Bang Edged out by Crazy
Team News: Oscar was back while Big Bird missed the game through a foot injury. Rizzo is away for his last game before his next availability, A. Muppet and Neil both unavailable.
Previous Results: Played 3 Won 3 Lost 0 - With finishing far more clinical CBFC have won all previous encounters against Stur Crazy, one of the best passing teams in the league.
First Half
Stur Crazy lining up with usual faces were missing a few of their squad, using three (possibly) ineligible players from another side in division one, so it seemed. Facing a now different prospect with unscouted players the match in a wet and dreary encounter proved difficult with a lack of possession as Stur played their normal passing game. Nevertheless the Stur Crazy (keeper normally on the wrong end of Swedish Chef's shots) had to come out quickly off his line to stop 17's volley after Oscar knocked the ball over the defence.
The aforementioned new player in the starting line-up had the first crack at goal for Crazy if a little fortunate when the tackle to dispossess him fell nicely for a turn and shot albeit over the goal. It was Chef though who came unlucky to not open the scoring in CBFC's second chance. Fozzie's huge goal kick into the corner was kept in play, moved in field for a shooting opportunity, with Oscar in a great position on the outside of the area Chef's clear shot was miss hit.
Goal 1-0 // 14 Kermit - Assist 6 Oscar
Kermit's goal was tasty, adding himself to the goals from the halfway line category he makes the most of the wet conditions as the keeper makes a hash of stopping the long range attempt. As Oscar intercepts a pass and squares it to Kermit the incoming tackle is all he needs for a setup as he waltzes past two midfielders to well... stick the ball into the bottom corner first time from a very long way out. 5th goal of the season.
After a bit of banter the regular Stur Crazy players thought they could replicate Kermit, Fozzie was having none of it dealing comfortably with obscenely long range shots.
Goal 1-1 // Stur Crazy
Deserved on the run of play the goal had been coming. Starting poorly Chef failed to hold onto Oscar's simple enough kick in, Gonzo and Kermit both tried to dispossess the eventual scorer's however favourable deflections on both attempted tackles fell perfectly to the striker to score.
Unable to create a chance since Kermit's goal the traffic was one way as expected with Stur Crazy's passing and possession unmatched by their opponents. A ten pass move around the match ending the half with another shot with Crazy's finishing still lacking as per previous encounters.
Second Half
CBFC should have taken the lead with their sudden upturn in shots and chances on goal. Long range shots from Gonzo and Oscar were optimistic. A far more realistic chance came when Kermit played a key pass through the centre of defence into Chef's feet, the shot choice maybe the wrong option as the ball trickled past the post. Moments later a similar move was formed with Kermit's pass this time through the defender's legs deflecting to the goalkeeper, with his midfielder clearing the ball too quickly Kermit was there to shoot at the keeper free net. Sadly his right foot shot choice over the left foot made him wait a little longer for another chance at a second goal.
Fozzie was needed to make a save from long range but it was the counter that the save setup, Beaker cleared the ball out to Chef and continued his run but the return pass had too much power to give Beaker his chance at goal. Kermit broke forward from defence as CBFC took on the task of scoring the next goal with his shot blocked for a corner. Almost repeating previous games Beaker played a floated ball into the box from the corner, this time Swedish Chef made his first decent header on target but with a save at point blank range he was heartbroken.
Goal 1-2 // Stur Crazy
A kick in the nuts, having been the better side in the second half another CBFC attack is broken down only for the newly on substitute stand in player to link up with his striker to take the lead much to Fozzie's efforts to stop the shot.
Goal 1-3 // Stur Crazy
To lose the lead was bad enough but to put themselves under pressure from the kick off was horrific. Gonzo played a pass behind Beaker, under pressure Beaker cleared the ball into the midfielder's chest for the eventual scorer to receive what was another favourable deflection. Fozzie came off his line to close the player, the flick past him into the side netting was not expected.
Goal 2-3 (S. Chef's 50th 6-a-side Goal) // 17 Swedish Chef - Assist 14 Kermit
Back in the game with quick incisive play, Fozzie gathers the ball immediately rolling it out to Oscar who switches play. Kermit breaks forward leaving the midfielder for dust but in the process runs the ball into the defender. Chef is there to pick up the good work created by Kermit as the defender tries a fancy flick on the edge of his area, with the heel chop Chef embarrasses the defender's silly clearance, dumbfounds the incoming midfielder by turning to goal as he creates an easy shooting opportunity to score off the defender, over the keeper. Kermit's run provides the assist to put him back on track with Beaker on season assists with Chef's fourth consecutive game against Stur Crazy in which he scores and his 50th 6-a-side goal.
Boosted in morale by their two goals Stur Crazy piled on some pressure with some great passing moves to create quality chances. Fozzie was on song with some fantastic saves including a one handed stop on a fierce shot just outside the box. Needing a goal and soaked some hard pressure a golden chance came when Beaker intercepted a really poor pass to put through Kermit, having a 2 on 1 Kermit's first time pass to Chef was too fast and thus the referee brought back the advantage awarding a free kick for Beaker. A long range free kick was poor with Gonzo close to the deflection. Running out of time, all out attack was let down by dire touches on the ball leaving Stur Crazy to counter, missing a sitter on the final (premature) whistle.
The hard work by CBFC was already done in the first part of the season to cement most likely the top half finish. Stur Crazy's win putting them within five points behind, a possible but tough task to overhaul one of their closest rivals whether or not they use ineligible players again could provide some interest. A missed go at the top teams then for CBFC as surprisingly Steau Needarest hold Parcelona to a 1-1 draw. The next matchday including the top six playing each other with 1st v 2nd will shed some light for the end of the season. CBFC cannot afford anymore slip ups.
Full-Time Result: Cillit Bang FC 2-3 Stur Crazy
Goal 14 Kermit // Assist 6 Oscar