Ascension : Ascension Island Football
Submitted by The Islander (Mario Anthony) 01.08.2013 (Article Archived on 15.08.2013)

Inbetweeners 1 vs 2 Retards

Nine man Retards hold off a dominant Inbetweeners to clinch all three points.

Retards started the match with 8 men and without their suspended captain Eugene Bennett, while Inbetweeners fielded a strong side sensing that this might be the chance for their first win of the season. Inbetweeners dominated possession throughout the match, it wasn’t long before Sue swung in a cross that Josh met but his header was saved by Kelly at point blank range. Bongis was the only outlet for Retards early on and managed to get a looping shot away that Chae looked to have covered as it landed on the roof of the net for a goal kick. John was the next retards player to have his shot saved by Chae when he robbed Josh of the ball to break forward. Retards were beginning to use their experience and the wind was like a 9^th player for them as Inbetweeners struggled to clear the ball and Retards took advantage of this with Bongis, John and Fuller being the major threat. But the young Inbetweeners soon found a way to cope with the wind and began knocking the ball around on the ground, Iaine found space on the edge of the 18 yard box and let rip a stinging shot which Kelly had to dive low to his left to save. Sue was enjoying the space on the right and sent a ball over the defence for Scott to chase he beat Kelly to the ball but his shot at an open goal went wide of the post. Another ball into the box saw Kelly flapping and fortunately Ben was covering until Kelly could recover. Inbetweeners were dominating but could not make anything count in the final third. On the stroke of half time, Retards broke forward into the box and a penalty was awarded when Ianie was seen have handled the ball. GOAL. Bubba stepped up and placed the ball inside Chae’s left post.

Inbetweeners started the second half with intent with the wind helping them keep Retards out of their half. GOAL. Sue picked up the ball just on the half way line and ran at the Retards defence, he skipped pass two challenges before crossing into the box from the goal line which Gilly was able to poke over the line pass Kelly. Minutes later Sue was into the 6 yard box and his shot at a narrow angle had Kelly beaten but the post rescued the keeper. On the other side of the field saw good link up play between Callum and Scott, Kelly came off his line to make the challenge but Scott cleverly chipped the keeper to score only to find out he had been ruled offside. Inbetweeners continued to play well, creating more chances than they ever had but John spoilt the party when against the run of play looked like he was going to score but blasted high over the bar. Inbetweeners were straight back in the Retards half and drew a foul from Fuller. Nathan Bo stepped up and fired a stinging shot towards goal but into the arms of Kelly. GOAL. A through ball from midfield for Bongis to chase looked to be a comfortable ball for the covering Crocky, but a slip from the defender allowed Bongis to get to the ball first and break into the box before firing pass Chae. Inbetweeners came back again with Gilly almost adding to his goal by lobbing Kelly, but the ball went wide of the post. Alex Gussie was having a good game using his pace to cause havoc and looked certain to score if it wasn’t for a last ditch tackle inside the area from Josh which saw the ball go out for a corner in a cloud of dust. Inbetweeners finished the game still dominant but was unable to make any of their chances count as Retards held out for the win, in probably their best performance of the 2^nd round.