Balaga fail to connect as Abtran take the points

Balaga faced Abtran Connects for the first time in their history so went into this game with little knowledge of the team. Webz watched a video of them play some tournament but that's all they had to go on. Tom was out due to work so Greener was back for his third "final match" for Balaga. Let's hope he has a few more last matches though as the cucumbers need him. Parker played a hockey match during the week but didn't make the Balaga match as he needed some rest, so debutant Rory O'Brien was drafted in as a replacement which left the team as:

The match kicked off and Tongo looked like they were up for it. Phil, Dave and JD were linking up well and Damo's kick out boots were back on, giving Balaga and Dave an opportunity to win some flick ons.

GOAL!!!
The opener came from such a move which ended at the feet of David W who took a shot which ricoshade off a defender and into the goals. It was a stroke of good luck Balaga have needed in front of the goals.

Unfortunately for Balaga the lead lasted only a few minutes as a high ball into the box was contested by the scot up front for Abtran and Kev. The scot got the better and powered the header past Damo. Broderick wasn't happy with the challenge but the ref was having none of it. Luckly for Balaga though he wasn't paying much attention to Dave's high ball challenges down the other end either as the big man wasn't afraid to leave the elbow/shoulder of foot in, creating chances for JD, Webz and Phil.

GOAL!!!
Balaga's second came from the left hand side and involved Webz who passed it to Phil. O'D struck a low left footer into the far bottom corner. Boooo-Yeah!!!!!!!!!


Once more Balaga switched off in defence though and equalized after Dave G had misjudged a header. Rory came on for Webz and showed some good touches to begin a few Balaga attacks, but couldnt do anything to stop Abtran scoring another 2 before half-time. One from a free kick Balaga didn't defend quick enough, and another from an Abtran break. FC Balaga Tongo 2-4 Abtran Connects

-------------------------------half-time---------------------------------

Although Balaga were down by 2 they were the better side in the half and had the more posession, but couldnt convert or stop leaking in defence. They all agreed that more of the same was needed, attacking wise and began the second half with a burst of pace by Broderick not seen since his primary school days! After blocking a attempted pass from an Abtran defender Kev found himself with nothing but the sideline and the keeper in front of him. Dave called for it in the centre and the wise option was probably to pass but as the defender doesnt find himself in such areas too often he decided to shoot across the goals with his left. The effort went across the goals alright but wide of the target and out of reach of Dave.

GOAL!!!

Balagas 3rd came from a high ball into the Connects box which saw Dave W, the keeper and another guy challenge for it. Dave got there first the score his and Balaga's 3rd. The Abtran player complained it clearly hit the hand but the ref allowed it. 2-1 Balaga!!!

This was followed up by efforts from Webz and Dave but all the early pressure came to nothing as Balaga llet in a succession of defensive howlers. It was 8-2 by the time Dave got his hat-trick.

GOAL!!!
Dave collected the ball in midfield and put the head down. He made about 10 meters before firing a bullet into bottom right hand corner, giving the keeper no chance.

Final Score
FC Balaga Tongo 4-8 Abtran Connects

Its still unbelievable Balaga didn't take something from this game. They really had the defence under pressure but simple cant seem to master the midfield being linked to both defence and attack, but little help was given to them in fairness as the defence at times could have been mistaken for two statue of davids side by side. The keeper on the Abtran side didn't seem too confident either but little actual shots hit the target.

Regarding future matches, its gonna be a tough season for Balaga unless they can sort out their ringer problem. The ball holding midfielder is the missing piece of the jigsaw but with the likes of Dawson and Brown both playing 11 a side, the amount of ball players available to the pool of Balaga related friends is dwindling fast and the options are few and far between.

On the bright side though, Tom O'C and Parker were out and if they played I've a feeling the result could have been different.