Knockouts Here We Come
Team News: As usual a whole host of changes. With Kermit and Oscar out on holiday, A. Muppet was raring to go after a 2 month absence along with Big Bird and Fozzie back from their holidays. This meant Rizzo moved back into the outfield position and a debut for Chris who comes in for Neil.
Previous Results: Played 3 Won 1 Lost 2 - AFC Poole Mark II's change of players from the previous team (AFC Poole) had resulted in CBFC turning the previous defeats into a comfortable 5-0 win. The match being part of the clean sheet record currently held.
First Half
To the final cup group game needing at least a point, A. Muppet had returned to the side from his last appearance back in March, he was needed to dig the team out of a hole early doors. When the ball broke free to an opposition striker for a great chance at the first goal A. Muppet got across to block the shot. AFC Poole Mark II bossed all the opening shots even through both sides had equal time in each half. With all the opening shots blocked by different CBFC players the danger came when the Poole striker played a one two and upon receiving the ball used quick feet to get a shot away the wrong side of the post. The same player put the ball wide for the second time when his next chance would fall for him although he was not left to rue his misses.
Goal 0-1 // AFC Poole Mark II
AFC Poole Mark II take the advantage when four CBFC players are out in attack. The ball knocked towards the corner is picked up by the forward runner but dispossessed by Big Bird. He decides to dangerously clear the ball out to one of his teammates across his own goal. The worst is feared when Swedish Chef lets the midfielder run past him to sidefoot the ball on target for a deserved goal.
Goal 1-1 // 12 Rizzo - Assist 4 Beaker
Just 10 seconds after kick off and the scores were level. Rizzo to Big Bird to Beaker, he picks out a chipped through ball for Rizzo to chase. The defender put in a difficult position is outmuscled and eager to get back into the scoring Rizzo cleverly lifts the ball over the goalkeeper.
Goal 1-2 // AFC Poole Mark II
30 seconds later the lead is lost once again, with a kick in dummied by one player Chef lets his marker run forward to shoot and score from a long way outside the box.
Goal 2-2 // 17 Swedish Chef - Assist 4 Beaker
Again it did not take long for CBFC to fight back and level the scores for the second time if a little longer this time. After an attack is broken down, Beaker picks the ball spreads it forward for Swedish Chef. The deflected pass is collected and with a slice of luck Chef's drag back is poked through the defender's legs. Seizing the opportunity he skips past the defender and smashes the ball into the side far corner. 5 more goals for the century of goals.
After the flurry of goals AFC Poole Mark II hit the post from long range, Fozzie had his bottom corner covered nevertheless. CBFC really should have gone into the lead after a fine counter attack from the back with all players playing a part in the move. Big Bird hooked out the cross, Beaker cleared the danger, Chef picked up the ball, A. Muppet put through an excellent pass through the defence for Chris. Chris squared it to Chef but his reaction to shoot immediately meant he put the ball back across goal with his body not in the right position.
Missing one unbelievable chance was bad enough but two was plain unforgiveable. Chris blocked a pass forward with Big Bird there to stroll into the opposition half passing through to Chef, he quickly seeked out A. Muppet in a great position. Another first time attempt was wasted after A. Muppet's killer chance was chipped over the crossbar.
The infectious 'miss great chances' trait rubbed off on AFC Poole Mark II, again after working the ball well to create a chance Fozzie dived low to his right saving the first shot. With the ball not forced away from goal, free just inside the penalty spot the forward scooped the ball over the goal by some distance. The bounce (the ever so irritating player's nightmare) just before the point of impact coming to CBFC's rescue.
Similar to Rizzo's earlier goal Chef got in behind the defence on the goal kick in the last part of the half to lift ball over the keeper but sadly over the goal also. The half ended with muted controversy, Fozzie's clearance on the cross was met by Gonzo, his further difficult clearance was sent back to Fozzie to catch. On the half time whistle the referee regarded the incident as accidental.
Second Half
AFC Poole Mark II and Rizzo both had a go in the second half, as the shots were taken from long range, neither side was dominating play and the passing on show was not a bad standard. Gonzo and A. Muppet both fought to win the ball back resulting in a terrific through ball by Gonzo onto Rizzo's run in behind, his first touch gave him little leeway for his shot after the keeper had closed the gap. Chef on the follow up shot had the defender on the line working fast to clear the ball.
Goal 3-2 (Rizzo's 20th) // 12 Rizzo - Assist 1 Fozzie
Fozzie's goal kick is misread by the first defender as the ball sails over his head and with the second defender failing to kick the ball away Rizzo is there to cushion the ball past the incoming keeper. Rizzo reaches the 20 goal milestone.
Gonzo was playing some great passes through the match, his clever pass down the wing gave Chef a chance to turn and get his shot away, just too quick to get any better accuracy on the shot. Poole were not having the best of luck, a shot from inside the CBFC half had looped over Fozzie and looked in. Somehow the ball hit the post onto the crossbar and perilously bounced on the line. Fozzie had put any thoughts of what just happened, reacted quick to grab the ball and continue the game. One of the critical moments of the match with just 10 minutes to go.
Despite having the larger share of shots, AFC Poole Mark II on another day would have converted a couple more of those into goals. Fozzie played his part making match winning saves at the death, the last save had bailed his team out. All the more important as Poole had wasted their golden chance beforehand. The striker having worked a cross gave his teammate the chance of tapping the ball into the net for the equaliser, but with the connection weak Chris was there to clear the shot off the line. Beaker and A. Muppet both had the chances to go for the fourth goal; sadly the goalkeeper thwarted their efforts.
Goal 4-2 // Chris - Assist 10 A. Muppet
On the final whistle after Fozzie makes a critical save the ball is sent forward to Rizzo by Chris, protecting the ball and wasting a few more seconds he notices A. Muppet is free outside the area. The strike on goal heading past the post is diverted goalwards by Chris for his debut goal while wrapping up the three points.
A win for CBFC and defeat for AFC Nay sees the sides swap positions in the group table. As a result Cillit Bang FC will automatically be in the knockout stages come the end of the season. A draw incidentally would have still guaranteed top spot; the players did not know this until the end of the match.
Full-Time Result: Cillit Bang FC 4-2 AFC Poole Mark II
8 Big Bird 
10 A. Muppet
Goal 12 Rizzo // Assist 4 Beaker