Ashbourne Allstars beat Lansdowne College 3-2!!
The Ashbourne Allstars beat Lansdowne College last night in a top of the table clash.
This is how the game played out...
The Ashbourne Allstars catching up before the big game
Managers Fabio and Steve decided to go with a 2-1-3-1 formation, with Stephan in goal, 2 defenders of Calum and Bozidar, Defensive midfielder Ali, a 3 man midfield of Limbani, Michael and Suhail and our lone striker Djordje.
The Allstars came into this big game, having lost to MPW in the last match before half term. The Allstars didn't start the game too well and for the first 15 minutes, didn't really create any chances in a very cagey top of the table clash, with neither team wanting to make any mistakes and willing to take risks.
We started the game with a bear 8 a side as Antonio, our Brazilian midfield dynamo, was running a little late. Antonio was ready to enter the game for Bozidar after 15 minutes and quickly changed the game. The Allstars stringed together a 6 pass move which was neatly put away by Antonio with a powerful left foot strike, 1-0 to the Allstars.
Lansdowne came back into the game soon after, with their number 10, who always seems to score against us, finding the back of the net after a scrappy tussle in the midfield.
Ashbourne Allstars vs MPW London before the half term break
The first half ended with a score draw, with Fabio and Steve letting the boys know that it was the worst half of Football that they had played all season. They needed to step up a gear to win this game.
The second half started with the Allstars playing some really good Football, with Limbani, Michael, Suhail and Antonio, combining really well in midfield, with a chance being created by Djordje for Limbani, who hit a right foot shot agonisingly wide.
Minutes later, a long pass from Calum to Djordje, culminated in a free kick being given in our favour and a chance for us to take the lead.
Djordje took control of the free kick and set the ball which, from the length of his run up, looked like he was going to hit a powerful shot, but as he went to hit the ball, he cleverly tried to find Bozo, who was in a great position, forcing their defender to make a last ditch challenge, which ended up in their goal. 2-1 Allstars.
Manager Fabio Carpene, no longer contemplating resignation after win against Lansdowne
Lansdowne came back straight from the restart, looking for the equaliser, but with some resolute defending from Ali and Calum and some fine saves from Stephan in goal, we kept the lead.
Bozidar entered the game for a tiring Suhail in midfield and minutes before the end of the game, Limbani was released down the right wing. His right foot cross from the by line found Bozidar, who forced the ball into the bottom left hand corner. 3-1 Allstars, with 2 minutes left to play.
Lansdowne instantly scored from a poor clearance in our midfield, which made for a nervy ending to the game. 3-2 Allstars.
The Ashbourne Allstars managed to see the game out for the last minute, with a real team defensive display. Managers Fabio and Steve were elated at the final whistle and the result keeps us in with a chance of taking the title.
Next week the Allstars come up against CIC, who now top the table after last nights set of results. Yet another top of the table clash for us to overcome...