RBFC

02/05/2019

No writer could ever do justice to the magnitude of this game and what happened – which having tried, is very true. (Plus, no one can really remember). So “You had to be there” was our excuse for not writing it up sooner…

MNF
Mes vs KCC Cavaliers
Monday, April 15

The penultimate game of the league run.

Two days earlier saw Revolution and San P’s play out a nervy 3-3 draw – the result we all wanted – leaving Mes a point ahead of both teams with a game in hand. This game was THE chance to take the league with one game to go!

HELUVA SQUAD: Subi, Damo, Rav, Kev, Ollie, French Paul, LG, Yianni, Alex, Rob, Tulio, Dara, Liam, Colombian David, Nico, Tommy, Will, Ben Rose, Lar, Massie, Chris D
James Nutton even turned up to watch, along with Chairman Yip and post-match entertainer James Selway – one of our biggest crowds of the season: 3 people.
Wise words came from Captain Barnett “no silly yellow cards”. Everyone took note.

Kick off.
Both teams getting a feel for the game. KCC passing well but the Mes back line keeping things in check. Few chances were coming and the game was even.

A simple foul on halfway saw KCC try to take a quick free kick. Deaf to his own words, Captain Rob stuck a boot out from one yard to stop them taking it: yellow card.
Moments later the ball was floated in and Captain Rob snapped his hairband so could take no further part in the game.

Few chances were coming for either side, with Chris having the best opening from a ball squared across the box, but, snatching at it, the ball flew high and wide.

Another attack for Mes and the ball rolls to Yianni 35 yards out. Liam yells “keep it simple”, Yianni doesn’t care. He strikes the ball with his left, into the top corner. The keeper, no chance. Mes players, bench and 3 fans go crazy and Liam seizes the opportunity to jump on and straddle Yianni. Put the Champagne (Lambrini) on ice.
Mes 1 – 0 KCC Cavs
Goal: Y. Kyriacou

The remainder of the half went by without too much to speak about.
Half time. Positive words.

The second half started a more scrappy affair. KCC upping the energy, spreading the ball and hitting the wings, but not having much luck in the final third. Same story for Mes too. Both teams desperate for the next goal.

With 15 minutes to go, the Mes defence were still standing strong… until a scrappy ball on the edge of the box wasn’t cleared and fell to the KCC striker on the edge of the box and he curled the ball into the top corner. Re-cork that Champagne (definitely Lambrini).
Mes 1 – 1 KCC Cavs

The game was still there to be won. An open 5 minutes saw both teams trying to get another. Then Yianni (I think) clattered the KCC winger on the edge of the box – definitely a foul! No foul was given and the ball was played to Liam to start an attack... I don’t actually remember what happened next, but apparently it was this: A one-two with Chris was followed by Liam playing the ball through for Chris to run onto (Liam could talk about this through ball for hours). Holding off the defender, Chris ran through into the box and with the keeper coming out slid the ball into the net. ABSOLUTE SCENES!!!!!
Chris celebrated… alone. The rest of the team had run the other way and over to the bench in jubilation. Get the Lambrini back out and dust off the dancing shoes!
Mes 2 – 1 KCC Cavs
Goal: C. De L’yabidabidoo
Assist: L. Kelly

10 minutes to hold out and the league would be ours. Given their celebrations 5 minutes earlier, KCC really didn’t want this. A battle commenced with KCC pressing and Mes countering. A few minutes later and the ball was played through for Massie. Mes all watched on as he ran towards goal, holding the defender off with each stride. Then with the keeper rushing out, time stood still. Massie, the most composed man on the pitch, took note and poked the ball between the keeper’s legs and into the goal.
FU***NG SCENES!!!
Massie’s top came off and everyone went wild. INCREDIBLE. Make that 2 cases of Lambrini, a pack of sparklers and put Erasure's finest on the stereo.
Mes 3 – 1 KCC Cavs
Goal: M. Kallon
Assist: I don’t know

With 5 minutes to go KCC came back. Straight away the KCC striker broke away for a one-on-one. Subi was having none of it, coming rushing out and throwing his body in front of the attacker to deflect the ball away.
The clock ticked down and, eventually, the final whistle blew. CHAMPIONS!!!

