Perry Barcelona 4 - 6 Opposition

Perry Barcelona were edged out on the first game of the new season in a game that went right to the death and was full of controversial moments.

The team started out confident of their chances, after a mid-week mauling of the local pub team, and set out their stall early on. The game remained goal-less for a large amount of time, until the opposition hit a shot which squirmed underneath Nev's body after taking deflections off his leg and the post. However, the team rallied straight after and Dave equalised with a powerful shot after a nice one two with Az. A comedy of errors led to two goals being conceded, both of which were harsh on the team. Tapi intercepted a through ball for the first, but could only divert it back towards goal. Nev made a instinctive stop from the mishit back pass but the ball rebounded to an unmarked attacker. The second went in in similar circumstances, with Oli making a hard tackle just outside the area which led to the ball firing into the top corner to make it 3-1. The game continued to be end-to-end stuff, with many chances at either end before Tapi pulled one back with a long range drive that seemed to go through the goalkeeper.

After half time, Perry Barcelona attempted to up the tempo, but could never quite get back into the game. The opposition goalkeeper made several smart stops, before a player burst down the right hand side and struck past Nev to make it 4-2. Oli made up for his own goal with a finish at the right end that went in off the post before they scored again. Tapi ran down the left side and struck into the top corner to bring the game back to a 1 goal deficit at 5-4 and Perry Barcelona threw everything at the opposition to try and grab a deserved point. Todd had several chances, including a shot that fizzed past the post, two long range efforts before positioning for an easy tap in, only to be shoved by an oppostion defended. Despite heavy protests, no penalty was given. The teams attacking intent left us vulnerable at the back, and when Todd made a surging run forward and Matt was tackled, there was nobody back to stop their striker from scoring an easy finish with minutes left on the clock. A controversial penalty was given, for Nev being outside his area, which he angrily denied, although the player struck over the bar.

A very close game, that we were unlucky not to get anything out of. We didnt play fantastically well, but with two own goals, countless shots, penalty appeals and the like, we felt aggrieved not to get at least a point.

Team: Todd (C) Oli, Az, Nev, Dave, Tapi, Matt

Goals: Tapi (2) Oli (1) Dave (1)