Matchday // Match 17 v TDFC - Season 6 // Cillit Bang FC

Dubious Penalty Overtakes TDFC in Fifth

Team News: A. Muppet and Oscar both unavailable on the day, Fozzie on his second game back.

Previous Results: Played 3 Won 2 Lost 1 - Back in October Rizzo had scored the opening goal, only to be equalised in the second half until two quickfire goals from Swedish Chef sealed the win.

First Half

It was the match to fight for fifth place, either TDFC could solidfy their position or CBFC could take the challenge to the final day of the season. Initial pressure from the team provides a chance to take the initiative with a corner.

Goal 1-0 // 14 Kermit - Assist 17 Swedish Chef

The corner to Kermit is blocked along with Beaker's shot, before the ball goes out of play Swedish Chef stops to pick out Kermit pulling away from the front post to divert the cross goalwards, mirroring last weeks match and scoring within the first minute.

The early goal instantly provided some inspiration when a passing move ended in the shooting range of Big Bird to unleash a fierce shot just over the crossbar. Fozzie did not have to wait as long this week before he was called into action, taking advantage of a 2v1 on a corner the shot towards the far post is kept out bouncing nicely for Swedish Chef to flick the ball around the last defender, unfortunately for him the ball has a bit too much pace on it allowing the keeper to clear it first.

Goal 2-0 // 17 Swedish Chef - Assist 14 Kermit

Linking up from the kick in and facing up to the defenders Kermit picks out a lovely pass through to Chef allowing him to shot over the goalkeeper in the near post. That brings up Chef's 20th goal of the season.

Goal 3-0 // 17 Swedish Chef - Assist 12 Rizzo

With his first involvement of the game and coming on as sub Gonzo floats a kick in to Rizzo for a glancing touch to the side for Swedish Chef's run... he opts to shoot first time across the keeper into the bottom corner of the net.

TDFC had a great chance to fight back with a goal, winning back possession with some good passing the shooting was not as good as the build up. Chef back in defense receiving the goalkick was a bit perplexed when he looked to pass not realising Big Bird had come on for Kermit, first miscontrolling the ball and second not immediately knowing what to do after finding just two players in front of him, under pressure he choose to pass dangerously across to Gonzo, his pass straight to the TDFC player is thwarted by Gonzo's defending along with a simple Fozzie save.

Goal 3-1 // TDFC

Fozzie's looking to kick the ball up front has a little lack of height to reach his players, the defender's clearance ends up falling just nicely for the scorer to shoot before Big Bird has a chance to close him down.

Getting lots of joy with their runs Rizzo is picked out perfectly by Big Bird from a quick kick in only to be stopped by some tough defending. Swedish Chef however exploits this free at the far post area outside the box, Rizzo is very quick to notice firing in the pass, Chef decides to shoot immediately but finds his shot closed down by the defender's rear end, a dummy would have easily earnt him another first half hattrick if he wanted it.

Goal 3-2 // TDFC

From the possibility of going three goals clear to conceding immediately, the fightback was on. A chipped ball over Big Bird and Gonzo is met with a first time volley into the far post.

The dominant play was falling apart as Big Bird was caught in possession at kick off, Beaker tried a tackle but the ball was rolling past Fozzie who had already dived in, acrobatically turning around he stopped the ball dead with the opposition stiker stuck also after falling over Fozzie. On first thoughts had Fozzie taken out the player, Fozzie was adamant he had not touched him, on replay the player has perhaps dived for a penalty. Gonzo picked out Beaker on the right wing, Beaker without a goal in 12 games was on the charge, shot saved. After the deluge of shots last game it took a while until Rizzo would get his first attempt on goal for the match, a ball launched by Gonzo deep into the centre of the box is glanced over the bar. The lead is held until half time, with Fozzie making a couple of non troubling saves.

Second Half

TDFC have the early chance to level the scores, denied by Fozzie.

Goal 4-2 // 12 Rizzo - Assist 14 Kermit

Kermit launches the kick in to the reliable Rizzo, a simple header towards goal re-establishes a vital 2 goal lead. Rizzo continues his scoring run.

Players playing out from the back were having a tough time on the evening when a TDFC player gave the ball straight to Rizzo instantly picking out Kermit. TDFC being the last side Kermit had scored a brace against he had a good chance to emulate that yet the left footed shot was saved. In the same attack Rizzo had two efforts within a second of each other blocked as a left footed volley looked very tasty had it been on target. The attacking was good, the defending not so. Fozzie making a save off the loose runner's shot but he could do nothing about the rebound through two TDFC players who had just the open goal gaping, the closest player was just unable to wrap his foot around the ball. Fozzie was not happy with the defense ball watching, Beaker and Gonzo made tackles and the last shot from the attack had gone wide. Far better defending followed in a refreshing way, even though the ball was given away Rizzo, Beaker and Kermit rushed back from the opponent's box to help Gonzo flush out the striker all on his own up front.

In front, the better side and pushing for more Swedish Chef had come on for Gonzo and instantly could of put the match beyond TDFC, with a bit of skill to nutmeg the defender on the wing he geared up for a shot, just over the keeper at the near post crashing off the outside of the post, had he looked up or got a call Rizzo was with him square for a probable tap in. Rizzo got another chance, full of confidence from his header some quality passing moves were taking place as a shot around the keeper needs a defender to bail him out for a clearance. More and more showboating was creeping into play as Rizzo flicks a pass for Chef, a quick stepover one two pass out to Gonzo leads to a close call in the box.

Goal 4-3 // TDFC

Having not had a shot for over 7 minutes it would be the next shot that put the cat among the pigeons, a poor kick in from Chef to the keeper sets up a counter attack that Fozzie tries to keep out on the near post. Chef and Fozzie both took some blame.

Goal 4-4 // TDFC

A free kick around the halfway line was taken to the nearest player, too easily he cut inside shooting from distance and scoring through a mass of players camped in the CBFC box.

Penalty to Cillit Bang FC

Drama from the kick off, with the wind out of their sails and needing to start all over again Beaker sends a pass down the wing for Chef. As the defender looks to let the ball roll out for a goalkick and ease him off course Swedish Chef takes advantage of the room and runs around picks the ball up cutting inside the goalkeeper's tackle, dreadfully missing the shot by distance. Little did he know the goalkeeper had slid in, with advantage played and missed the referee awarded a penalty. On replay the tackle was controversially perhaps just outside the box. TDFC complaints were made clear to the referee.

Goal 5-4 // Penalty 12 Rizzo

With a lot of pressure on the penalty Rizzo was the man to take responsiblity. Powerful shot in the bottom right past the goalkeeper to retake the lead.

Rizzo would get a chance for a hattrick from a kick in the entire length of the pitch by Big Bird, if he could keep the shot down. The referee deemed another slide after Kermit broke from the back to the disgust of certain TDFC players clapping his decision, some dissent not appreciated after levelling it CBFC players taking a kick in early when a substitution was called. Clearly riled the lead was held firm including a last second corner, a blocked shot from Big Bird and a headed clearance by Rizzo earned a well deserved win.

Fourth win on the bounce, 3 points propelling CBFC above TDFC into the top half of the table, the first time since the very first game back in August 2011.

Full-Time Result: Cillit Bang FC 5-4 TDFC