EM95 5 v 2 Decliners

Sunday Mar 2nd, 2025

Clifton College Sports Ground

TEAM: Sir Lee, Marcus, Rick, Jim, Neil, Dan, Alex, Duds, Stu, Yinka, Drane

SUBS: Sheri, Ben, Colonel

---

SUNSHINE PUTS A SPRING INTO 95ERS STEP

A lovely spring morning, the best pitch in the league and Decliners turning up with a reduced squad of only 20 players meant the 95ers were confident going into this game though Yinka observed… “Too much title talk before the game was always a worry that we wouldn’t perform.” Monday started well, though the best of the early chances fell to a Decliner who ran on from a long ball between the blue defence to have a clear shot on goal, either the sight of Sir Lee in goal or the shock of getting in such a good position phased the striker who shot wide. The shout from the Decliner bench… “Gotta take your chances against this lot” was never so apt.

Within minutes Draner found himself flying up the right wing, with little space and nowhere to go he managed to put in a wicked cross (best of the day) for Yinka to anticipate with perfection an easy header into the roof of the net. Despite both vying for the golden boot this season, Draner and Yinka agreed Team comes first.

Alex told his adoring fans on social media… “Being on the sidelines gave me a different perspective of the game. Going around to get lost footballs gave me various views of the pitch. I happened to be next to the goal when Yinka scored a beauty of a header, right on the top left corner.”

The Blues were solid after that, Stu and Duds worked hard in midfield and the defence had little trouble at the back.

Monday went further ahead through Draner after a Duds shot was parried following some tidy build up play involving Fordy.

Then a great corner from Rob resulted in a sublime header from Jim made it 3-0.

The Blues were dominating and missed a hatful of one on ones as they kept getting in behind Decliners defence and finally got the fourth right on the stroke of half time. 

With the last kick of the half, a scramble in the box ended up with the ball falling kindly to Yinka dreaming of claiming a golden boot to go with his imaginary medals, smashed the ball home.

The talk at half time was to keep doing the simple things well and keeping a clean sheet as the title could still go down to goal difference.

With 3 on the bench, wholesale changes were made with Sheri, Rick and Alex coming on for Fordy, Rob and Neil.

As Jim observed at his press conference… “First half was all about the work and effort. Monday gave Decliners no time or space on the ball like a vintage Pep coached pressing machine, winning the ball back quickly in their half - probably why we ran out of steam on the hour.”

Typically Monday tuned the game into a boxing match, charging forward and letting Decliners do the same. The game opened and created a lot of changes for both teams.

Jim scored again, though sadly into his own net with a superbly placed header that gave Sir lee no chance.

A second Decliner goal came after Tahir juggled the ball over the crest fallen keeper.

Someone scored a 5th for Monday (lack of match reports unable to confirm who…)

Buoyed by the mini-comeback Decliners piled on which resulted in a racticla switch for the 95ers with Rick shifting to centre midfield, Draner going out to the flank and Stu dropping deep to tidy up any loose ends.

After a long injury lay off Colonel came on for Marcus and slid about a bit, mainly to nullify the league chairman (who came on for Decliners) whose frustration erupted in an angry exchange with several 95ers (and the bench) after an incident which Fordy later commented on in his post-match press conference… “Great performance only slightly spoiled when a player for Decliners went down hurt from a tackle and one of their players (the League Chairman) complained heavily that Monday carried on and failed to kick the ball out and this was not showing the Corinthian spirit however play carried on and Decliners got control of the ball but then didn't kick the ball out!”

 Yinka told the waiting reporters after the game… “It felt a little deflating that we let such a dominant position go, but at the end of the day it was a required win, 5 goals scored, improved our goal difference and a lesson for the team to keep their positions and make runs forward at the right time!”

Jim added… “Maybe we can tighten up a bit, but we did all the hard work first hour and blew em away! League almost done. 6 from 6 is bloody great work from everyone. Keep it going!”

The last word goes to recent signing Dan Thorpe who told his press conference after the game… “I thought the score was quite flattering to them. With chances missed in first and second half and some good saves, how he kept my header out I don’t know could have been 10-2. Think heat took its toll towards the end, all in all good team performance from everyone.”

MOM: ?