🏆🥇
What a game! What a season! Chairman Yip said a second division winner's medal was missing from his collection, Mes delivered.

Monday night was party night in Station with A Little Respect blasting out loud and proud.
DoD: Barnet
MoM: Yianni / Kev / French Paul / Raz / Liam / Chris ??????

One down, one to go.
Next Game: Cup Final vs USRC Gunners
Let’s bring this home! ⚽️

31/03/2019

Mes v Revo (4:30pm, Happy Valley, Saturday 30 March 2019)

“I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time… Time for a last-minute injury time penalty innit!”
We’re getting ahead of ourselves though.

Match day. A battle between the two top teams in the 2nd Division - Mes versus Revolution (Revo). This used to be a premier game in the Legal League of yesteryear. Mes who have been having a storming season against Revo who – after 2 draws and a defeat in their first 3 games – have stormed to 2nd in the league after a streak of 317.4 wins, a Nobel peace prize and awards for Best Actress, Cinematography and Short Film at the recent Oscars.
Clash of the (Div. 2) Titans indeed. First vs Second. Good vs Evil. Simon vs Garfunkel. Milli vs Vanilli.

The pre-match warm up, the boys looking good, especially in slow-motion, we’ll come back to that later.
Team: Suby, Baker, Clyne, Rav, Ollie, Liam, David Q, Rob, Yianni, Will & Lar.
Subs: Damp, Gav, Tommy, LG, Nico, Paul, Seb & Dara.
Pre-match team talk given by Liam Kelly, “We know their game. They’ll draw fouls. Get free kicks. Long balls into the box. They’ll aim for their tall men.” Armed with this information – which many Bothans died to bring us – we were ready for kick off. PLAY BALL!

For the first 5 minutes it was both teams “feeling each other out” in a rather unsexy way truth be told.
An innocuous ball is played into the Mes half. Can I say? Up until to this point in my life I had never seen someone attempt a headed clearance from below sea level before. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Resurfacing from his dip in the Dead Sea, up pops Mike Baker to head from a depth of -5 feet. Saline making his vision blurry Baker clips the ball onto his hand. Free kick. That doggy paddle will get you every time Mikey.
So, free kick, 40 yards away from goal. We’re ready for this yeah lads? Pre-match talk? Eh lads? Lads? Revo fire in a long ball in, Suby shouts “KEEPERS!”.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t.
Onto the head of one of their aformentioned tall men.
1 – 0 Revo.

Heads up chaps. We’re only 5 minutes in, lots of time to turn this around.
Mes ball into the Revo penalty area, something happens, sorry I can’t be more technical, penalty to Mes! Handball I’m now told. Up steps Lar Finnerty. The Mes fans are shouting “to the keeper’s left”. Some of the players are thinking “to the keeper’s left”. Lar steps up and places a shot to the keeper’s left. The keeper dives to the keeper’s left. Unlucky.
1 – 0 Revo still. 15 minutes gone.

25 minutes in another speculative long ball into the Mes penalty area. Dan Clyne gets there first, looks like he’s about to clear it, 2 Revo players swarm him, ball breaks loose, shot at goal.
2 – 0 Revo.

Not looking good for the Mes but everyone still battling for the ball and playing in the spirit that has come second nature to this team this season. Revo are sitting deep and holding their shape.
Another ball in the Revo penalty area, foul on Lar, another penalty. Who’s going to take this one?
Up steps Colombia’s finest, David Quimbayo. Bang. Low and hard to the keeper’s right.
Those hips don’t lie.
2 – 1. Mes back in the game.
Goal: David Quimbayo.
Assist: Lar Finnerty.

Half-time. A sterling half-time team talk from Liam. Any wise words from Yip and Picknell?
Yip “OK. Good.”
Picknell “…….”
Which as you all know, roughly translated means “What Liam just said.”
We've won the 12:00pm kick offs. We've won the post 6:00pm kick offs. We've won on Monday nights. It was only time before the league were gonna figure us out. They were going to scupper our season by playing us at a reasonable time in a very good location. 4:30pm Happy Valley. Cunning. Devious.

