Euros 2 - 5 Grecian 2000
Grecian 2000 starting line up:
GK Shorty
DF Ashley Pilbrow
DF Pete Grigorey
DF James
DM Rob Hitchings
LM Pete Pulman
CM Neil Hunt
CM Mark Gleeson
RM Mark Flemington
AT Max
AT Danny Jones
Sub ???
Sub Phil Ellis
Sub Toni Pilbrow
Report by Ashley Pilbrow
With the late withdrawals we’ve become accustomed to, I got the opportunity to start a game outfield as the third choice left back. In the days leading up to the game, we’d heard rumours that Jan Koeller (aka Chris Cook) may be missing from the Euros team due to injury. As the teams lined up, it proved to be true which meant that Rob was free from his marking duties that he had performed so well in the last game.
It was apparent early on that the Grecians looked stronger than usual. The addition of Scholesy up front presented a new problem to the Euros defenders. His movement and deceptive pace was too much for them and he scored after 15 minutes.
Now we’re no strangers to going in front in this fixture and nothing was taken for granted but there was something about this game that was different. Our midfield was on top, not just for short spells but for most of the first half. The Euros normally decisive strike force rarely got the ball and the Grecians were soon 2 up. Psycho had looked dangerous down the left but this time he attacked down the right. His cross looked like it might beat everyone including the keeper, but a Euros defender attempted to head clear to get the last touch before the ball hit the net.
With half time approaching there had really only been one team in it. Psycho was injured in an innocuous looking tackle and was replaced by...... I don’t know to be honest! Answers on a postcard to the usual address please. With only seconds remaining, the Euros constructed their first decent attacking move and not before time. The goal that resulted gave them hope of a comeback in the second half.
The second half was a much tighter contest. The midfield battle became harder as Rob was given the task of marking the Dortmund legend Koeller, on as a substitute during the interval. We soon lead 3-1 though, as we grew in confidence and continued to pass the ball well.
The Euros found a way back into the match again after a penalty was awarded for a push in the area. The penalty was converted but had to be retaken after a number of players encroached into the box. The same player stepped up and slotted away the second spot kick to ensure an interesting last 25 minutes.
Our first win was all but assured just a few minutes later. Feeling a little light headed, I wandering past the halfway line. The ball came to me and I played uncharacteristically neat ball through for Scholesy, who did the rest.
Our fifth goal came after good work in the midfield again. Neil was at hand to strike the ball home from just inside the box. Five was nearly six just minutes later, as a penalty was awarded for hand ball. Scholesy stepped up and looked certain to complete his hat-trick. The keeper made a good save to deny him and then made 2 more astonishing saves after follow up attempts from both Scholesy and Mark Gleeson.
It may have been better if the game had ended there. As the game entered the final 5 minutes, young Dave Butler broke free on the left wing. His lightening pace had taken him past one defender and as he knocked the ball past Mark Flemington, a clumsy, tired looking challenge came in and Dave went flying. He crashed into a 5 a-side goal post that was set up next to the pitch and landed in a heap with an injured shoulder and ankle. It almost turned nasty as Euros and Grecians clashed in the red mist that descended, but thankfully the situation defused and the game was halted a little prematurely. A deserved 5-2 win was the final result.
An alternative match report written by Steve Grange of the Euros is available at
www.ex.ac.uk/euros
