Football on Tuesday 30/12/08

Whites
Sam
Vish
Rush
Jay
Stas

Colours
Manu
Amit
Nav
Gaurav
Sunny

Colours by 1

MoM - Gaurav

The week between Christmas and New Year is such a waste of time - they should just push Christmas back to the 28th so we can have a whole week off...why do we bother coming in for those three days when we can be sitting at home arguing with the missus or better still shopping for furniture we don't want, don't need and can't afford.

Football generally provides some relief from the pressures of the working week (both at home and at work) however this week, as with everything else, the 10 that volunteered to 'work' the Christmas week massively regretted their decision not to email Rush to confirm that they CANNOT play…To think we could be anywhere other than pitch 11 on a Tuesday night - Ravi was in Vegas, Rajesh was having a couple of beers playing taboo (or is that peek-a-boo) with the missus and some strange couple from HK (reports suggest that car keys were involved…), and Jai was at home in his room watching p**n (again…) but at least they were all warm (some warmer than others…) Tuesday night was blimmin' freezing - good luck to the 10 turning out tomorrow…

So to the game...whites took an early lead, 4 nil up within 10 minutes, although to be honest (and I know I have a history of writing biased reports) Colours did not deserve to be so far behind. The game looked to be lost within the first 10, despite the fact that Colours had missed (or whites had saved) at least 2/3 one-on-ones and managed to hit each post. To their credit, Colours maintained the work rate and with the inevitable drop in concentration from Whites, Colours managed to claw their way back...with 7 unanswered goals.

A couple of highlights - Gaurav's left foot volley of a chest height pass from Sunny into the top right corner from 20 yards (think Van Persie against Charlton and you'd be close) - truly great goal…and Amit steering with the outside of his right boot into the bottom left corner from the half way line (think Jan Molby.)…

Colours managed to hold the lead and took the game 7-6 at the final whistle…
Well done to those that turned out, and credit to everyone that helped ensure that we didn’t have to cancel a session over the xmas break - it says a lot about the commitment people are showing to Tuesday night football and is definitely resulting in an increase in quality on the pitch week on week…

Football on Tuesday 23/12/08

Whites
Ravi
Manu
Aman
Mahesh
Nav

Colours
Sunny
Sam
Gaurav
Amit
Mone

Whites 3 - Colours 3

Football on Tuesday 16/12/08

Whites
Sam
Jai
Rush
Ravi
Aman
Rajesh

Colours
Amit
Sunny
Manu
Nii
Stas
Nav

Colours Win

Football on Tuesday 09/12/08

Whites
Sam
Amit
Gav
Stas
Rushabh
Mung'ara

Colours
Nav
Nii
Ravi
Rajesh
Jai
Sunny


Colours by 3
MOTM: Has to be Barnor, he was the difference in the end!

On a bitterly cold evening, the game started with some first class entertainment. Everyone gathered around to watch two lads a couple of pitches up, beat five shades of sh1te out of each other. That certainly raised the temperature!

The game kicked off and given that it is the Chistmas season, the Whites were certainly in the giving mood, handing a four goal lead to colours within the first 5 mins. Whites looked dazed and confused, giving the ball away and making numerous mistakes. Colours on the other hand were in no mood to let the whites off the hook, and thanks to some clinical finishing from Nav (continuing his fine form with some fine toe punts arrowing their way into the corner of the net) and Nii, really stamped their authority on the game.

With the first half of the game having been dominated by the Colours, Whites finally began to pass and move with confidence and started to pull the game back. With space hard to find in this 6 a side game, Colours were certainly making it difficult with some solid defending (Nii producing some stunning blocks coupled with groans that would not have been out of place in a German porn video!).

The Colours began to show some nerves as their lead was slowly chipped away, and when whites claimed a penalty, Stas stepped up, only to smash it against the bar (followed by Ravi taunting Stas for his miss).

Whites really began to push hard within the last 10 minutes but with time running out, the Colours kept the ball well and saw the game out with ruthless determination.

Football on Tuesday 02/12/08

Whites
Sam
Jai
Rush
Sunny
Steve

Colours
Nii
Stas
Amit
Mungara
Nav

Colours by 3

Man of the Match - Nii's words as he was clearly MoM and needed to nominate one - "Ok, I nominate Stas as I dont think he has done in a while....." Charity personified

There comes a time in a man's life when he thinks he has seen it all. But on an icy, blisteringly cold night the sight of Tuesday Night Football's players donning gloves, scarves and Rush wearing a bobble hat reminiscent of East 17 in their prime was surely something to behold.