Onto the 2nd half then. PLAY BALL!
We’re only one behind Mes, get a quick goal then who knows. We’re still in it. This could be anyone’s game if we get an equalizer.
Ball lands just inside the Mes half, a tackle, Revo player goes down, free kick Revo.
Right.
40-yard free kick to Revo just inside our area.
Hmmmm.
I’m sure I’ve heard something about this somewhere before. I can’t remember where. But give me a minute and I’ll come back to you.
Revo take the free kick, a peachy keen 40 yarder into the box which makes both sets of fans go “wah”.
At that exact point the sneaky Revo management turn on the parabolic headlights they’ve strategically positioned around the Mes penalty area, with lumens so high, the Mes defence is caught, they freeze.
Halakazar! Up magics their Geordie Voldemort. That’s his 2nd of the game.
Will we ever learn? No. Why? Cos we’re men, that’s why.
3 – 1 Revo, 30 minutes to go.

The fans’ heads are down but luckily for us - the 11 players on the pitch – their heads aren’t dropping.
As Lar looks more and more isolated up front, subs are made. Nico Cottely breaks free fizzes a shot over the bar, 20 minutes left.
Cottely wins the ball deep in the Mes half, hits a ball over the top of the Revo’s defence, Damp falls over (still claiming the assist like) and the ball runs very nicely onto our very own Ron Barnett. Locks flowing, “Chariots of Fire” music in his head he strides towards the Revo goal. 30 yards. 20 yards. Sccchlot! Bottom corner. Laser like. Precision. If anyone ever gives you grief about playing Laser Quest on a stag again, just tell ‘em why you do it, for accuracy practice...
3 – 2.
Goal: Ron with Mes’s 100th league goal of the campaign. Pint.
Assist: Cottely... Damp may say otherwise.

“Chariots of Fire” is now replaced by everyone’s favourite 80’s floor filler, Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”.

Surely not? Could we? Can we? We’ve played with grit and tenacity, but the end product has been lacking. Into the last 15 minutes of the game. Mes try to play it to feet. Mes try long balls. Revo try to run down the clock – making a few runs with the ball into the corner. Some great tackling from the Mes defence keeps the score at 3 -2. A couple of tasty challenges involving Barnett and Clyne means there are a couple of lengthy breaks in the game. Tensions are high. It was at this moment their Lord Voldemort shapeshifts towards and threatens to destroy our own plucky little Harry Potter, Liam Kelly, claiming Liam was trying to get one of their players sent off. It was terrifying, the last time I was this frightened was when I watched The Exorcist as a 12-year-old.

It’s 5:59pm. Last minute. It’s all over. It is in my head anyway. DBFC & HK Scottish have finished warming up and are waiting to come on. I’ve already sent the defeated WhatsApp messages. "They were rubbish. I hate them all." Words to that effect.

Long ball into the Revo half, comes off one of their players, corner to Mes.
Last chance.
21 players in the Revo half – 19 in the Revo penalty area.
Two players that aren’t are Suby and Liam who is about to take the corner.
There’s a Revo player standing in-between Liam and the 18 players in the box.

At this point please note the Revo player is wearing shirt number “69” and… and… AND wearing a headband. Something has to go wrong for this fella hasn’t it?

Liam takes a proper gash corner, his words not mine, that ebbs towards the box.
Ref blows. Confusion. Time up? Freekick? Corner kick to be retaken? Deliveroo arrived?
No. The reasonably new linesmen who’s obviously oblivious to the fact that these types of penalty aren’t given in the Legal League has flagged for a penalty!
Headband 69 – great name for an 80’s covers band if anyone wants it - had stuck out a hand, handball, penalty. Told yers.
Last chance. Honest. I mean it this time.
Who’s going to take this penalty then? I’ll tell you who - Liam “Goldenballs” Kelly.
As cool as a cucumber that had snowboarded to and spent 300 quid on cryogenic therapy in a spa located in Antarctica, Goldenballs had already seen the keeper dive to his a left and to the right for penalties in this game, so, he simply hits it down the middle. Ai Caramba!
Cue pandemonium. The players go mad, the fans go mad, prawn sandwiches and rose – I kid you not, we have video footage – are going all over the shop.
Will's parents can't wait to see us next, to see how we celebrate when we actually win a game
Revo 3 – 3 Mes. Final score.
Goal: Liam Kelly.

