Fitting that on Eurovision day South London's Cathedral of Football rang to continental accents as the Champion Hill played host to the inaugural Supporters International Tournament, with the Rabblers entertaining opposition from the far flung Flanders fields and the Baltics. Under the flag of Belgium came notre vieux amis, PSG Belgique, whilst new friends flew in from Tallinn, Estonia in the shape of JK Jalgpallihaigla to provide the opposition for the home team the game that would kick off a Festival of Football that even the downcast skies, darkening by the minute and pregnant with precipitation that would rain down upon the hallowed turf as morning turned afternoon, could not tarnish.
At the appointed hour, the XI's of Jalgpallihaigla and the Hamlet strode out from the shadows of the tunnel for the ceremonials, exhorted to perform feats of sporting excellence by one-time Olympian, Southwark councillor Columba Blango whose stirring words of introduction were missed by our Belgian friends, still negotiating the vagaries of South London's traffic system. All the niceties observed, match officials and the two competing squads introduced to the guest of honour, and the ceremonial kick-off performed by Councillor Blango, the action began in earnest.
Before a minute had elapsed the Hamlet goal was under attack, a corner met with a firm header but a goal denied as Rabbler custodian Steve Rickerby stretched his frame to turn the ball on to the crossbar and behind for a corner. The Estonians looked strong, determined, the Hamlet fragile and when Jalgpallihaigla's nippy winger Madis (17) latched on to a cross field pass out to the right wing, it took a desperate lunge from Hamlet defender Ian Hunt to slide and cut out a dangerous low cross into the six yard box. Not long after, it was Ivo Viira powering his way into the penalty area, a fierce strike from close range blocked by Rickerby's knees. The rebound was gathered by Margus Lookene lurking just outside the penalty area but he slammed his volley into the turf, taking the sting out of shot that was comfortably collected by the Hamlet number one. Viira missed a golden chance to turn dominance into goals on 13 minutes when he leapt to volley a neat chip but to his frustration missed the target from a matter of yards.
On the quarter hour Hamlet carved out their premier opening of note as Chris Garrett set his sights on goal after muscling off his marker but failed to trouble Madis Hallimäe between the sticks, shooting straight at him. That shock absorbed the Estonians at last found the goal they craved as a looping cross in from the right wing eluded Rickerby and Remi Tamm threw himself at the ball ahead of the last defender to bullet a header into the now unguarded net. Five minutes later and the visiting centre-forward was on the scoresheet once more, the goal created by the electric pace of Madis (17) out wide, a low cross somehow squirmed its way through Hamlet legs and Tamm lunging in predatory fashion to tuck the ball home from inches out. As the half-hour and half-time loomed, midfield dynamo Phil Doyle slid a pass beyond the last line of defence into the path of Hamlet's terrier of attack, James O'Shaughnessy, his pace too much for the covering defenders but a shot wasted, lamped into the body of Hallimäe.
Barely had the whistle to start second half faded than Jalgpallihaigla were rampaging forward once more, Viira chipping a precise pass into the path of Madis (17), the wingman unleashing a fierce drive from a tight angle but denied as Rickerby hacked the ball to safety. Soon though the pendulum began to swing in the favour of the Hamlet. First Doyle let rip with a low drive from 20 yards out that skidded just wide of the upright then O'Shaughnessy, Junior escaped the clutches of the outside trap, sending over an inviting that found the head of Garrett but a header looped harmlessly over. Seven minutes into the half Hamlet eventually had the ball in the back of the net courtesy of young O'Shaughnessy, Jack McInroy's intuitive pass releasing him but this time the offside trap had been sprung and the 'goal' remained elusive. Moments later Garrett lashed a cross shot wide of the near post before O'Shaughnessy again showed a clean pair of heels to the Estonian rearguard, but having slipped the ball past the out rushing 'keeper, an acute angel proved his undoing, a shot bobbling across the face of the empty net.
Jalgpallihaigla, stirred back into action by the rabble rousing, threatened once more with Madis Kaaret powering his way forward, smote a venomous drive that hacked away by Hamlet's unorthodox custodian. Madis (17) slipped the bounds of the defence soon after, the sight of Rickerby charging from his line perhaps enough to thwart him as the winger slid the ball past the number one as he spread before him, only recoil in frustration as the ball rolled wide of the upright. Hamlet's defence was breached once as Tamm was allowed free rein on the left, chipping the ball beyond the advancing Rickerby towards Madis (17) who nodded the ball into an unguarded net only to be flagged for offside. Not that mattered much for within a minute the Estonians were celebrating for real as Madis (17) rampaged down the right, hammering a low ball into the six yard, missed by Tamm looking for his hat trick but sweetly tucked away at the back stick by Viira for a comfortable cushion.