In any case, when Jai and Sunny ambled in at 9.40pm the game finally began. Whites started brightly and quickly took a 2 nil lead thanks to some crisp passing and precise finishing by Sunny and Sam specifically. Jai looked to be nearly getting back to his old self minus the pointless running into corners and ball hogging that we have all become used to over the years (which means he may actually be a better player now!).

The Colours struggled to get organised at first but then shored up their ranks sufficiently to get their passing and possession game in order. They quickly got back into the game through well worked moves finished off by Nii and Stas.

The next 20 mins of the game was pretty tight with both teams trading blows and keeping the scores pretty level. Highlights included Sam shooting and scoring a snap shot from the half way line before Mungara had a chance to move and the great Nav Kamboh doing what he does best - looking like he's dribbling in no particular direction and then unleashing a howitzer of a shot out of nowhere to crack the back of the net.

Whether or not he had his eyes closed remains to be confirmed. The colours started to dominate slightly with their superior team formation and organisation - Mung'ara/Amit at the back, Nii roaming in the middle and Stas/Nav finishing up front. Keeping the ball well and putting away their opportunities meant the Colours sailed into the lead and were pretty comfortable. Whites had no way to break the mean Colours defence and by the time the lights went out Colours knew they had deserved their 3 goal victory.

Football on Tuesday 25/11/08

Whites
Amit
Vish
Rush
Stas
Sunny

Colours
Nav
Sam
Mung'ara
Gaurav
Jai

Whites 7 - Colours 7
Man of the Match - Gaurav for making some very good runs in the channels and clinical finishing.

On a bitterly cold night, these two evenly balanced team fought a topsy turvy encounter culminating in a deserved Draw for both sides.

The White team was the first to find the back of the net with a quickfire goal from Sunny but colours started off the better organised team and equalised and comfortably moved ahead into a 3 goal lead at 4-1. With Mung'ara and Sam controlling the back and Gaurav and Nav making space up front it seemed as if colours would go on to an easy victory especially with Gaurav in sharp form upfront with some great goals on the turn.

Alas the experience and long standing relationship of the White team in particular noting the Highgate connection, managed to get organised and half way through the game started to take control as they clawed back colours 3 goal lead without allowing colours to threaten too much with steely defensive work from Amit and Rush in particular.

Once Whites drew level they were in complete control and a tired Colours team tried in vain to break down a well organised white team, resulting only in getting caught cold on the break and moving into the last 10 minutes with the score 7-5 to the Whites.

The Colours who had effectivly been carrying a player in myself,had a final flurry of attacks in the last 10, with some great break up play from Mung'ara, good movement from sam and Nav and ultimately excellent finishing from Gaurav again. The equalising goal coming in the last minute in a fair result considering the endeavours of both teams.

Football on Tuesday 18/11/08

Colours
Amit
Sam
Nav
Stas
Rajesh

Whites
Rush
Nii
Mungara
Gaurav
Jai


Whites win by 4
Man-of-the-match: Jai

It was a slow and tentative start to the game with both sides walking the ball around and neither side threatening in the first 5 mins. Whites quickly went 4 nil up however with some slick movement and passing between Nii, Jai and Guarav (and some dodgy goalkeeping by Rajesh). Stas pulled one back for Colours and from that point on the sides traded goals with Colours coming to within 2 on the back of some good individual goals from Sam and Stas and some lack-lustre defending by Whites. Colours should have come back all the way were it not for the 5 or 6 posts they hit, 3 of them during a 5-second attacking flurry. In the end however, Whites kept their shape, defended well and finished off chances to edge further ahead eventually running out winners by 4 goals.

A welcome return to Jai after a short spell out. He was the focal of the Whites attack and this pundit's choice for Man-of-the-Match.

Football on Tuesday 11/11/08

Colours
Amit
Manu
Nav
Stas
Vish

Whites
Rush
Sam
Mungara
Ravi
Gaurav


Awesome defence results in tactical stalemate - George Graham would have been proud

Whites win by 1
Man of the Match - Mung'ara

Following on from poetry week last week, this week witnesses a return to more conventional reporting methods - thank f*ck for that the masses scream…

With a number of changes to the line-ups due to injury, laziness and concert attending, the revised teams lined up for this gladiatorial battle in the Mill Hill coliseum - in the famous words of Ivan Drago "if he dies, he dies…" bring it on…!

