Cucuy Beats All Footballers

Cucuy FC - All Footballers Conf. 4:2

Being resilient pays off, especially when you play against 10-men team. All Footballers started short a player and they selected their tactics accordingly. They packed their defensive half and kept a lonely striker to raise a havoc in our defensive lines. From the start Cucuy FC controlled the play for the most part, but failed to capitalized on several early opportunities that resulted from series of nice passes and outside runs. Our lack of finishing got punished by one of the seldom ventures of Footballers striker into our half with a shot from 35 yards out. Cory got caught well out of position, 1:0. Few minutes later Schluni managed to bring us onto level terms almost single handedly, when his cross/shot sailed over the keeper into a far corner, 1:1. All Footballers seized the moment and scored on us after a strong run through the middle and flick into our box, Cory spilling the rebound; 1:2. It seemed like our passing game was not going to break down the defensive wall, so something different had to be tried. A long cross from the back into Jonathan’s stride, a quick flick to Ben, shot saved by a keeper, and a cat-like reaction by Andrew heading the ball into back of the net; 2:2. During this time All Footballers were in full strength. A penalty should have been awarded to Cucuy FC, as a result of intentional handball inside the penalty area by All Footballers. The referee managed to pull the kick outside the PK box; at least he booked the offender. Cory made up for his early lack of concentration with an excellent save when he erased a one-on-one opportunity. Way to keep us in the game! The second half Cucuy FC came out with more piss and vinegar. Ben made a timely run up the middle beating the offside trap. As a last resort, the defender tackled Ben from behind missing the ball. That should’ve been a direct red card, since he was the last man back. Anyway, the referee gave the guy a second yellow and showed him off the pitch. All Footballers were back to 10 men. Cucuy FC used the available room to their advantage and managed to place several shots on the frame. One of them, a low shot, deflected by the keeper, straight into Andrew’s path, which he clinically tapped in for his second goal of the game; 3:2. Good job picking up the garbage… The game was far from decided, as All Footballers made several good charging runs through our lines. On one of those counters Brent had to turn on his afterburners and chase down their forward to deliver a terrific tackle as the guy was taking a shot. To commemorate this defensive play of the game we should all shave our heads for the next match. Scotty eventually decided that a goal difference was too close for comfort. He took matters onto his own feet, dribbled down the middle, took a shot beating the keeper Dempsey style; 4:2. I don’t remember their keeper having a British accent. With series of great defensive plays, never giving up and adding a goal as a cherry on top earned Scotty the MVP of the match. Hats off to All Footballers to keeping us honest throughout the game even playing with man short for the most part.

Goals: Andrew (2), Scotty, Schluni
MVP: Scotty