A chance for a consolation for the Hamlet two minutes later, a close range strike slipped by Hallimäe at the feet of McInroy who pulled the trigger only for a bullet of a shot rattle back off the inside of the post and ricochet to safety. With five minutes left on the clock, the Hamlet did at last receive some reward for their endeavours, Doyle taking a punt and drilling a low daisy cutter from distance beyond the despairing dive of the 'keeper to nestle in the corner of the net. A goal of purest simplicity and as the modest goalscorer commented later, "I just hit it and it went". Who needs floribund poetry when simple prose speaks such volumes? Hopes of fighting finish from the Hamlet died not long after for with three minutes left on the clock, a Jalgpallihaigla corner arrived in the Hamlet box, a mêlée ensued and from the end of the 6 yard box Silver Nahkur cracked the ball home with a crisp half volley.
So endeth the first contest. By now the Belgians had hacked their way through the tarmac jungle of South London and readied themselves for action, the Rabblers their opponents whilst the Estonians repaired to the bar to sample the ales on offer. Short on numbers though long on talent, les Belgiques were prove themselves the afternoon's star attraction with aid of the odd collaborator from the hosts, their rematch with the Hamlet producing the sight of Dulwich's stout yeoman of defence, Mick O'Shaughnessy marshalling the Belgian rearguard against an attack spearheaded by the fruit of his loins.
PSG marked the cards with a goal in opening moments of the contest but your scribe was otherwise engaged and the machinations that led to the goal must remain a mystery to all but those involved. Quarter hour approached and Dulwich were back on level terms having endured some sticky patches, spending too long on the back foot. The goal came from Keri Ryan, possessor of a Kiwi boot more used to connecting with the strange shaped gourds that the Rugger fraternity handle. However there was little danger that this particular leather object would disappear over the posts as Ryan muscled his way into the penalty and, as he lost balance, stretched a leg to sent a sizzling bullet of a drive beyond the clutches of a 'keeper grasping at the air. Buoyed with confidence the Rabblers looked to have turned a corner but five minutes later they trailed once more as the defence was undone and a lone attacker strode forward to slip the ball under an advancing 'keeper. The action continued apace, Lawrence Marsh, Atlas of the XI bearing its troubles on his shoulders, switched into attack, the ploy almost bearing fruit as he outpaced the defence in pursuit of a hoofed forward pass, nicked the ball past the onrushing 'keeper but was denied by the doggedness of the last defender who ripped the ball from his toes as he threatened on tuck home a second equaliser. The teams exchanged goals, PSG extended their lead with a snappy finish from close range, Hamlet narrowed the deficit once more as O'Shaughnessy minor unleashed a stunning left footed volley into the top, the Belgian 'keeper gasping for air like a stranded flounder as the ball zipped past him. Back came the Belgians, twice Hamlet number one Rickerby was forced into action in the dying minutes of the half a fearsome close range strike hacked to safety then a stinging strike after some outrageous juggling on the edge of the area battered away.
Ten minutes into Act Two of the game and O'Shaughnessy minor was at again, this time progenitor embarrassed by progeny, O'Shaughnessy senior missed a left wing cross, left in an mortified muddle as the son produced an exquisite chip to leave PSG's stranded 'keeper dumbfounded and restore parity. PSG had a second gear, though, and a not-so-secret weapon in the shape of François Lucas, on his way to a hat-trick, and eager for match practice ahead of the Belgian play-offs. Two minutes after O'Shaughnessy junior had levelled matters, Lucas was danced lightly through the challenges of the Hamlet defence and tucking the ball home. An open goal missed in similar fashion soon after did not blunt the PSG advance and through Marsh slammed a decent strike into the hoardings PSG were back in command with a fifth 11 minutes from time as a right wing cross was left by Marsh and eluded a stranded Rickerby as it homed in on the far corner of the net. The scoring was done, the result certain two minutes later when a left wing raid saw the ball drilled low into the 6 yard box and a predatory strike saw the ball neatly tucked home. Goalscoring honours to François Lucas with a trio, aided and abetted by Steve Denille with a double and midfield wizard Arvid Lazaron with the opener.
A second defeat and nul points for the Hamlet but the afternoon was set for a dramtic climax, Jalgpallihaigla versus PSG Belgique for the inaugural Pa Wilson Cup, a win apiece, goal difference could not separate them, the Belgians holding the whip hand by dint of scoring more goals.
Aah, the clouds were violent and violet with shades of the darkest blue and grey over the gladiatorial pit as the guests marched into the arena for the final showdown. The Estonians craved victory; PSG would emerge triumphant should they just avoid defeat, neither team had the luxury of playing a joker in this Jeux Sans Frontiers, but perhaps the Belgians had a ace in their pack.
