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| Tim 'stretches' | The team discuss tonight's tactics |
Well, here we go again. After much close-season wheeling and dealing, Alltraders stengthened their squad with two new 'ex-professional' players to bolster their ranks. Sadly, neither were available for tonight's game (no surprise there then), so it was back to the usual die-hard format of Warren ('I don't feel well') Fiveash in goal, covered by Paul Burton and Sal (the international man of mystery) at the back, with Tim Leader and Kevin Burton covering the middle and attack regions. As usual, Kirsty was on hand with the trusty video camera to catch all the 'action' as it happened...
Caledonian are no strangers to this competition, having fielded the same strong squad year after year, invariably going on to win it. The 'Caledonian - Alltraders' fixtures of previous years have always been extremely entertaining affairs (incidentally you'll find four previous match reports on this site if you use the 'search' function on the main page!). The last thrilling encounter saw Alltraders run out two-nil victors (although I won't mention that they only fielded four regular players that night..). Therefore, it was vital for both sides to get off to a good start tonight.
So, the scene was set for the long-awaited kickoff to this celebrated yearly event - 96 teams start today and tomorrow, with the final knockout stages being played on 10th/11th August (Will Alltraders make it that far?).
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| Tim 'stretches' | The team discuss tonight's tactics |
The game started a little more vigorously than Alltraders were prepared for. There seemed to be a worrying lack of concentration in the Alltraders ranks as they sat back and allowed Caledonian the time and space to knock the ball around unchallenged. After a short spell of containment, it wasn't too long before the first controversial incident of the night turned the game. As Tim Leader gatherered the ball from a Warren Fiveash throw-out, he was quite clearly tripped by a Caledonian attacker as he attempted to turn. The video evidence clearly shows the trip, and the worried turn to the ref from the Caledonian attacker.
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| The
Caledonian attacker kicks away Tim's leading foot |
The 'Klinsman manoever' | Everyone looks toward the ref |
Unbelievably, the ref allowed the game to continue even though just about everyone on the pitch stopped, waiting for the whistle. With the Alltraders team now out of position, a lone Caledonian attacker pounced on the loose ball and slammed it past the motionless Warren Fiveash to take the lead for Caledonian.
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| The attacker picks his spot | Kevin has a crack |
With the game only two minutes old, Alltraders were a goal down. Caledonian were now on the initiative, and led wave after wave of attack on the Alltraders goal. Still slightly aggrieved at conceding a goal under such controversial circumstances, Alltraders attempted to push hard on the Caledonian goal. However, they were getting caught on the break time after time, and went on to concede two further goals in as many minutes. Alltraders were now looking destroyed with the game only five minutes old...
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| Midfield grappling | Alltraders concede another |
Alltraders were just not prepared for such an onslaught! Although battling hard, their passing was hurried and their finishing non-existent. Caledonian were now completely in control of the game, and had the luxury of a three goal cushion, allowing the time and confidence to push the ball around stretching Alltraders defence to the limit.
In Warren's defence, he nearly didn't make the game tonight due to illness. On his own admission he was to blame for the fourth Caledonian goal as he came too far out of his goal offering a huge space to his right for an advancing opposition attacker to shoot at. If that wasn't bad enough, almost straight from the kick another attack saw the Alltraders defence in complete dissaray as Caledonian stretched their lead to five just before the half time whistle.
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| A
dejected Warren after conceding five first-half goals |
Pauls covers defence |
Alltraders knew they were better than this. After all, this was the same team they played and beat in the winter competition. All that was needed was some discipline to try and make the result slightly more respectable.
After some harsh words and finger-pointing, a more determined Alltraders started the second half knowing that this kind of goal difference would almost certainly put them at the bottom of the table after the first round of games unless they got their act together.
As the half continued, Kevin and Tim started to find their old rhythm. Close to the byeline, Kevin held off two vigorous Caledonian Challenges to knock the ball to Tim wide on the left wing. His instant turn and shot found the narrowist of gaps between the 'keeper and the near post to grab a goal back for Alltraders.
Whether Caledonian thought that a four goal cushion was still too much of a gap for Alltraders to close, almost straight from the kick they allowed Sal the space to advance virtually unchallenged down the centre of the pitch with Tim Leader advancing on the right, completely unmarked. As the ball was pushed delicately into his path, Tim smashed in Alltraders second goal off of the far post. Was an amazing comeback on the cards?
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| Sal gets revenge |
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| Tim's first goal | Tim's second goal |
Things were now beginning to look a bit brighter for Alltraders, even though Caledonian were still continuing to dominate the game. Warren was now saving the odd shot, and the Alltraders attack began to look a bit more lively. In fact Tim Leader nearly pulled another back for Alltraders after latching on to a fine Paul Burton pass, pulling off a dramatic save from the Caledonian 'keeper.
Inevitably, after a sustained period of attacking play by Caledonian, they restored their comfortable lead shortly before the final whistle when a massive gap appeared in the Alltraders defence allowing the attacker time to pick his spot past the dejected Warren Fiveash in goal.
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| They just kept on shooting again ... | ... and again! |
The referee finally brought yet another entertaining clash between Caledonian and Alltraders to a close. Caledonian proved tonight that they are still a class act. Although Alltraders knew that they were much better than their performance, Caledonian were by far the better team on the night. If they continue to play like they did against Alltraders tonight, I can't see anyone standing in their way between them and another Summer championship.
Final Score:
Alltraders
2 (0) - (5) 6 Caledonian Old Boys
Tim Leader (2)
Pictures: Kirsty