Game 10: Balaga 4 - Rosies 3

Second half fight-back sees Balaga get all 3 points

FC Balaga Tongo v Rosies from KevinB on Vimeo.

After last weeks joyous victory over World Class FC, FC Balaga Tongo looked to be back to playing the kind of ball the fans come to see, and with a full squad for the first time in over a month the Cucumbers fortunes were definitely looking more promising then in recent weeks.

Keeper Damo Kennedy now settled back between the posts, Kevin Broderick finding his feet at centre back in the past few games, John Duggan taking his place back in the lineup at left back and with Deano Deane coming off the back of a full game against World Class at right back, the defence seemed solid. Webz was again to start in his unique hovering defensive attacking role behind Phillie O' Driscoll and Rory Browne. Young but old guns Thomas O' Callaghan and Stefan Parkier were on the bench to begin with.

A clear case of Paddys weekend hangover was in effect as the Tongolese players were very quiet and subdued at the start of the first half and this was no clearer than when possession was lost in Balagas half and the back line was a bit all over the shop, leaving a Rosies striker clean through on Damo who had no chance. Not too long later Rosies made it 2-0 and Balaga heads needed to be picked up. It was a Parkier nick from a Webz attacking throw in that got Balaga Tongo back in the game and coming 5 or so minutes before half time, it was well needed as potential was definitely not being reached and some belief was needed across the team.

2-1 at Half time, and it was not a pretty sight on the Balaga side line as they talked in depth tactics and psychological barriers amongst other things. Red Bull was also hawked. This seemed to work as the team came out more determined in the second half than in the first.

Browne, Parkier and O'Driscoll were getting hold of possession in Rosies half more, with the wing backs O' Callaghan and J.D. trying to support them and defend as much as possible with Webz. Kevin and Deano also found their footing more so than in the first half and players were getting stuck in a bit more all over the park.

The pressure payed off as Phil got the goal to make it 2-2, i think a touch from a quick Parkier corner. But then there was a slight HOWLer from the Rock Deane as he scuffed a crucial clearance and left Damo one-on-one at the back. A mistake from Deano but better positioning from the other defenders would of probably helped him out there. Ahem, anyway 3-2 Rosies.

Up step Parkier, who was influential throughout, making space on the right he fired an absolute rocket into the far corner, BAM 3-3, game on again. More and more Balaga pressure saw the goal come to put the Tongolese ahead, another corner (i think) and this time it was Duggan on hand with the touch into the net. 4-3 Balagaaa.

Seeing out the win was no easy feat though as the Rosies team were well able to put a few passes together and had a few chances not to mention a heart stopping shot in the last minute when Damo sliced his kick out to a Rosies attacker who's volley he saved with a flyyyying dive, touching the ball around the goal post and with it putting 3 points in the bag for FC Balaga Tongo.


Captain O' Callaghan had this to say in a post match interview in Cashel Thursday morning...
"Well we got away with playing poorly and thats always nice, but we have four big games coming up against the Sinners, Seven, Upsetters and Manning Park and we will have to be doing a lot better than last night if we want to win them. The lads did do well to fight back and get the win though so you have to give them credit for that."

The rest of Wednesday nights results were World Class 3 Ma Dulleas 3... Upsetters upsetting table toppers Sevden FC 4-1, and Manning Park getting a comprehensive victory over Balagas next opposition Sevin Sinners. This leaves Balaga on 17 points, with their game in hand/6pointer against ze Upsetters. , 6 points behind Seven FC and 4 behind Manning Park The Upsetters themselves are only a point behind Balaga on 16.