Matchday // Match 15 v I'm Sure UK - Season 6 // Cillit Bang FC

2012 Starts with a BANG

Team News: Rizzo makes his return since end of October with Oscar and Fozzie unavailable.

Previous Results: The unbeaten side last time around kept their record intact. From a first half after intense pressure the ball would not find the net, poor marking cost a goal, a missed penalty to equalise was squandered in a tight match.

First Half

With a three week difference between the last match (and win) it was interestng to see what sort of effect the Christmas break would have on the team(s). Keeping hold of possession was something which I'm Sure UK started the better at, crafting two shots wide left of Doug's goal. With some slack play coming from the first goal kick, a losfted cross took out Big Bird, Swedish Chef and Kermit for a free shot at an open goal, a thankfully woeful attempt let off the boys in blue. A better shot followed forcing Doug into the first save of 2012, Beaker tried his best to set off Rizzo but this gifted easy possession back to the team in the ascendancy, Swedish Chef dived in to leave a 3 on 1 against Kermit, the one two deep in the box needed a quick left footed shot, however the shifting onto the right foot gave Big Bird chance to block and take the pace off shot for Swedish Chef who had come back to stop the ball crossing the line and clear it.

Goal 1-0 // 12 Rizzo - Assist 4 Beaker

From rags to riches as the kick in deep in the corner to the keeper was then passed unforgivingly straight to Beaker, with the pass rolling towards him and four players in the vicinty Rizzo marked his return to the team with a sublime180 turn past the defender and slot the ball past the out of position keeper. Levelling his goal tally with Kermit.

Goal 2-0 // 17 Swedish Chef

Two shots on target, two goals as just 28 seconds after taking the lead Swedish Chef had doubled the lead with his solo effort. Gonzo's pressure on the forward had forced a wayward backwards pass, flicking the ball with his back to goal close to the defender he was in on the keeper, rounding him and slotting in his goal to match his previous season's best of 18 goals (albeit 5-a-side).

Needing to fight back and the better side early on, I'm Sure UK continued to squander fantastic chances with F grade finishing. On the otherhand Rizzo confident on the ball as usual has the best shots to minute ratio on the team, this was evident as he linked up with both Swedish Chef and Kermit for powerful shots at goal. As Cillit Bang FC got into the match, Gonzo rued a miss pass after advantage from the ref left him a simple diagonal through ball to Kermit. He benefitted though mere seconds later by good work from Beaker reading the keeper's throw and chipping the ball into the area, Kermit sticking his leg at the ball the keeper in a good position did well to keep the ball out as Kermit's diection of the shot downwards made it awkward.

Goal 2-1 // I'm Sure UK

Gonzo had blocked three crosses in a row when the fourth set piece he headed on looping in nicely for a close range header over Doug.

Big Bird had been blocking shots left, right and centre when he pounced for a counterattack feeding the ball down field to Rizzo whose control got away from him.

Goal 3-1 // 12 Rizzo - Assist 14 Kermit

Gonzo nicked in front of the striker setting off Kermit who exchanged a one two with Rizzo including added flair, Kermit's cross through the defender's legs to Rizzo was blocked by the keeper at close range, picking up the ball his follow up was fierce inside the near post.

Closing in on the opponents and squeezing their options was proving useful as the chances continued to appear. Rizzo winning a corner from his shot after winning back possession, firing in a corner that Kermit could have converted and Beaker latching onto a poor clearance had a blocked shot. Rizzo continued to not waste his possession and almost turned provider when his cross was very close to finding Chef at the back post.

I'm Sure UK had a glimmer of hope at the end of the half, bad finishing again was costing them and CBFC went lucky when a ball from a corner caught in the area was played out by Chef almost running into trouble.

Second Half

Goal 4-1 // 14 Kermit - Assist 5 Gonzo

Throw out from Doug is cushioned by Swedish Chef for Gonzo to chip a delightful ball in behind the defense for Kermit to volley in the top corner. 101 goals and so the next hundred goals gets underway in quality fashion.

