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Masters June 1st - NFC vs vs Wembley Downs (the boys have come of age!) |
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Nedlands yesterday covered themselves in glory with a thumping 6 - 1 win in its maiden appearance at the sacred hallowed ground of Wembley. Bathed in brilliant sunshine afforded by the slick roofless arena and watched by a capacity crowd of 15, 2 infants and 1 canine, NFC put their big match nerves aside in this big game to record a comprehensive victory against a Wembley Down (WD) outfit resplendent in red.
However the red faces were WDs' as NFC burst out of the blocks with repeated attacks in the first 20 mins in a ravaging onslaught of virile viagra football. WD had no answer as yet another foray on the right saw Luka pass sharply across the box for Frank to hit first time for a cracking opening goal which left the keeper motionless and NFC stunned. It was clear our goal yips of a fortnight was history, bar an unexpected penalty miss by Luka ! [What happened there Luka ?]
To WD's credit they manufactured a clever equaliser against the run of play and Douwe's dream of a clean sheet was brutally shattered. Game on. NFC kept composure and an elegant clear out from the back 4 saw Luka (noticeably lighter in weight and alcohol free this week) blitz onto the long pass, take it from the halfway line, approach the keeper, totally ignore Bolgo's call for a layoff on the left, to slot home an emphatic goal to restore NFCs lead. Brilliant unselfish play which made up for the missed pen [Still can't believe you skied it]. By this stage, NFC dominated play and provided pressure was maintained, a 2 goal lead to ice the game would occur but not before half time.
The 2nd half opened to an uncharacteristic flaccid NFC display as WD now took charge early amidst NFC lethargy. Perhaps the blinding sun in our cataractic eyes was a factor. It was touch and go for a while but WD lacked that killer touch in the final third and their climatic equaliser never came. Then an inspired substitution saw Robbodinho trot off to rapturous applause from the capacity crowd to be replaced by our Director of Coaching Tony Stewart - who summed up play, positioned himself nicely and scored a lovely goal - all within 20 seconds ! What a supersub. His Croatian surgery for food poisoning/appendicitis must have included blood bank replacement as Tony was insatiable for the ball. Some blokes are chick magnets but Tony was the ball magnet as he peeled back decades to play an impressive attacking midfield role reminiscent of Kevin Keegan from Scunthorpe Utd. From here on, it was a irresistible NFC who exposed WD's lack of pace and sportsmanship at the back with a rampant Robbodinho, Luka, Dan and Frank cutting the red wall to ribbons. The pressure told as Luka earned a penalty (despite a spectacular Richard Pearce like dive) after a trip and Big Tony Dixon stepped up calmly, miskicked the pen and scored. Robbodinho then took off his sunglasses, came back on, sprang the offside trap and slotted the 5th. Luka then scavenged the 6th in th last seconds before the ref blew time. A truly stirring win for the Wembley debutants from NFC. Solid defence, creative midfield and rampant strikeforce all linked up with excellent passing and off the ball movement. Who needs Hull City and Dean Windass at Wembley when you have NFC and Tony Stewart?
A sypnosis of our Wembley heroes follows :
1. DOUWE (goal keeper) - Had a quiet day due to the impressive back 4. Decided to relieve his boredom with one or two dramatic moments at the back. Wore a very loud hare krishna orange shirt.Some of us are still suffering flashbacks.
2. MARTIN (right centre back) - Impregnable. Our own Stalin or man of steel. Cleaned up every 50/50 chance. Whole world held its breath when their winger threatened to take him on but bloodshed was averted unfortunately.
3. RICHARD (left centre back) - Only thing harder than Stalin is Richard's head. Won every aerial duel with aplomb.Didn't cut anybody's head open this time. Fearless in the air and should have been a fighter pilot.
4. SIMON E (left back) - This runaway freight train will run through anyone silly enough to be in the way. Even ran past the keeper but failed to score.
5. MICHAEL (right back) - Numerous dangerous overlaps if he actually tried, 25 awesome throw -ins, 1 handball, 1 red bull and 2 beers. Had a major role in all 6 goals by watching intently.
6. TONY DIXON (right centre half) - Total football personified. Was everywhere - midfield, attack, pen scorer, defence and the bar after. Possible sale prospect to Chelsea for 103 mil ruppiah.
7. KEVIN (left centre half) - Our own Alan Ball. Ran all day ragged and looked it at the end.
8. ROBBODINHO (left half) - Supreme fitness plus exquisite left foot added the 5th dimension to NFC.
9. DAN (right half) - Ran amuck on the right. When in doubt, just hit it long and call out 'Dan !' Could have scored a hattrick.
10. FRANK (left striker) - Customary Viduka/Heskey holding role with instinctive radar of Luka's movement. Verbally sprayed anyone in a red shirt.
11. LUKA (right striker) - Said he would score 2 and delivered. Dodgy penalty taker.
12. BOLGO (midfield sub) - Another bonza display with gut busting running. Could have scored twice.
13. BRIAN (midfield sub) - Ball magnet on the right. Understated , solid no frills performer.
14. KEEGAN STEWART (midfield sub) - Who needs Windass ? Skilful, suave, smart and canny 30 yrs ago and showed all this for once yesterday.
15. SIMON P (ill) - Unlucky to miss the game due to acute alcohol poisoning. In the doghouse with his missus.
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