Still Q's To Be Asked As QEF Take The Points.

As determined a side as Balaga has seen this season lined up for this game with QEF Global, previous div 1 champions, in hope of getting a result before the return to captain Webz from his MLS scouting mission. Plans to abandon the previous 2 games back 3 formation to a more attacking diamond in the midfield. More workrate would be needed but Balaga started off happier in this shape.

The game kicked off to a blistering start as the three-O attacking formation was causing big problems for the QEF defense even if the defense was exposed on the counter. A change to the previous week goals were not an issue. O'Driscoll struck the first as he describes it 'just tipped off after they scored.. passed it back to Tom on the right.. ran to the right Tom passed it back.. back to goal around the halfway.. spinnie move thing around the defender.. outside of right boot bottom left..' Then it was O'Callaghan's turn as he picked up the ball 15 yards out and took a quick speculative shot which caught the keeper unaware. O'Connor was next who finished off a great move between the three with a fantastic one touch finish.






It was even enough at half time and there was a sense it could be Balaga's week. Not to be though as QEF's lethal finishing finished off the cucumbers in the second half, O'Driscoll picked up 2 more as he commented after the match 'just tipped off after they scored.. passed it back to you on the right.. ran to the right you passed I back.. back to goal around the halfway.. spinnie move thing around the defender.. outside of right boot bottom left..' (see video) and 'break away and.just passed it passed the onrushin keeper.. bottom right'. The striker could of had 4 as he nursed O'Callaghan's second over the line as some tackling in midfield paid off and the ball trickled over the line. It was 10-6 in the end and FC Balaga Tongo will need to step oppositions attacks more effectively next week in order to pick up their first points.


Elsewhere Branigans took 3 points beating Ma Duleas 4-2, Refugees had a roaring 8-2 victory over Racing and Balagas next opponents had a 4-3 win over Farcelona.

VIVA LA BALAGA.

Duleas take a Dump on Balaga

The second fixture of the season was against old foes Ma Duleas. The game was pegged as a good marker as to how Balaga would fare for the rest of the season with these games always close in the past. 

8 of the 9 squad members were available, with only captain Webz out (reportedly flying over the grand canyon) and therefore no reserves were needed and the team lined out like so:

It was a shaky start middle and end as Balaga put in a shocking performance. Players were unable to get a hold of the ball and not one pass was put together except for O'Driscolls cross for Barrett's stunning last minute consolation. O'Driscoll in possession on the right put a hard diagonal ball to Barrett running in from the left wing and Dickie buried his first time volley into the far top corner. BOOM.

A great goal but it didn't take away from the fact that Balaga were lacking in all departments and were caught on the break far too often conceding 6 in total.

Elsewhere in the division, Racing thumped Farcelona 9-1, Temple Inn and the Refugees drew 3-3 and Branigans beat QEF 6-4. This leaves the table looking horrible if your a cucumbers fan.

Only way is up. VIVA LA BALAGA.

New Look Balaga Given Lesson by Branigans

A cool evening in Garryduff last night as FC Balaga Tongo set out in their Autumn Footy.ie Division 1 campaign. Branigans were the opposition, a side who have not competed in footy.ie for several seasons now and were an unknown task for FC Balaga Tongo.

New jerseys (back in black) and signings were in full affect. Tim O'Connor, brought in from Douglas astro.ie summer champions Russian Roulette, is a striker with a deft touch and a great shot who is sure to add to Balaga's options up front. Graham Deane is the other signing, or re-signing as it happens, a player who previously suffered a broken ankle in Balaga action around May 2009 and who has now broken back into the Cucumbers squad. Deano 'the Rock' Deano is back. Absences included captain Eoghan 'Webz' Kennedy and Richard 'Dickie' Barrett. Webz is currently scouting the MLS in California while Dickie had boardroom commitments in Dublin. Experienced reserves Rob Rose and Rory O'Brien were brought in to cover the duo. Broderick, a long term injury sufferer last season, as his wrist was snapped and a new metal arm has replaced his old flesh arm he was back in the squad. The rest of the Squad, Damo Kennedy, O'Callaghan, Duggan, and O'Driscoll were all fit.

The game got off to a tentative start and it was Balaga who conceded first. A defensive miscalculation was profited on by a sweet strike giving Damo no chance. Then one became 2 as Balaga looked incapable of playing football they were again struck with a low hard effort from a Branigans striker. The second woke Balaga up and like a boxer they came back at Branigans with gusto, O'Connor and Rose were at the forefront as they saw a veteran scottish keeper block their efforts from all angles. Midfield dominator Duggan was pushing his side forward and he had 2 if not three good chances that on another day he would of put away. It was Rose who then got one back for the Cucucmbers. Picking the ball up outside the Branigans box he picked his spot in his usual classy fashion and placed the ball into the bottom left corner. Back in the game. Or so they thought as Branigans swept down the pitch again putting the ball past Kennedy to make it 3-1 going into half time.

 Stuff happens.

The general consensus around pitch 2 was that Balaga had it in them to come back into this game and were unlucky so far in their attack and punished for their few defensive errors. The second half would tell a similar story.

 Deano Marshalls Balaga's backline

O'Connor didn't wast much time, frustrated with the first half, he tapped in a first time finish with his right foot from infront of goal as O'Driscoll picked him out from a throw on the left wing. 2-3. Balaga continued to press and it was difficult as Branigans strong forwards made life difficult for Balaga especially on the break. Goals were conceded through some simple errors and only for a late O'Brien/Rose goal Balaga would of lost by 4. The goal came from an O'Driscoll corner on the right, pulling the ball back to Rose who fired his shot straight at the goal from an angle, coming through a lump of players a lurking O'Brien appeared to get a touch but the jury is out on who gets the notch on their belt. 6-3 the game ended and it was disappointing for Balaga as they will feel they deserved more from it.

Click HERE for HD version. Apologies for the dodgey tunes.

Damo was excellent at times, and considering it was his 21st birthday and he was coming off the back of one night and set to go out on another it was a miracle that he got to some shots.

Damo parties.

Food for thought for FC Balaga Tongo and fans will be hoping its not another long season ahead.

Elsewhere in the division newcomers Refugees had a 8-2 victory over Farcelona while Racing took Temple Inn apart 6-2 and QEF beat Duleas 4-1. Which leaves the league looking like so.

VIVA LA BALAGA