The game started cagey to say the least as each team tried to work off those extra pies/fags each had consumed in the previous 7 days - whites took an early lead, but were pegged back almost immediately with a Tulsiani wonder goal (which one?!…good question!) Whites continued to play the more attacking football with colours suffering from a lack of movement and at times imagination. Colours far too often made the wrong decision trying to play the killer ball when it wasn't on…it just wasn't working.

Whites to their credit were organised, compact, disciplined and lucky - they managed to score a couple of soft goals to extend their lead to 3-1 by half time…

The second set of 30 minutes witnessed a shift in balance of power - colours began to win their personal battles. Vish took Ravi out of the game, mostly fairly, although there was some question as to where his head was, as when asked to call a man he screamed "I've got Nav", cue Nav's customary girls scream - it has to happen at least once a game…Stas began to look more comfortable in the middle. Colours take a 4-3 lead…

The last 10 were a bit of a haze. Whites buoyed by Mungara and Rush controlling things at the back and Sam recovering his strength following removal of his tights decided to step up the pace…the final result 5-4 to whites.

The reason, of course a Ravi goal in the last 5 minutes. Manu and Vish managed to trip over each other, leaving Ravi to dance through and score the winner…
Unfortunately, mention must go to the various colours shots off the post - at least 3 or 4, including Stas bouncing one of both posts, me hitting the crossbar and the post in the last minute…
Enjoyable if cagey…

Football on Tuesday 04/11/08

Colours
Sam
Manu
Rajesh
Amit
Nav

Whites
The Black Star
Stas
Sunny
Rush
Gaurav


Colours by 3:
MOM – Manu probably....

The week after Diwali,
Not a an athlete in sight,
Too many jelabi,
Giving fitness a fright!

Colours played with discipline,
Whites without,
Lack of defending, what a sin!

Control Stas and Nii,
The game is won,
Colours break quickly,
Nil to one.

More finishing from the colours,
To gain a lead,
Whites are nowhere,
They play with determination without greed.

But Clinical counter attacking,
Maintains the advantage,
Whites kept away through tight defending,
Younger legs no match for experience and age.

Last quarter the game gets tight,
Whites come back to make it to 2,
Colours regroup and and put it out of sight,
Last minute goal, whites turn blue!

Football on Tuesday 21/10/08

Whites
Nii
Stas
Amit
Rush
Sunny

Colours
Sam
Ravi
Manu
Rajesh
Nav

Colours WIN by plenty!

Man of the Match - Sam for bringing back the pace and for linking up the play from front to back effectively


Apologies for the wait...but you know its gona be worth it! (and if its not keep your opinions to yourself, or even better play better so you can write the report yourself next time ;)
The game started off with the Whites gainning an early lead due to an error brought on by myself as I was far to casual giving the ball away in front of my own goal.
But the Colours managed to bring the game back with some slick moves and cool heads. Sam bringing the extra pace thanks to his new cycling regieme and Manu finding more consistent form, Rajesh with some fine shooting and Nav with an all round better game.
Nav was on form as well showing this every time he wasn't in goal with some steaming runs going forward accompanied with some cool finishing.
The Whites showed some determination with their mental attitude, clearly showing their experience as they kept their heads and tried to reduce their mistakes, but their strategy was clearly flawed as the Colours played with a deep defence and lightning counter attacking out numbering their opponents in what seemed like all over the pitch.

The colours attack was precise and deadly with all members of the team playing their part and finishing like a pro which proved too much for the likes of Amit and Rush. Colours maintained a lead through out the match which proved to much of a buffer for the white attackers to penetrate, with Stas finding it hard to get to close to the Colours goal and Sunny not finding his best finishing form.
Nii was being watched closely by the colours with myself and Nav paying special attention to the key player giving him enough room to play but not take control...

Football on Tuesday 14/10/08

Whites
Amit
Manu
Ravi
Rajesh
Nav

Colours
Sam
Stas
Rush
Jay
Sunny

Whites by 1

Man of the Match - Ravi. I will be honest and say in most ocassions Manu would be my MoM cos I like the way he plays. But Ravi lead the line very well and was a real predator in front of goal. Still too selfish for my liking though!

