Well hello sports fans and welcome back. As I cut the legs off the bed I have been lying low this last few weeks but a report is overdue, so here is my analysis on today's game against our aloof neighbours Maydown.
First question: how many of their players actually come from Maydown? On a balmy November morning with the mercury hitting 16c I was down the pitch first thing and surely it is the most scenic pitch this side of richmond at this time of year. Credit must go to the residents of Beechwood for owning such a wonderful arena and also credit to Eglinton man Barry Murray who is first down every game, a lesson for all players.
With the players arriving in dribs and drabs the pre match tension was building and the loyal fans were looking for an improved Lisah' after last week's drunken antics. With the club photographer also in attendance there was a wild bit of posing being done, but Alan Duffy mysteriously went missing. The changing room before match was good craic and great to see it as that's the way it should be, just like old times. Somebody however defaced the wall with pro-Lisahally graffiti and this man will be caught and banned from Lisah' for life, the clampet. Also it was the first time in all my years around changing rooms that a man put on muddy socks from last week, the stoke. With the pre match talk delivered by Stroker, just like I taught him, and the warm up completed it was time to rumble.
We had a good team out with only Decky and wee Fernando missing due to injury and unexplained injuries. When the full team is back, competition for places will be tight so everyone will need to be on their "A" game every week.
First half was underway and a bit of early probing by both teams caused neither team much worry until a defensive slip up from Maydown let the cookie Kirk in to put Lisah' in front with a nice finish - the early nite spent horizontal jogging with fi fi paid dividends. To be fair Maydown didn't lie down and had chances but big Joe Gomez was in control and they came to nothing. With the game not up to much I went up to charge my batteries and missed what I heard was a cracker 30 yarder form Gavin Mc Shan', as Aidy calls him. Great goal from a great player - my type of midfielder who isnt afraid to mix it and has been a great addition since Stroker's appointment. He was my man of the match today, well done Gavin and keep it up.
The wee doggs went further ahead after a great finish from Micky Cookie monster, another good addition to squad and seems to have matured a bit as a footballer. You would think at 3 nil Lisah' were strolling this game but this was not the case and Maydown gave as good as they got and deserved more. With the half time break looming the management team had to raise the troops as it was a very flat and dull first half. With the half time team talk under way the highlight of half time was the lovely oranges expertly cut by number one Wag Claire. What would the boys do without them. We will have do get her more than flowers this season, 3 pounds anyone.
Second half under way once again Lisah' could not get into gear and it was time to freshen a few things up, the postman marshall came on and gave a different dimension and put in a good shift. The invisible man O'Kane came on from his return from injury and local legend big D.K. entered the fray and all did well for team. Also congrats to Mark Duffy who left at half time to start his new job with Stringfellows. As I say not much really happened second half and it was a lack-lustre performance from Lisah' with a lot of huffing and puffing with too much long range shots and some players holding the ball too much instead of doing the simple thing. Maydown missed a penalty and the scoreline could have been closer. Maybe we came down to their level but Lisahally are much better than today.
The highlight of second half was a great midfield run from Mc Shan' who was brought down for a penalty which he coolly dispatched into top corner to make it four nil and send the game out of sight. The game faded away to final whistle and Lisah' went through to the quarter finals with improvement needed to go further in this cup. However a win is a win and Stroker knows what is needed and with Celtic Swifts next week in Strathfoyle we have a great chance of three points and without doubt rise up the table for a top four finish in my eyes.
Match over and all happy there was a nice buzz around Lisah' this morning which I liked and the players all seemed in good form and together as one. Jai headed to Dublin in his formula one car and I am sure he is in good form tonight Karen. 3 pound Danny and his wag will be in good form down the Pont tonight and the wee doggs will be hitting the Sugar dancefloor for some jiveing and all the other weirdos will be cooped up playing Call of Duty. Let's hope Gomez gets a good nights sleep as he goes into the real world tomorrow with his new job drinking beer, good luck Joe. With 5 weeks to go to the much anticipated Married men Single men match, where else would you get a team like Lisahally wee doggs and our loyal supporters near and far.
Until the next time Woof Woof !!!
By Rory Kirk
No comments:
Post a Comment