The stage was set, the cast assembled. Jalgpallihaigla motored out of the blocks, PSG false started. A corner met with a fulsome head by Nahkur crashed away off the crossbar. A deep ball missed by defender, Lawrence Marsh under a Belgian flag of convenience, let in Tamm but he stabbed wide. Kaaret chanced his arm with a long range exocet that zoomed a foot wide of the 'keeper's left hand upright. Jalgpallihaigla were on the rampage but lacklustre PSG had other ideas and after a header just cleared the bar, the ominous presence of François Lucas hove into view a crisp strike beating the 'keeper and finding the net despite the best efforts of last defender Kenter Peljo to sweep the ball off the goalline. Lucas was at again as the game started into overdrive, breaking through but dragging a shot across the face of goal. Jalgpallihaigla hit back with Tamm denied by a brave covering tackle before testing PSG's number one with a cracking drive, palmed out toward the hovering Nahkur, but losing the ball amidst a tangle of legs, he was unable to capitalise. Lucas struck again before the break, adding the final touches to some elegant passing inside the box but Jalgpallihaigla served notice they were still in the hunt as Nahkur took advantage of defensive slip to drill the ball home.
Perhaps the rigours of travelling and playing were starting to set in. Perhaps the defensive handbook had been consigned to the dustbin, but the second half was to produce a cornucopia of goals. Steve Denille burst through in the opening moments only to be foiled by the legs of Hallimäe. Ivo Viira, restrained until now, let fly from distance with a shot ungainly clawed behind for a corner. The ball delivered, flapped at and Nahkur took no prisoners, turning on the loose ball, from 12 yards lashing it home. Parity lasted mere moments. Defensive doddering and Nahkur was able to set up Tamm for a simple but clinical finish. Quick reactions from Hallimäe kept that lead intact as he acrobatically turned a snapshot from close range on to his post. The Belgians though seemed to lose and 3-2 swiftly became 4-2 as Lookene laid the foundations for Tamm's second with a headstrong raid down the right, pulling the ball back to his team-mate to ice the cake with a neat finish.
Whilst green ribbons for the trophy were hunted down, Jalgpallihaigla cemented their lead with number 5 as a penalty box bagatelle was finished off with Lookene smiting the ball home. Then, like their Parisian heroes, the Belgian boys awoke from their slumber at the vital moment. Less than ten minutes were on the clock when the revival began. Lucas ghosted behind the last line of defence twice in as many minutes to cut the deficit to a single goal then passed the baton of attack to Denielle, quick feet, quick brain, teasing a tiring Estonian defence, thrice carving holes on the left wing before adding a personal touch with a shot tucked low to the right of the 'keeper, one curled high to his left and finally a unfussy finish to clinch triumph for PSG mugging Jalgpallihaigla of victory that had seemed so assured ten minutes earlier.
Consolation for the defeated guests came when Silver Nahkur was named Player of the Tournament. No surprise that PSG's one man goal machine would be recipient of the Top Scorer Trophy, François Lucas septet of goals ensuring him of that. Those two awards along with a presentation to match official, Mr Freddie Collins, were performed by newly-installed Dulwich Hamlet Jack Payne ably assisted by supporter of 60 years, Brian Weber, a man who can recall when regular continental, nay international, opposition was not solely the preserve of the Hamlet Supporters' XI.
Squads:
JKJ: Madis Hallimäe (Väravavaht); Ivo Viira (8); Tarmo Linnamagi (28); Priit Kubar (16); Kenter Peljo (6); Madis Kaaret (14); Silver Nahkur (10); Sten Kreisberg (69); Kristjan Tulp; Remi Tamm (9); Margus Lookene (8); Heiki Martinoff; Endre Rannaste; Priit Ustave; Madis (17); Näss (3); Heix (22)
PSG (B): Ian Wright (GK); David Fievet; Arvid Lazaron; Said Lamara; François Lucas; Samuel Dermience; Olivier Henry; Steve Deniele; Xavier Roussett; Alain Eliasy; Alain's Brother!; Nicolas Lucas; Mick O'Shaughnessy; Laurent Marécage; André Plissant; Le fils de Michael et quelques autres invités.
DHFC: Steve Rickerby (GK); Ian Hunt; Alex Bushell; Larry Marsh; Andy Tucker; Chris Garrett; Chris Tarbett; Jason Cobb; Mark Hutton; Mishi D Morath; Ferenc Morath; James O'Shaughnessy; Dawn Taylor; Jack McInroy; Keri Ryan; Phil Doyle
Match Officials: Referee: Mr Freddie Collins
Les félicitations à Danuta et Nicolas! õnnitlusle Danuta ja Nicolas! congratulations to Danuta and Nicolas!
No comments:
Post a Comment