Unfortunately, Jay injured his ankle in the 1st 10 mins and that changed the complexion of the game. After tweaking the Teams slightly, we played 4 v 5 (WHITES: Ravi, Manu, Rajesh, Nav v COLOURS: Amit, Sam, Sunny, Stas, Rush). Whites were well marshalled as usual by Manu with Rajesh and Nav providing good support and running. Ravi lead the line like a seasoned pro and had his finishing boots on. Colours, in fairness, did not make their man advantage count through a combination of excellent White defence and profligate finishing. Their failure to recycle the ball meant that Whites soaked up the pressure and counter-attacked with purpose.

Goal of the game was Ravi's nimble turn and acceleration which took out 2 players followed by his cool finish.

Football on Tuesday 07/10/08

Colours
Amit
Stas
Rajesh
Nav
Jay

Whites
Sunny
Gaurav
Manu
Rush
Sam

Colours 9 - Whites 9

Good game. Everyone played well. I played sh** that’s why I have to do the blog. If you ever want to read a proper report don’t ask me to do it.

Man Of The Match: Everyone except me ( I preferred the old method where MoM should right the report cos otherwise I will have to do it all the time )

Football on Tuesday 30/09/08

Fuck knows the score
Was in Goa chillaxing!

Football on Tuesday 23/09/08

Whites
Mung'ara
Rush
Stas
Vas
Gaurav

Colours
Nav
The Comeback Kid
Amit
Ravi
Raj

Whites 2 - 5 Colours

MOM - tough one, I would say Nav...

A game of three games…

what a feeling…its great to be back…! Tuesday nights will now be spent as they were always meant to be, either playing football or watching it. Gone are the days of lash in Lang Kwai Fong or playing with camels in the desert - and man I am happy the later is over..!

So, the teams lined up as they always do at 9.30pm on a Tuesday night - 4 vs 4, because we had a couple of late arrivals…no not Jai and Sunny this time, but Amit and Rush (come on guys…) I am sure the idea of fines was introduced a while back, but I guess when the management are late there is no-one to enforce it - we need to get someone in as procurement officer - Ravi is front runner, given that he showed up at 8.15 (just in case there was traffic…)

Anyway, back to the game...after all the forced reshuffling by the gaffer during the day shouts of "what colour am I meant to be playing in" came ringing from all corners (well, Nav was actually the only one…) Fortunately he came wearing the darkest strip in the premiership…

Game 1 - Stas, Mungara, Vas and [Gaurav] vs Manu, Ravi, Rajesh and Nav - the colours led 1-0, with a goal from Rajesh (standard raju coming on late to a ball played from right to left, clinical finish with his right foot - 1-0)…enter Rush and Amit…

Game 2 - Rush, Stas, Mungara, Vas, and [Gaurav] vs. Manu, Ravi, Rajesh, Amit and Nav (Colours)
The colours were just too strong and too organised for the whites - the game was played for about 15 minutes with colours up by 6…the colours passing was good, the defending and organisation was better and the luck/finishing was excellent - whites just never got going, and found themselves 6 down before they knew what had happened - decision to swap Ravi and Mungara had to be made - it did even up the teams slightly, but the bigger factor was that the whites actually began to play football...
Game 3 - as above, but just swap Ravi and Mungara
Game 3 was a great game, a close game, a tight game, a low scoring game, a boring game…it basically had a bit of everything. The whites as mentioned, started to find their men, they began passing and penetrating more than they had done. Stas and Ravi began to find each other and Rush was marshalling excellently at the back. Colours inevitably found it difficult to raise their game again after the result of game 2, but still looked solid defending and dangerous going forward. They missed the target man and suffered from having too many players of the same style on the same team. Either way, the colours managed to work a system and defended with discipline throughout - Amit organised and the others followed - we were tight and then attempted to break with speed…it didn't always work, but at least we got half of it right…The whites were unlucky and will consider it a poor day at the office - next week will be different…