Goal 4-2 // I'm Sure UK

Now when you have a comfortable lead what you do not need is to let your opponents back in with a soft goal. A soft goal happened as a good passing move with a quickly taken shot was allowed to take place with non exsistent marking.

Goal 4-3 // I'm Sure UK

Doug's goal kick is flicked on by Rizzo rebounding favourably for the defender, a ball over the top of Beaker is controlled neatly for a turn and volley finish to turn up the pressure.

Doug exasperated in goal was increasingly becoming annoyed at his outfield players providing little defense for the lead. Too many times the opposition were allowed simple forward passes in the CBFC half, this was most likely as a result of the break from the matches over Christmas as the fatigue was closing in on the players that little bit earlier in the match. What was helping tremendously however was the goals scored from any chance they were creating.

Goal 5-3 // 17 Swedish Chef - Assist 14 Kermit

From the back Big Bird heads a clearance for Rizzo to control, work himself some space on the wing to pass infield, Kermit threads a first time ball into Swedish Chef's path for a side foot finish inside the near post. Chef notches his 19th of the season for his new season best goalscoring tally.

Rizzo wins the ball on the halfway line and attempts a Big Bird shot from the halfway line, the keeper firm on the line.

Goal 6-3 // 12 Rizzo - Assist 14 Kermit

Some forward play earns a kick in middle of the opposition half, Beaker sends in a back stick cross to Kermit just over the keeper's hand, his header cushioned nicely back over the goalkeeper for a Rizzo tap in and first Cillit Bang FC hattrick. The third team hattrick of the season.

Rizzo approaching double figures for shots had the best chance he would get for a fourth goal on the edge of the box, yet his technique let him down when the adrenaline was flowing, Kermit already on three assists providing the service after breaking forward from the back. The three goal lead had done wonders for the confidence, no longer was the result looking shaky as it was looking, I'm Sure UK started to force the issue however with Big Bird in defense clearing numerous crosses, 3 points was looking ever so likely.

Goal 6-4 // I'm Sure UK

Beakers's through ball through to Chef is almost perfect when a rushing defender nips in front to poke the ball away but towards his own goal, the keeper manages to toe poke the ball away. The loose ball ends up taking out Beaker, Chef and Rizzo falling perfectly for a counter attack, Gonzo's blocked pass ends up back at the feet of the defender for another go, Doug would feel disappointed in the effort he made to keep out the goal.

Goal 6-5 // I'm Sure UK

A well worked corner kick sets up a very tense last few minutes, nodded in at the near post as the scorer worked himself in front of Rizzo and Doug.

Piling forward to seek out a draw or even possible win, Gonzo's pass into Rizzo's feet from the kick off set up a 3 on 1 moment, the scorer's pass just had too much pace on it. With backs to the wall, tackles and desperate clearances, Doug was too quick to start up play back up and a goal kick to Kermit was too wide. He regained himself when a pass into the box looked as if it would creep into the net, Doug made a strong save to thwart the opposition efforts taking a blow on the corner to stop the cross. Beaker's clearance had Rizzo at the opposition goalkeeper fighting to win the ball a long way from the box which was looking to be a clear goalscoring opportunity had it not been for the positioning of the keeper. Swedish Chef would be sorely disappointed not to notch up a hattrick and put the game to bed when Rizzo squares the ball to him, not thinking too cleverly he opts for the standard shoot at distance, the keeper had made up ground to smother the effort.

Rizzo continues to hold up possession winning another free kick, yet opting to shoot instead of going to the corner flag, which allows I'm Sure UK to have another go at salvaging a draw, Doug makes a strong save from the cross shot. With the goalkeeper coming up and everyone in the Cillit Bang FC box Gonzo clears the ball with a strong header ahead of two attackers to start off 2012 with 3 points in a 6-5 thriller. This result had virtually ended I'm Sure UK's promotion hopes, with only 21 goals conceded in 17 games this season to score six goals was quite the feat.

Full-Time Result: Cillit Bang FC 6-5 I'm Sure UK