Balaga title in tatters after troublesome test with Gobal

 With 4 games down Balaga were in good shape. 4 matches played, 2 wins, 1 draw and a loss saw them with 7 points, so confidence was high for the visit of the industry's leading fastening and 'c' class supplier’s, QEF Global. QEF  weren’t quite as dominant on the football pitch though as their last 2 matches included 2 ass whippings from douglasmortage(10-0) and Ma Duleas(7-3)…

Tongo were nearly back to full strength bar JD who once more had some CIT match to play. Steve’s hip was good to go and Whifty’s ankle made the grade after the mother of all ankle straps was worn. Unfortunately for Dave, Phils form up front during his absence saw the big man drop back into right midfield with Parker on the left/center… The team:

After last week’s match which the ref called “one of the best matches I’ve ever seen up here”, Balaga heads were inflated and started the game as the dominant side… The little fellah up front for QEF was a handful with a great first touch so both Tom and Kev had to stick close, and while the fisticuffs and handbags were  happening at one end, Balaga were scoring at the other.

GOAL!!!

The first of the night came from Parker on his comeback and he continued Balaga’s run of lucky goals. From Phils corner kick he managed to bundle the ball over the line from about 2cm’s out and  between a maul of players air kicking in an attempt to clear/score depending on who swung… 1-0 Balaga.

A stern talking to from the ref for Kev saw an end to the handbags and the defender started to concentrate on the game, and not yer mans ankles. It seemed to be going to script for Balaga though as 1 became 2 to Tongo.

GOAL!!!

Webz picked it up on the left… beat about 2-3 players and neatly toe poked it into the near post. Another great goal in the space of 2 weeks, although the keeper looked well dodgy and surely a mauling was on the cards! 2-0 Balaga.

Anymore than a 1 goal lead though is  dangerous territory for Balaga and while they pushed for the third a long ball over the top caught the defence napping and outnumbered leading to a goal back by QEF. 2-1 Balaga.

GOAL!!!

Tongo pick up a free kick just outside the QEF box and regular free kick taker, Phil O’D stepped up to take it. He refrained from the Ronaldo/Drogba rasper dipping rocket option, choosing instead to hit it directly at the wall akin to the auld Jesper Gronkjaer style. The QEF wall opened like the red sea and deflected it into the net. 3-1 Balaga………. PARTY TIME!!!

The half time talk was along the lines of same again but that didn’t happen. Balaga just conceded two quick goals and before they knew it, the score was 3-3…

Chances came few and far between after that for Tongo who just didn’t seem to come out for the second half. Miss placed passes and a QEF bus in front of the keeper saw little work for the keeper. Meanwhile although Tom and Kev were coping better with the long balls to the small fellah, QEF eventually got the vital 4^th goal, which turned out to be the winner. It could have been more had Damo not found his form once more and pull off a few great save’s, diving to his right to steer it around for a corner from a rasper of a shot by QEF the most memorable stop.

The inclusion of Tristan gave Balaga different options and although he played well he couldn’t find the break Balaga needed. Dave did have a chance to make it 4-4 but miss kicked at the vital stage, which can be put down to lack of match practice. No doubt the northsider will have his scoring boots back on in no time…

Still though, Balaga should have had this game wrapped up and out of sight before QEF got a sniff and may well regret this loss later in the season… however, the table is still looking kind to the cucumbers as they’re just 2 points behind Global in second.