Football on Tuesday 16/09/08

Whites
Nav
Sam
Rajesh
Nanak
Mung'ara

Colours
Stas
Vas
Pan
Amit
Rush

WHITES WIN by 2

Football on Tuesday 09/09/08

Whites
Amit
Nav
Stas
Ravi
Jai

Colours
Rajesh
Sunny
Sam
Rush
Mung'ara


Result:- Whites WIN by 2
Man of the Match:- Stas – Having been humbly voted MoM from yesterdays game, I am not one to blow my own trumpet….but I’ll give it a damn good go!!!! Was on fire with long range shooting throughout and kept the whites ticking over.
Moment of the Match:- It is a very tight call this week between Rush and Rajesh:
Rajesh: Having picked Ravi’s pocket on the edge of the box, to tap the ball through Nav’s legs, he went into an unprovoked rant, only to realise that no one had contested the goal. This was followed up with some quite stunning put down’s from Amit!!
Rush: After crashing a left foot pile-driver against the post and then his team mates pulling a string of saves from Amit and also hitting the metal work within a matter of seconds, Rush could contain the frustration no longer and, as Sam put it, "went into c**t overdrive"!


Straight from the kick off, Stas lashed a long range effort through the crowd and keeper to get the whites off to a strong start. This was followed up with some excellent play as the Whites dominated the early proceedings. Passing and moving well, while the colours were still struggling to find their form.
After whites had stretched their lead to 4-5 goals, they started to take their foot off the pedal, which was the cue for the colours to pick up their game, which they did to tremendous effect! Rush began picking out passes from the back and Sam started to make his trademark dangerous drives into the opposing half. With Sunny and Rajesh providing them with electric pace and hustling to boot, the colours pulled the tie right back to level pegging without reply from the whites.
Colours were visibly buoyed by their resurgence, while in contrast the Whites’ heads had clearly dropped and were fearing the worst. At this point a ball dropped to Stas just inside the colours’ half, which was dispatched with a venomous volley into the colours net. This was just the lift the whites needed and they began to play with composure again. Ravi pulled off an outrageous piece of skill to pass Sam but sadly pulled his shot well wide. The game was far from won, however, as the colours kept plugging away and never let the score slip to more than 2 goals.
In the final few minutes colours managed to pull within a goal of the Whites and put them under pressure in the closing stages. But their hope was short lived as, after another one of his marauding runs from the back, Amit unleashed "The Hammer" from the angel, leaving the keeper helpless and, with that, the Whites had sealed a hard fought victory.

Football on Tuesday 02/09/08

Whites
Amit
Nav
Aman
Ravi
Jay

Colours
Gaurav
Sunny
Sam
Rush
Nanak

Result: WHITES by One

Football on Tuesday 26/08/08

Whites
Amit
Nav
Rajesh
Ravi
Stas

Colours
Aman
Sunny
Sam
Rush
Nanak


COLOUR WIN BY 3 OR 4
MAN OF THE MATCH: SAM – PLAYED FRONT TO BACK EXCELLENTLY, COMMANDING HIS TROOPS IN DEFENCE AND SHOWING GREAT SPEED, A RANGE OF SKILLS (NUTMEGS, FLICKS, ONE TWOS OF THE BOARDING ETC) AND AGILITY IN ATTACK.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH: 3 POINTS WORTH A MENTION:
FIRST: STAS’S TURN AND RIFFLE SHOT INTO THE TOP CORNER OF THE COLOUR’S NET.
SECOND: AMAN DEFENCE SPLITTING PASS TO PUT NANAK CLEAR THROUGH ON GOAL WHICH HE OBLIGED WITH A NEAT FINISH.
THIRD: SUNNY’S FINISH FROM HIS OWN HALF INTO THE BOTTOM CORNER…. NICE VERY NICE…….