That was the last kick of the game. We celebrated. And we celebrated some more.
Your brand of Kung Fu is no good here.

We’ve been questioned “Why the celebration?” “Why celebrate a mere draw?”.
How did it end up like this? It was only a draw, it was only a draw.
To an outsider I guess it could seem a bit too much - overkill. However, taking things into context, Mes, 3 – 1 down with 20 minutes left to go, Mes shouldn’t have got anything out of this game, but with a bit of grit and a “never say never” attitude, Mes managed to salvage a point and maintain their unbeaten league run.
20 leagues game not out.
We were told we celebrated like Jurgen Klopp after the game and to steal, and slightly alter, a quote from another favourite of Liverpool’s - the Fat Spanish Waiter - “We are 3 games away from greatness!”
True, 2nd division greatness – but we’ll take it.
Two more league games to go v Cavs and San P’s – a Cup final against USRC Gunners.
A great turnout in The Station afterwards and I’m sure Mes management would like to thank everyone that showed up on Saturday afternoon - the 19 players and numerous spectators.

I’m still chuckling – it was funny.

25/03/2019

If you can keep your head, when all around you are losing theirs, you’ll bag a hattrick my son.

A grey and drizzly morning in Diamond Hill provided the stage for Mes to face their latest test against league new-boys Wan Chai Wolves. The boys in salmon prevailed by a comfortable score line in the previous fixture, but – other than vague descriptions of a potentially gash defence - no one could quite remember what they were like. A potential banana skin loomed.

A healthy (discounting the physical state of a morbidly hungover gaffer, Liam) squad assembled, Kelly laid out the day’s tactics for the boys in salmon to chase a vital three points in the race for the title.

To say it was a slow start would be an understatement; kicking against the wind, Mes clearly hadn’t gotten themselves out of bed and were second to every loose ball - more than once they could have found themselves behind as the Wolves breached the flanks, only to find themselves toothless when it really mattered. The game needed a cool head.

Enter Finnerty.

Having turned up wearing his wife’s yoga top, Lar entered the fray with his chakras aligned and only one thing on his mind – goals. After great hassling by Dara(?), Lar picked up the ball on the edge of the box, skipping past the advancing goalkeeper, before beating two defenders on the edge of the box and smashing home into the far corner to provide a moment of quality and give the Mes a very underserved lead.

Mes 1-0 Wolves. Lar / Assist Dara(?)

The game remained scrappy but Mes were finding their feet now with Massie beginning to assert himself and, after some ping ponging around the Wolves area, Massie fired a pass /shot which was helped onto a defender’s hand by Barnet. Penalty Mes.

Still sore from the deep wounds of Colombian misfortune in Russia, David stepped up to put some breathing space into the game. They say that any penalty that goes in is a good one, however every statement has its exceptions, and this may be one of them. Quimbayo scuffing his shot down the middle to trickle Mes into a 2-0 lead.

Mes 2-0 Wolves Quimbayo / ‘Assist’ Barratt

Liam, having now sobered up from simply witnessing the first half, had seen enough and brought stern words and big changes from the bench – Chris Degsila and Yianni entering the fray after their late arrival. The message to the team was clear: don’t be sh*t anymore.

A message presumably lost to neon-clad Suby on the strong wind as, no sooner had the game kicked off, safe-hands clattered into a Wolves striker who was going nowhere. Penalty coolly converted.

Mes 2-1 Wolves

It seemed however that this was just a glitch in the Mes matrix as there was no stopping the sensational attacking riches that were starting to hit their straps: Tulio (where have you been?!), Legsinio, David, Lar and Massie all causing havoc in the Wolves final third. So much havoc in fact that what followed is something of a blur, but we’ve got this far so I’ll do my best:

Lar smashed in a second during a goal mouth scramble, later completing a sensational hattrick with another rounding of the keeper (both assists yet to be claimed).
What I am obliged to call ‘a very continental goal’ was scored by Chris D following good work from Tulio.
Massie got on the scoresheet, slotting home from a Chris pass, getting a second only after seeing a penalty saved by the keeper and almost scoring goal of century from a corner.
Even Wolves got themselves another goal.

