Far from Dull as Balaga shine.

After the very disappointing loss to QEF Global the previous week, Balaga knew they were out of the title race. But a game against Ma Dulleas was just the tonic to get the team back together playing footy and getting as many points out of this season as possible. Gary Breen was rumoured to be playing before the game but this turned out to be untrue as the full Cucumber squad was available, maybe most importantly formation wise goal keeper Damo Kennedy was back after playing house down in Kerry and ditching his teammates the week before!

The game plan was to have Tristan and David W to go at theyre backs from the start, chasing down everything and try to ware them down and not give them time to pick passes. JD John Duggan and ODriscoll would then come on and do the same up front. Webz and Parker were behind them and would clean up everything in midfield as Broderick and OCallaghan would try to mark their strikers out of the game.

In reality something kinda like that happened...

Ma Dulleas were kept pretty quiet and although Joe, Biffo, Nala and Heno made breaks they were usually snuffed out before causing any danger to the Balaga goal. Damo was on hand when there was any shots though as he was making saves left right and centre with all his limbs. Balaga were doing well on the break and were 3 goals up before they knew it.

The first came from Parker who fired a great long distance effort from the rights side. The keeper looked to get a hand to it but this only made things worse as the power in the shot caused the keeper to knock it straight into his own net. PEOW FLAP.

Then it was Hurley's turn. A long high ball to the front pair and David W took it down Berbatov stule and layed it off for an incoming Hurely who smashed his half volley into the top right corner. DINK BAM.

The third was another quick break, Parker made headway down the right channel and held back from firing off another shot as David W , OCallaghan and Hurley were all shouting for it on the back post. It was OCallaghan who got the touch, and it was an easy side foot as the ball from Parker had the defense and keeper beat already. WHOOSH PING.



JD and Phil were on at this stage and continued to press. Seeing his oppurtunity and being one that doesn't like not to score, Webz forced the fourth a few minutes before half time, gathering the ball on left he put it on his good peg and wanged a nice effort at the Dulleas goal. The shot like Parkers was slightly high but the power had the keeper confused and deciding to deal with it instad of leaving it go over he flapped it down into his net also. BANG PLOP.

Lamp the link for full size images, video lowlights coming soon!

Half time came and Balaga were pumped. It looked like it was going to be the 2nd time beating Ma Dulleas after the mauling at the end of last season. There was still work to do though and any comeback would have to quenched as Dulleas stars were sure to be up for the second half.

That they were and Balaga were under a lot of pressure finding it hard to hold onto the ball for any long periods. Two goals from Dulleas followed but in between these Balaga were limiting their opposition to long shots. Damo had no fear as he came out to gather the ball when it did go behind his defenders.

The cucumbers continued to battle hard and it was JD who sealed the victory as he was at the end of another Balaga break away. Tristan making the run and winning the throw down the right picked it up fast and saw JD waiting at the top Dulleas box. His throw was pinpoint and JD obliged with a neat touch into the net to make it five. WANG TIP.

The win left Balaga joint second with Ma Dulleas, ahead on head-to-head, but behind on goal difference. This ensured QEF were champions as neither team can catch them at this point with their final game against Passage Rejects a walk over.