MATCH REPORT: THE SECOND LEG OF THIS THREE MATCH FIXTURE
THE GAME STARTED LOB SIDED WITH A FOUR MAN COLOUR SIDE TAKING ON FULL STRENGTH WHITE SIDE. THE COLOURS STARTED BRIGHTLY, WITH GOOD LINK UP PLAY BETWEEN SAM, NANAK, SUNNY AND RUSHARB. THE SYSTEM OF RUSHARB SITTING DEEP WITH GOOD DISTRIBUTION AND THREE RUNNERS PROVED TO BE THE OVERRIDDING DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO TEAMS EARLY ON WITH THE COLOURS TAKING A FOUR GOAL LEAD.
ENTER THE FIFTH MAN - AMAN
THE COLOURS DECIDED TO KEEP THE SAME SYSTEM AND GOAL DIFFERENCE WITH AMAN TAKING HIS POSITION IN GOAL AT THE OFF- THE COLOURS CARRIED ON IN THE SAME MANNER DEFENDING IN PACKS AND FAST COUNTER ATTACKS. THE SPEED OF SAM ‘BOLT’ AND SUNNY ‘JOHNSON’ PROVED TO BE TOO MUCH FOR WHITES (WHO CLEARLY ENJOYED THE LONG WEEKEND A BIT TOO MUCH) ADDED TO THAT THE PRECISION OF NANAKS SHOOTING CAUSED THIS TIE TO BE OVER BEFORE IT BEGUN WITH AN EARLY 5 GOAL LEAD.
IN ALL FAIRNESS THE WHITES PLAYED WAY BELOW THERE USUAL STANDARD WITH LOOSE BALLS, MISCONTROL, LONG RANGE SHOTS AND TOO MUCH INDIVISUAL PLAY PROVING THAT THE BEAUTIFUL GAME SHOULD ALWAYS BE PLAYED AS A TEAM RATHER THAN A BUNCH OF INDIVISUALS.
THE COLOURS HELD ON TO THERE LEAD AS THE GAME WENT ON WITH WHITES NEVER REALLY THREATING THERE LEAD.
ANYWAY ON TO NEXT WEEK………

Football on Tuesday 19/08/08

Whites
Amit
Nav
Rajesh
Ravi
Stas

Colours
Aman
Sunny
Sam
Rush
Nanak

Whites WIN by 1!

Man of the Match: Rajesh

Great game yesterday boys, I think its fair to say everyone was giving it their all and everyone really wanted to win!

It was a tight game from start to finish, with a mere 2 goal difference being the maximum separating the two sides at any one point.
In the first min of the game I missed an easy opportunity, which was a refelction of my form for at least half the game. Sam and Nanak proved to be a fierce partnership linking up well and bringing Sunny into the attack when needed. Nanak scoring a couple of blinders from the half way line.

Rajesh showed his form with a few cheeky goals from pretty far out while the goalkeepers view was obstucted, these goals proved crucial as they kept the Whites in the game while they were playing below par. Sunny had a good game with his high energy managing to keep myself out the game for the most part but also doing some excellent runs.

Aman and myself showed the carange of the weekend in our game as we were both asleep for the most part....but it was well worth it, Aman spent most of his time in the defensive quarter trying his best to hold they lead but to no avail!

The Colours had the lead for the most part maintaining a 1-2 goal lead with Rush being the main anchor for the team threading some nice passes and building up play from the back. Whites managed to keep a shape with Amit and Stas being the main spine of the team and myself, Nav and Rajesh playing off them and occasionally switching play to have Stas as the front man.

Amit and Stas manage to control the nerve of the Colours allowing the team to keep the ball for the most part to the point where Colours were level with only 2 mins to go.

A sublime pass from Rajesh put me through and an impressive push/foul from Sam made it even easier and more satisfying to score the winning goal to make Whites the campiones!

Football on Tuesday 12/08/08

Whites
Amit
Aman
Stas
Sunny
Ravi

Colours
Sam
Nav
Vish
Nanak
Rajesh

Whites win by 4

Man of the Match (blog duty): Ravi – played back to front, defended from the back to set-up attacks, strong in the tackle, good movement and couple nice little goals

Moment of the Match:2 key moments really, first was when the colours were beginning to come back a bullet of a shot from Jay just inside the colour’s half put some light between the teams. The second was a piece of brilliance by Ravi, short pass into his feet, with Vish covering tight, a turn like a Russian Ballerina, striahgt into the bottom corner, as Gordon Ramsay says, job done!

Match Synopsis: (not as good as aman’s but have too much work to do!)
The Tuesday tingle usually starts just after lunch, the anticipation of the game ahead, well this one was supposed to be a classic. The speed and youth of the whites against the experience and guile of the colours. In the end the match fizzled out with Whites dominating majority of the match.
Match started brightly with a tight game the first 10-15 minutes the colours were drawn into a stalemate, with little opportunities for both sides, then suddenly the Whites awoke and took a 3 goal advantage. Whites played poorly, with loose balls and mis-control, the problems were exasperated by Nav having swam the equivalent of the Channel crossing 20 minutes before the game was due to start.
Game progressed with the Colours regrouping and with a 5 goal lead by the whites slowly brought down to 2 (possibly 1, I can’t remember). With the last 15 to go, the colours were a spent force, trying to push to go level, they were exposed at the back and let in 3 more before a last second consolation goal to make it 4 down. Whites played with speed and movement and defended in their half which won the game. On to next week...