Game over and three points in the bag, all that was left was for Liam to realise he’d lost his phone (found by a mystery kind-hearted woman – Liam to fill in the gaps there) and for the news to filter through that San P’s had surprisingly dropped points to Dragon Valley.

A good day all round, with big tests to come.

Next up:
Revolution,
Happy Valley, 4.30pm

18/03/2019

Cup Semi Final: Mes vs J Leaguers
Saturday, March 16.

The sun was out, it was 31 degrees and there was a light breeze in the air… for club captain Robbie Barnet who, when this fixture was confirmed, opted to escape to Thailand on a romantic spa weekend for one. (Roy Keane or Patrick Vieira would’ve done exactly the same.)
Fortunately, Mes mastermind/midfield maestro Liam Kelly and the rest of the Mes contingent were more hungry for a Cup Final instead of a Southeast Asian sun tan.

Not even the TKO traffic, despite its best efforts, could dent the teams punctuality (well, it did) and so a 10 minute pre-match warm up was crafted by the returning Nick Wilson while Liam called the game plan: “try to get an early goal, see if we can get another just before halftime, then play a bit erratically but ultimately hold firm in the second half for the win”.

Kick off.
J Leaguers started very energetically, spreading the ball and briskly forging a couple of attacks. Then, Mes got the ball. A combination with midfield and attack saw Mes win a corner 5 minutes into the game. Ben Rose, turning up for two games in a row for the first time, floated a teasing ball across the box, something happened and the ball was drilled against the back of Ollie, something else happening, then Nick Wilson stabbed the ball over the line. Although we were sure it was over the line, no one quite knew if it would be given, so the J-Leaguer defender smashed it into the net to make sure. Mes celebrated, which was all too much for Ollie, so he subbed himself off.
Mes 1 – 0 J Leaguers
Scorer: N. Wilson Assist (Debatably): O. Davis
Liam’s Game Plan: “try to get an early goal” ✓

French Paul was called upon and the half continued seeing a solid Mes defence of Raz, Kev, Bake’sBall, and Paul keeping J Leaguers at bay and the front 6 of Yianni, Liam, Will, Dara, Ben and Wilson breaking up play and creating some great opportunities. Pre-match, it was suggested the opposition’s keeper looked “springy”, and he didn’t disappoint… a goal mouth scramble with Wilson and a drilled shot by Raz was somehow kept out and a sumptuous header from Will looked like it was destined for the top corner, only for the keeper to leap and tip it over. Raz missed a header, which an on-looking Ed Noble has mixed emotions about given the financial loss it would’ve caused him.
Ben Rose was the next casualty, apparently his opposite number had a better hair cut than him and so subbed himself off. Chris D came on to terrorise his former club.
The half was coming to an end but Suby had his say by showing off some acrobatics of his own, tipping a shot destined for the top corner over his bar.
Then, some more Mes pressure led to a freekick to the right of the box. Liam playing the ball to a sprightly Will Harvey, darting in at the near post and heading it in.
Mes 2 – 0 J Leaguers
Scorer: W. Harvey Assist: L. Kelly
Liam’s Game Plan: “get another just before halftime” ✓

Half time. A very tired Dara came off. Colombian Dave on.

The second half started off in a similar fashion but with J Leaguers becoming more determined. Mes were trying to remain resilient, and still looking to create some chances of their own, which saw Chris D go on one of his trademark runs down the wing and squaring the ball to Wilson—all he had to do was put it in the net. He didn’t. The keeper with an outstretched arm again.
J Leaguers came back strong with a retreating French Paul getting his outstretched boot to a ball over the top, sending it 30 metres high into the air. Suby spilt it under pressure but then gathered, only for the ref to bizarrely give it as a back-pass. The J Leaguer attacker sent the resulting freekick into the top corner, only for Suby to once again fly through the air and tip it over.

Pressure was mounting and the Mes composure was waning, despite Colombian Dave’s best efforts to hold onto the ball and roll or nutmeg the whole J Leaguer midfield. More changes we made with Ollie, LG, Ben Rose and Massie coming on.

