A New Butcher In Town
Pro FA Hammersmith 1-0 GPR
Bart made the headlines in this weekend’s matchup with two goal saving challenges deep in the second half. One was a brilliant last ditch block on the line, the other, slightly less honourable, saw him receive his marching orders in a memorable cameo.
With Storm Eowyn on the horizon for much of the week, we were warned that it would hit at some point during the second half. But before then, we’d have to weather a storm of our own against academy hopefuls, PROFA.
Having fallen flat against them in the opening fixture, 5-2, the warning signs were there that it would not be an easy return to our old home pitch at Kings House.
The result was a cagey affair for much of the opening period of the match, with both sides having chances. The opposition’s youthful side made more attempts, but Oli was equal to each of them, including a fantastic stop on the line with a strong palm from a close-range effort.
Our counter attacks were fleeting as we struggled to settle, but we looked dangerous when we got into their half. Joel and Sina were tussling down the channels, and both were able to find several crosses into the box, but they couldn’t be latched onto.
Marcus had an attempt from a corner that lingered uneasily in the box, but the mass of bodies blocked his effort.
PROFA were starting to really get on top at the end of the first half, and it’s a credit to the lads that the game proved to be so close in the end. However, shortly before the break, a free kick led to a counter attack that gave the pesky full back, who’d terrorised us in the last game, a golden opportunity.
In full retreat, we tried to stop his explosive pace, but he darted into the box on the left hand side and struck the ball into the far corner with too much power to keep out. 0-1.
We made adjustments at the half, knowing we could all improve despite the challenge in front of us. Immediately, we looked to go on the front foot, and Sina’s direct running on the wings landed us with a free kick from deep that caused a flurry of clearances, but ultimately led to a goal kick.
Both sides made changes throughout, and it looked as if another goal was imminent from somewhere. Midway through the second half, some brilliant link up play down the left flank allowed Sam to get forward and play in Rafael.
He linked up with Marcus, who cut in and looked to cross. The ball in found Rory at the back post, who squared it to Josh, only for his effort to be blocked by the outstretched boot of the defender, for what would have been our best chance to score.
As we ramped up our efforts to get something from the game, the momentum started to turn. PROFA could have settled matters, but an open goal miss provided a glimmer of hope.
Shortly after, Bart had to scramble back after a dangerous cross was knocked back to their striker. He placed the ball to the corner, which beat Oli, but the “New Butcher in Town” did brilliantly to deny their second goal and keep us in it.
At the death, we won a free kick on the edge of the area. Robert stepped up, but couldn’t surmount the wall, and as PROFA aimed to counter again, it was up to Bart to stop them.
As their striker tried to turn out, Bart first looked to trip him, then, in a moment of impressive quick decision making, decided to rugby tackle him instead. He was laughing as he was dismissed, and later commented that “in my country I would be held up and celebrated as a king”.
Okay, chief.
The ref blew soon after, condemning us to our first dropped points in five games. We held our heads high though, having improved on our first half performance and knowing that, all things considered, there was no shame in the scoreline.
The opposition deserved their win, but that’s football, and we’ll be back to take on Chiswick Celtics Reserves next week, having won comfortably last month.
Come on you Salads!
MOTM 💫 = Oli’s shot stopping throughout the game was a joy to behold and he definitely deserves MOTM this time.
DOTD 👀 = Bart.
