My friends and football followers, far flung and nearer,
The Knockout Cup semis have been had and two teams remain for the final showdown and shootout. Those are GEOS (last year's K.O. champions), and Kaplan Aspect (Blues lookin' for a blue).
Sadly, ACE are having problems getting lads together for their share of the knockout rounds (fairly understandable considering the pasting they have received of late), so they have given up and are looking to make a more concerted effort next season. Seeya boys. LETS subsequently took the match by forfeit.
On field 26 was the titanic struggle between SELC and APC.
End to end stuff this one with goals all over the place. SELC set the tone; 3 nil up by half time and seemingly too far ahead to catch. Oh yeah? Well...no! I dunno what Geoff Hyde had to say to his boys at the break, but they came back feisty as. The deficit disappeared quicksmart; 3-3. Then goal for goal right up to the final whistle which saw both teams on 5 apiece. Penalties!! Second week running for both teams; SELC lost to GEOS, and APC to Ability last week, both teams by just one penalty. Which way would it go? Unfortunately, SELC fizzled out after a couple and APC took it 4 pens to 2 (Isn't that just the way Azim?). Unlucky again Bert, I shouldn't have picked you to win
On the adjacent field GCA turned up with a full compliment. Much to the surprise of everyone, including Kaplan Aspect, who were expecting the twin towers of Tamas 'the tank' and Jean 'Cuddly Vance' Carmagnole to be on the sideline watching. It did eventually become apparent though that they were on the park despite their injuries rather than without them. The onslaught that ensued was of monumental proportions, with Kaplan mounting attack after attack and the big boys at the back for GCA slowly but surely wilting from the constant pressure. Kaplan scored one, and then scored again, with what was touted the most amazing jink, jive and feint of the season by Javier, who twisted and turned Tamas inside out and round about, leaving him to awake from such wizardry only to watch the ball spearing into the bottom corner of the GCA goal. Kaplan had given to them big time and GCA were out of the contest. A consolation goal by GCA minutes from time game gave them a respectable scoreline but Nick Sharpe after the match confirmed they were totally outplayed and lucky to get away with not losing by a handful. Aspect move on into the finals.
On field 27, Ability were there for their walkover, as predicted, as their midfield playmaker Mike Spillman, was back from injury and firing. However, GEOS had other plans... one major plan actually; mark Mike out of the game. The task was executed to precision with GEOS' midfield completely nullifying 'the mechanic'. In fact, allowing him only one shot on goal for the entire match; and that being from a frustratingly long way out. Combine that with total dominance in every other part of the field and what they got was a comfortable 3 nil win to give them a shot at the Cup and a much needed confidence boost. Well played GEOS.
Looking good for the last game of the season, next Friday eh? I'll come back to you for those predictions (although I dunno why I bother) on Wednesday.
Cheers,
Bill