“If in doubt, aim for the channels”, so Mes did… and then the ball came straight back. Pressure was mounting and it eventually told with a the J Leaguer striker heading into the net from a freekick.
Mes 2 – 1 J Leaguers
Liam’s Game Plan: “play a bit erratically” ✓

5 minutes remained, but Mes stayed resolute. Bodies were flying everywhere and Suby tipped another cross/shot over the bar, before going down for quite some time, much to the dismay of everyone.

The final whistle blew. Result: Mes 2 – 1 J Leaguers.
Liam’s Game Plan: “ultimately hold firm in the second half for the win” ✓
Cup Final here we come!

Massive performance by everyone saw Liam’s game plan executed perfectly.

MoM: Could’ve gone to anyone. Suby’s saves were outstanding though, so he thoroughly deserved it. But he didn’t come to the pub so it was between the resilient Raz, Paul and Kev who each put in a monstrous shift. French Paul got the nod to down the pint.
DoD: No one really… then Raz opened his mouth.

5 games (League and Cup) left, 5 wins needed! Captain Barnet is yet to plan a trip in this period.

Next Match:
vs Wanchai Wolves
Po Kong Village
Sat, March 23. 12:15 kick off

14/03/2019

With 5 matches remaining, both San Ps and Revo looking to cause an upset to the unbeaten Mes, it was certainly squeaky bum time (and no I am not referring to the depraved sexual act some of the team like to partake in). The KCC Royals were next for the team to slay under the Monday night lights of Kings Park. A team in form, having beaten the Cavs and Wolves whilst only losing by a goal to San Ps, it was not going to be easy for the boys in green. Looking to use the limited space of pitch 3 wisely, coach LK decided to go with the 4-3-3 formation. The match got ready, the fans (edit 'fan') got to their seats and we were off.

From the kick off it was clear how the match was going to turn out, with Mes pressing high with their trademark style. This proved effective as they found themselves up within the first 5 minutes. Davis picked up the ball for the throw in and, like a bullet through the wind, rocketed it into the area. This ball was flicked into the danger area into the path of Finnerty who finished with a deadly, but slightly unconventional, finish into the bottom corner.

Mes 1-0 KCC Royals
Goalscorer: L. Finnerty Assist: B. Rose (was it though?)

For the rest of the half Mes continued to push for more, with Rose, Harvey and Finnerty looking to add to their tally. The midfield battle between Barrett, Kelly and Kyriacou vs their most talented players got a little heated with a few physical challenges going both ways, but Mes seemed to be in control. Dansanghani kept composure between the sticks with the back line of Baker, Clyne, Hennessy and Davis rarely troubled. Although Mes made a few chances in the half, were unable to capitalize on the lead.

Halftime talk was fairly simple as the instructions were to keep doing exactly that of the first half. 2 subs were made with the Mediterranean market in mind as Rose and Harvey were switched out for Cozzolino and de Laiglesia coming on.

Although the majority of chances were coming from Mes as they pushed to add to their lead, they were unable to beat the stubborn KCC keeper who was keeping out everything and despite his experienced nature, had some surpassingly cat-esq reflexes. Mes made further changes as Quimbayo, Greener, Maxwell, Snow and Kallon were brought in. As Mes pushed up disaster stuck, as KCC went for a route one ball, right through the middle, catching the defense out. Their leading goalscorer was the first to get to it and looped the ball over Dansanghani who was looking to rush him before he was able to get a touch. With that Mes found themselves at 1-1 and a little nervy.

Mes 1-1 KCC Royals

It is times like this where teams destined to win championships step up, and before long Mes were awarded a penalty. The ball was whipped in from the left wing by Davis for the umpteenth time as he looked to find Captain Barrett in the box. Shoved from behind the ref saw no choice but to point at the spot. De Laiglesia stepped up to look and get the team back in with a calm finish into the far left side as the keeper was unable to get to it despite guessing right.

Mes 2-1 KCC Royals
Goalscorer: C. de Laiglesia Assist: R. Barrett

The flow was still very much going one direction with Mes continuing to look to finish off their opponents. In one such occasion de Laiglesia regained possession in the middle of the pitch and carried it to the left corner edge of the area. Harvey came to offer and turned to find Quimbayo who laid it off for Kyriacou hitting it from the edge of the area beautifully into the bottom right corner. Game, set and match (or so we thought).