Football on Tuesday 05/08/08

Whites
Amit
Nanak
Stas
Steve
Mone

Colours
Sam
Rush
Aman
Nav
Jay


Result: Colours Win by 1

Man of the match: It was a hard one to call this week...2 main contenders - Nav 'Now you see me, now you dont' Kamboh & Sam 'the caged animal' Patel. In the end it was pipped by Sam in his first game back since the autobots were crowned champions 3 weeks ago. Rumours have been afloat that his absence was down to his partying antics & photos are apparently available of the legend tanning in his speedos on Durban beach. In any case, Outrageous nutmegs, unstoppable shots, crunching tackles, a general nuisance to the whites & the all important ability to organise the colours when the going got tough, guaranteed his spot as 'el capo'.

Moment of the match: Quite a few to report on this one; Nav's head nearly popping off after Mone's ricocheted shot hit the side boards, Stas' sublime hit from an almost impossible angle, Rush flooring the big man Mone in one clean sweep...list is endless, but I decided to go with Sam's Scholes-esque shot and goal which travelled almost half the length of the pitch, through two defenders & then rippled the back of the net in about 0.894 seconds - As they say in Essex: 'Quicker than a Rabbit gets fuc.k.ed.'

The Oxford dictionary defines the word 'Perseverance' as the 'Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose'. Tuesday's game was full of this and more.
Colours took the early advantage and seized upon the whites pre-season first half display..Some great interlink play between Sam, Nav & Jay, not to mention the all important pillar of Rush to clean up any mess, ensured quick goals in succession....Colours 5 goals up..
Then the comeback...Whites regained compsure and put the colours on the back foot, Mone and Amit leading the charge with some great efforts from distance, with Steve, Nanak and Stas ready to pounce on any mistake made by the colours. They persevered and got their just rewards - Colours and Whites even stevens...
Encouragement championed by Rush and Sam led the colours to attack and press the whites, forcing them into making an error and it eventually paid off when Jay was put through by Rush to score whilst running away from goal...Cue the lights - Colours win by 1 goal.
Onto next week!

Football on Tuesday 29/07/08

Whites
Steve
Rushabh
Anil
Vish
Nav

Colours
Stas
Amit
Rajesh
Mone
Aman

Result: Colours win by 5
Man of the Match: AMAN - Simply on fire! Defended with his usual calm authority but his antics up front stole the show. Ridiculous passes, incredible energy and some sublime goals. Head and shoulders MoM
Moment of the Match: AMAN - Riquelme-esque pass through the entire Whites team which was cooly collected by Stas and nonchalantly slotted home. As Andy Gray would say "Take a boo, son!"

Football on Tuesday 22/07/08

Colours
Nii
Amit
Rushabh
Stas
Sunny

Whites
Aman
Rajesh
Ravi
Nav
Anil


Result: Colours win by 3
Man of the Match: NII - With his clinical finishing and link up play from front to back causing the major difference between the two sides.

Moment of the Match: SUNNY - Great balance and speed as he danced around the whites and finished in the top left corner.

The game started a little late due to the vast crowds that came to watch the game causing no space in the car park and thus the players having to park on the street.

Whites took the early advantage and showed their class with quite brilliant link up play between Aman, Ravi, Nav & Raj and took an early 5 goal lead. However it all went downhill from there as the tiredness from the Big League triumph on Saturday proved to be a telling factor.

Colours began to work the Whites across the pitch and had a few good strikes on goal but the metal frame on the goal stood strong. Colours opened the scoring with a good one two passing between Sunny and the 'Hammer' Rush, with Rush managing to beat the keeper at his near post.
From then on it was all Colours with the freshness of the side beginning to be the over ridding factor WITH ONLY 1 of their players playing in Saturday's final. Sunny's early bath at Goal Maar left him with plenty of energy in his tank and it showed through with his quick feet and speed beating the Whites at will. The organization of the whites feel apart with them unable to match their rival opponents for pace and this was fully exploited by the clinical Nii and the precision of Amit and Rush’s passing.

The Colours saw the cracks appearing in the White’s defense and took no prisoners with an outstanding 4 quick goals. The Whites tried to hold on to the lead and created some clear cut openings but the tiring legs of the forwards couldn’t put the ball in the net and it is was evident that it wouldn’t be there day.

