for the African/Irish outfit.

A packed house of 4 fans turned up for the match, Balaga’s biggest crowd of the season so far were not disappointed. Tongo’s new captain and agent extraordinaire Tom O’C played a 3-2-1 formation which saw Damo K in goals, a back 3 of Kevin B, John D, and Deano. The midfield 2 of Phil O’D and Rory B, with the loan striker and joint top scorer Parker up front. Tom O’C again decided to start himself on the bench along with Webz, who wasn’t the may west.

A slow and cagey start by both teams eventually opened up after a goal from the well organized World Class FC. It didn’t last long however as a goal from Parker assisted by Rory levelled matters. The actual move and the goal weren’t seen by this reporter though. Midway through the first half WC were awarded a free kick after Damo made a vital save but was outside the box. A snappy free and a deflection of John D saw a hapless Damo watch the ball fly past him for 2-1 to WCFC. John was to make amends though shortly afterwards though as he scored from a clever pass by Webz. Balaga could count themselves lucky to be still in it at half time as WC were clearly the better team. Passes were misplaced and some dodgy decisions in the back line didn’t help Balaga’s confidence. A couple of handy saves by Damo saw the score stay at 2-2 as the half time whistle was blown.

Half time team talks sometimes change games and this was no exception. A new looking Tongo came out the second half and had a string of chances early on but WC had a organized back 3 with a particularly good keeper who kept the scores level. But it was again WC who took the lead after catching Balaga on the break. A long ball up field caught Kevin B flat footed and outpaced by the WC striker who coolly slotted the ball past Damo to make it 3-2. World Class decided to put the game past Balaga and started to push further forward allowing Balaga to catch them on a break of their own for a second on the night from Parker. Once more set up by Rory with a square pass for Parker to tap in for 3-3.

A fine game by last week’s AWOL player Deano, along with other defenders John, Tom and Kevin, and some good interplay by the midfield and forward line of Webz, Phil, Rory and Parker proves that better times are ahead for the Tongo team as they still try to get to know one another’s game. But 4 points from 2 games is better than previous seasons total tally and promotion orr the championship are defiantly possibilities.

Other results saw Rosies scrap a win over Balaga's last opponents Ma Dulleas 5-4. Seven are level on points with Balaga after a 2-1 victory over Manning Park while Upsetters picked up their first 3 points with a 3-1 victory over Sevin Sinners.