Mes 3-1 KCC Royals
Goalscorer: Y. Kyriacou Assist: D. Quinbayo

It seems as though the team were content with leading by 2 and the press from the front line relaxed a little. It was here when their defensive midfielder found himself in a pocket of space and hit it out over the top to their right back who took the ball down the wing and gave a low cross across the area finding their top scorer at the end of it, getting them back into the match.

Mes 3-2 KCC Royals

The rest of the match played out fairly uneventfully with a few half chances for both sides, but thankfully the final whistle was blown shortly after and Mes found themselves back at the top of the table, with news coming in regarding San P's loss vs Cavs confirming that Mes are now mathematically top. The 4 matches remaining will be vital, with Wolves, Cavs, Revo and San Ps to be played, but the future looks bright for the boys in salmon! Next up, semi final of the cup vs J Leaguers!

05/03/2019

A potential banana skin turned out to be a routine win for Mes against an OSM team that just wouldn’t give up.

With the opponents starting with 8 men it was up to Mes to capitalise on the numerical advantage and they did early when Rob “Captain Fantastic” Barratt looped a ball over to Liam on the right side of the box and he calmly volleyed the ball (right foot) straight into the stanchion with the keeper rooted to the spot. 1-0 https://youtu.be/G5XCmMPmTUg

Mes got another soon after from Rob, but my mind is blank as to how it happened...I’m sure it was screamer! Mes then probed the opposition defence but failed to breakthrough again before half time. Misplaced passes and bad decision making made it a less than memorable first half performance. There was even a moment where the 8 men of OSM had the ball in the net only for it to be ruled out as their striker was adjudged to have handled the ball when Suby kicked it at him.....Harsh to say the least.

The last action of the first half was a couple of Mes corners, which led to the handbags making an appearance (if you call Oli’s elbow into the oppo’s face handbags). Some say the number 55 is still complaining but if the ref didn’t see it then it couldn’t have happened, could it.....

2nd half got underway and Massie replaced Tommy up top. It wasn’t long until Massie grabbed his first after being put through. Rumour has it the defender got the final touch but we’ll give it to Massie. He got his second after a well worked move and calm finish.

Mes still weren’t playing great football but it was a marked difference to the first half. The last goal came from ball into the box from Liam and an absolute bullet of header from Mr Barnet to wrap things up.

Performances must get better if Mes are to pick up the Div 2 crown.

Next up KFC Royals Mon 11th March

Alan Shearer, Newcastle v Aston Villa, 3rd November 2001

28/02/2019

Business end of the season. A fantastic cup run, into the semi’s and top of the league what could go wrong. Queue sh** pitch and in Kowloon Tsai (have to blame something).

Another strong turnout, although missing Mes regular strikers Christmas party boi Lar and Hong Kong’s most lethal swiper.. sorry striker Chrissy D. Nevertheless Liam shuffled things about brining Nic up top with a strong 433 and the ever reliable Suby between the sticks.

Quick team talk before the game “high press, fast start, don’t concede”. Mes did neither of these. Conceding a soft goal with Dragon Valley’s big number 9 bundling home to make it 1-0. This kicked Mes into geer playing a fantastic second first half of football. Playing out from the back, Davide sliding through will run on the through ball ‘CUT’back and play the ball for Nico to curl it in the bottom corner 1-1. A few worldie saves, and suspect final balls meant it went in 1-1 at half time.

Second half underway and the mighty Mes seemed to fall back into old habits nostalgic of other suspect performances on the concrete slab of a pitch. Halfway through the second half LG providing a wonderful assisted throw in to the big number 9 to make it 2-1 to Dragon Valley. It wasn’t going to be our day. With only seconds remaining and after about the 6th corner and seventh throw in from Ollie the ball seemed to bundle into the goal. Noone claiming it, 2-2 and a hard fought draw felt like opening night celebrations at Soi Cowboy high fives and bum taps all round.

Next up a tricky away day at Old Speckled Men.