The Colours stepped up the pace and eventually took the lead and there was no was no way back for the Whites.
Anyways onto next week…….

Football on Tuesday 15/07/08

Colours
Amit
Sam
Ravi
Rush
Aman
Stas

Whites
Jai
Rajesh
Nav
Sunny
Yogesh
Nii


Result: Whites WON by 3!

Man of the Match: RAJESH. It was not a difficult decision, Raj kept the whites solid as he sat back and lead by example, his protection of his goal was exceptional and seemed to snuff out most threats. As the game went on he began to push forward when he saw others we getting a bit tired, showing great team ethic, which Jai still needs to improve on.

Moment of the match: Turning point in this game was the great link up with Jai and Nii to do a number of one-twos around the helpless colours and great composure of Nii to finish off a great move by the two.

The game kicked of 5 minutes late due to the lateness of myself, and will make up by buying the next round of Budweiser's for the team (as InBev has recently taken over Anheuser-Busch). The game was set for an interesting battle as for the first week in a long time it has been a 6-side.

Colours looked the stronger side on paper and they organised quickly to put the Whites under pressure. Two quick and very early goals by Sam made it known to everyone that he had is shooting boots on! Going two goals down made the Whites organise themselves, with Yogi just getting into the game from a early toliet run.

Raj knew he had to sit back and try and control the game and the Colours looked to hold there lead and try to build on it but the Whites were fully determined to get themselves back in the game. This proved a difficult task as there was less space than normal and Whites were restricted to long shots that were blocked well by Colours.

But soon enough the Whites shone through and broke the Colours formidable defence and got a goal in it and a bit of belief. After that Whites had a couple of goals due to good link up with Nii and Jai and sudedenly Whites picked up a 1 goal lead which they were able hold and build on. But it was a hard battle and the Whites were putting the pressure on and made it 2 and soon after 3 and 4.

This didn't sit well with the Colours and they began to put the pressure on, and there were a flurry of shots on the Whites and they felt rush felt it was coming and it did with Sam on point again and Ravi squeezing a couple in to make only a goal in it for the Whites. Raj gave a few verbal words to Jai as he lost the ball and cost them a goal. Whites knew they had to pick it up.

Nav came in and showed a similar move from last week, "a now you see me now u don't", as he used the board well to get past a player and ran down the right to beat the keeper at his near post. Nii also picked it up and struck a hard left foot to rip the net. Soon the Whites regained their 4 goal lead and looked to keep the ball and slow the pace down, which prove hard a the Colours pressured as they looked to cut out the space. The Whites noticed that they were going to win this as silly fouls were made towards the end which made it more of a point to finish deserved winners!!

Football on Tuesday 08/07/08

Colours
Rush
Sam
Ravi
Sunny
Aman

Whites
Amit
Stas
Nanak
Rajesh
Nav

Result:- Colours WIN by 2

Man of the Match:- SUNNY - Came late, let several sitters through when in goal but upped his game in the last 20 minutes and provided solidity and energy to keep Colours in the lead. Hopefully, he'll STOP listening to Jai's inane drivel and realise he can do some serious damage playing in that high tempo "Anderson" role. Finishing needs to be improved!

Moment of the Match:- NAV - The swagger and the quick feet are back! His now you see me, now you don't move on Sam followed by his bullet finish was special.

Whites started off very strongly and quickly established a 2 goal lead. Nanak and Stas's movement caused trouble and good running from Rajesh and incisive passing from Amit meant that Whites kept the ball for long periods of time. Nav continued his rich vein of form by slotting in some lovely goals and Colours were kept in the game by some predatory finishing from Ravi.

Sam and Aman started to impose themselves on the game by pushing higher up the pitch assisting Ravi but in all reality some dogged defending from Whites preserved their lead. The turning point of the match came when the MoM Sunny put in a crunching tackle on Stas and then followed up with a remarkable run and finish immediately galvanising Colours. Sam, Rush and Ravi quickly scored in succession and with 15 minutes to go Colours had the lead by 2.

The ever professional Aman then started to don the imaginary captain's armband and controlled the tempo of Colours' play with the 'keep-ball' tactic. Sunny ensured Colours kept the ball with his high octane running and in the end Colours comfortably ran out winners.

Whites should have probably extended their lead during the early stages but Nanak clearly left his shooting boots at work. I assume Nanak will never come 10 minutes early on Tuesday ever again!