Team WoW 4 - 1 Back Handed Panthers
(Thompson 2, Foster, Scott)
Team WoW are on the verge of their first title in 5 years after an impressive display against Back Handed Panthers last night. The Panthers were no match for a full strength Team WoW who were full of confidence off the back of their biggest win of the season last week. The defence was the main talking point during the game, as key BHP striker Chasez was very well shut down and Team WoW gave their opposition very little time on the ball. Andy Thompson gave a man of the match performance to remember, scoring two cracking goals while being a dominant presence around the court. Michael Riske was in typically good form between the posts, stifling any attacks that made it past the defensive wall.
A tight opening saw both teams producing high intensity futsal with few clear-cut chances. BHP's tactic was unclear and frankly confusing. Their time wasting efforts saw them take several extreme measures, such as the keeper removing his gloves to scratch his hands. They also performed quite well defensively in the opening stages, ensuring danger men Jordan Scott and Jonathon Bryan had minimal space in which to work their magic. Surprisingly, the game burst open when the pair were substituted for Andy Thompson and Sol Foster. Foster finally made the breakthrough on the twelfth minute. He's been nicknamed the butcher by adoring fans for his ability to stab the ball into the back of the net, which is how he converted this, his 11th of the season. His parents, reportedly, were very proud. This fostered more attacking play for Team WoW, and it resulted in two more goals for the half; both courtesy of Thompson. I'm not sure how the first went in so maybe Andy can tell me in the comments. The second was a beauty though, absolute ripsnorter. At three goals up, Scott and Bryan re-emerged but were unlucky not to add to the score.
The tension was palpable at halftime at the Aurora. Team WoW had taken a decisive lead, but they knew BHP were capable of a comeback. Adding to the corporate Team WoW anxiety was the fact that Foster was having one of those nights. He'd managed to garner at least 5 clear goalscoring opportunities since he put Team WoW ahead but spurned them all; some attempts even rivalled Bryan's notorious self-nutmeg that featured last week, but let's not get carried away. The halftime message was clear; keep up the intensity. The boys in black knew that one wrong move could be devastating against such tenacious opponents.
The second half started with Team WoW still dominant, though BHP started to throw a few more attacks forward. Riske managed a couple of stunning saves to keep the Team WoW buffer healthy, but eventually the pressure told. I didn't actually see the goal cos I always seem to be subbed off when they happen...weird. At 3 - 1 Team WoW were getting anxious, but Scott gave them some free therapy soon after in the form of a stunning goal. The BHP keeper, nicknamed smug because of that smug look he always has on his face, took the ball cleanly from a Team WoW kick-in. While he was still off balance, however, he fell into one of his own defenders and dropped the ball. It was an early birthday present for the soon to be 21 Scott, who slid the ball in from a tightish angle. The game heated up for the closing 5 minutes, with BHP looking to give Team WoW one final scare. It featured professional foul from the last defender, an almost fight between Scott and some retard, and a thrilling moment in which big bad Riske slammed some poor bloke into the goal post and somehow earned himself a free kick. Despite this, when the final buzzer sounded the score was 4 - 1, with Team WoW advancing.
"At the end of the day, I'm happy with the result," man of the match Thompson commented at the close of the game. "We deserved the win and most importantly we all had lots of fun." In other results, Dynamo overcame Dilligaf after extra time in a thrilling 12 - 10 contest, setting up a 1st vs 2nd final. Catch the boys live at 8:15 for that one!
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