Game 11: FC Balaga Tongo 3-2 Sevin Sinners

A drop in attendance appeared to suggest that Balaga's free flowing Brazilian style football at the beginging of the season had all but dried up, and last night’s match proved to be another tough encounter. All eight members had turned up for the 2nd match against Sevin Sinners. Damo was again in goals with a back three of Deano, Kevin B and John D. Webz again filled the watershed roll behind Phil with Rory up front. Tom O’C and Steve P began on the bench.

As with prior matches, the cucumbers failed to get going early on and a high ball out the right withing the first 5 minutes, which seemed to be a fore gone conclusion for Kevin to clear, was miss kicked, allowing Sevins striker to score passed Damo to go 1-0 up. The former captain tried to make amens for this with a few runs up front and a couple of misguided shots, but eventually he left the attackers get on with the goal scoring side of things.

Balaga's equalizer came from Rory, who is quickly becoming a free kick specialist for Tongo. A dodgy free kick was awarded outside the box on the left. Sevin appeared to have all angles covered but a clinically struck right foot shot nestled in the left corner of Sevin's net, to the joy of John D who gets special mention for his acrobatic skills of getting out of the way! 1-1 it stayed till half time.

The second half saw both Deano and Kevin hit the bench so Phil, Rory and captain Tom O'C made up the back three with Webz, John and Parker the attacking force. Balaga had ended the first half with the more opportunities and this half was no different, but again it was Sevin who took the lead from a corner kick which wasn’t dealt with properly.

Minutes later however Balaga were awarded another free kick in a similar position to the first half and once again Sevin failed to learn from their mistakes. Another super finish by Rory from a dead ball made it 2-2. The breakthrough for Tongo came from another dead ball, this time a corner squared to Tom O’C who rifled it past the Sevin keeper to make it 3-2 to Balaga with around 5 minutes remaining. Surprisingly Balaga’s defence held and a valuable 3 points secured.

Tougher opponents await Balaga, who face top side Seven next week, followed by the 6 pointer match against Upsetters, and finally seconded placed Manning Park Rovers, all potential championship deciders for Tongo. An improvement in opening half performances need to be addressed but thankfully Balaga are right back in the hunt.


With both Manning Park and Seven winning last night, its all still very tight at the top. The fact that Balaga will play 1 match worth 6 points, wont help their goal difference, but at least they still have an oppertunity to win the title.