 MENS MASTERS XI - 14/01/2024 VS WITHAM MO50S (H)
TEAM: Mens Masters XI
DATE: 14/01/2024
FIXTURE: Mens Masters XI VS 14/01/2024
HEADLINE: Think “Magnificent Seven” and multiply by two...
LAST 16 EH MO50s CUP
Think “Magnificent Seven” and multiply by two and that sums up the Herculean effort the assembled City silver tops delivered against Witham, the majority of whom represent Essex.
City dominated the initial skirmishes with the midfield quartet (Pallister, Braybrook, Campbell and Griffiths) delivering Oscar worthy performances in guile, decision making, positioning and true grit.
The first “Surprise Package” was City’s first short corner with two (not quite “The King and I”) castles with M Brine Esq. scoring with precision.
With Ali Cargill acting as “The Double Man” (declared at outset as a defender but demonstrating true virtuosity by playing as a forward), M Brine and Mr Bailey providing insightful forays in the final quarter of the pitch City always posed challenges to their visitors.
Whilst the first half was comfortably won by the home side City’s defence adopted “The Ten Commandments” - thou shalt not pass - to thwart Witham’s attacks.
City doubled their lead early in the second half when Mr Braybrook made full use of a free hit outside the D; he jinked one, he jinked another way before crashing the ball low and hard into the far corner. At this point the game looked over but as is so often the case between these two teams further twists were afoot.
Midway through the half Witham retrieved a harmless looking ball near the base line, a simple pull back was calmly converted to make it 2-1.
Tensions were heightened when City deflected a penalty corner into their own goal.
In a “Futureworld” Mr Pallister may score a hat trick, sadly in today’s world he was close but not close enough.
Once “The Long Duel” was over, the teams inevitably reverted to a penalty shootout. City scored 4 excellent flicks (Brine, Spencer, Braybrook and Campbell) plus one (from your scribe “The Ultimate Warrior”, Black) that was a dribbler down the middle that the keeper dived out of the way of. Witham, having fired their 4th wide graciously accepted defeat.
City look forward to the “Return of the Seven x2) in the quarter finals.
Many thanks to the filmography of Yuliy Borisivich Briner (AKA Yul Brynner) for the loose theme adopted in the report.
MOTM: Simon Black
QUARTER FINALS: 25/02
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David Beake
Steffan Griffiths