'AVE IT!
Reports
Leftfooters the Rivals – North v South
Saturday 17th September, 2005
Regents Park
Well where to start?! The morning of the `big match'. After such hype,
would the two teams really live up to the billing they'd given themselves?
It seemed that most had taken to drink the previous evening at Jimmy
Smith's birthday to either combat the nerves or attempt to sabotage
the opposition. Though for a certain
Welshman who will remain nameless (thank me later Chris S), this was
pretty much unnecessary though highly comical.
We arrived at the ground with high spirits and sore heads to get our first glimpse of the new changing rooms which are to be home to the footers for years to come, and they didn't disappoint. If you've ever wondered what a Hobbit hole would look like converted into a swanky leisure centre then look no further. They even provided a fitty to man the front desk. Mikey seemed a little concerned for his team's chances when only 3 players had arrived by 11:30 due to transport and sauna problems though equally it could've been the combination of a 3am curry and white shorts.
The North took the home changing rooms and the traditional red and
white
kits whilst the South took the away room, with limited edition change
kits.
Finally the time for talking was over and the action began to find
out what each of the teams was really made of. The North had sustained
spells of pressure and created a few chances only to be denied on numerous
occasions some solid saves from Thierry and some bloomin' good defending.
Despite this they were made to worry on a number of occasions as the
South broke swiftly with well worked counter attacks which could have
proved costly to the North. The conflicting strategies were apparent
with the North sticking to a flat 4-4-2 commanded the possession in
the middle of the field whilst the South's diamond saw them countering
with speed down the wings. In the first half alone the South registered
9 attempts on goal but none of them had the bite to beat a calm Theo
between
the North's sticks. Probably the most controversial moment of the half
came when John L was seemingly felled by two separate players at the
same time. A certain penalty it seemed to everyone, especially after
another defender had given John a sly kick while he was down, but the
referee deemed it a quirk of South London culture and play was waved
on.
Half time and the teams were tied 0-0. Both North & South had played attractive football though neither looked like making a breakthrough. Changes were made by both managers – some tactical & some due to dehydration. Could the South team (and their Blue Peter-esque kits) hold out for another 45 minutes or would the North make their superior possession tell?
After the break the action continued in much the same vein, some inspired
performances from the South as a defensive unit (notably Ritchie Cafubell)
kept the scores even and a quickly taken corner gave Mikey a volley
at goal from an acute angle which went narrowly wide for a throw. The
North racked up chances of their own, cutting through the midfield with
ease and making a mockery of the
South's tactic of playing the offside trap in the opponents half.
Still 0-0 with the 80 minute mark approaching and the Northerners feeling it may not be their day after so many chances had gone begging.
The South were growing in confidence that maybe they could get the one goal to win it. Richy Cafubell then lightened the mood of the game, feeling the need to tackle himself on the right wing to the delight of the North's supporters and everyone else on the pitch.
Another South counter attack and a high ball sent over the top saw Antonio running in from one side and Mikey in from the other. It would need a good connection to beat a solid and impressive Theo but Baldini made sure neither of them got a chance to find out by outpacing them both to be first to the ball and show them how it's done and beautifully half-volleying it straight over a stranded keeper into the goal from 20 odd yards. A truly stunning finish!! Unfortunately in the wrong end. 1-0 to South with a Baldini own goal and the Southerners basking in the glory of taking a late lead. The songs of jubilation however, were to prove to be short lived.
The shock of having fallen behind seemed to frighten the north into
more urgent action and a low shot across Thierry from the sprightly
Chris S was well saved but the keeper couldn't hold onto it, Haffi being
the first to react to the loose ball scored from no more than 5 yards.
1-1 and not over yet. The North had really got the bit between their
teeth and the game had opened up considerably from the early exchanges.
A corner to the North seemed to have been well defended until Chris
S hooked the ball back over everyone and into the net, 2-1 with full
time approaching. Both teams seemed to be tiring but the evergreen Pete
C had just enough energy to pounce on a ball rolled across the front
of the box and hit a rocket straight past a despairing Thierry into
the top corner for 3-1 to the North.
A great comeback and probably just about deserved on possession.
Minutes later and full time was called. Every Leftfooter had played well and enjoyed what was a competitive but clean match. The return leg has been scheduled for March with the North taking a two goal aggregate lead down to the murky depths of South London, but the bragging rights are safe for now at least, north of the river Thames.
North squad:
Baby Dave
Chris S (1, 82ish)
Steve C
Mark B (OG, 78ish)
Scott
Pete C (1, 86ish)
Theo
Vince
Craig
Steve M
Oli D
John L
Haffi (1, 80ish)
Alex J
Gianni
Sarf squad:
Mikey C
Darren
Gary
James M
Thierry
Ian H
Richard H
Richard L
Kev T
Brian S
Richy C
Antonio
Alex
Trev W
Composed by 'baby' Dave(North), edited by Mikey 'gayczar' Collins
(South) to provide 'balanced bias'