Match Reports
26/11/05
Penguins 3 3-4 Men's 5th XI
This was always going to be a tight game between 2nd and 3rd in the table and with the influential Sale away on a 'mini break' Brighton
feared there frailty at the back would be exposed. However Glen was confident of a clean sheet.
Penguins pressed hard, but a breakaway could have lead to Brighton taking the lead however a short corner was blown before Ramzy took the
shot, this was then reversed as College complained to the umpire and then moved up a further 20 metres as he continued to complain. After 10 minutes Glens confidence was shattered as Penguins open the scoring with a slick move, which Glen saved but the ball was knocked over the line in the ensuing scramble (did anyone see feet?). Ten minutes later a mix up in defence led to Penguins making it 2 nil. At halftime, basically Brighton did not turn up. When Swampy was asked how it looked from the back he replied, "You really do not want to know."
The second half started much brighter for the 5s as they started to test the Penguins keeper however for 20 minutes the Penguins keeper, seemed to be showing some Billy the fish techniques and keeping a clean sheet
with some very fine saves, one particular save at point blank range from Benson was particularly awesome. However it was not one-way traffic, with Brighton pushing for a goal to get back in the game (Snowy was playing a lot higher up the pitch and College using what remained of his lung capacity to charge down the line), Penguins were getting a few chances to test the 5s defence.
Brighton had to change the formation as Colleges lungs gave up, Birdy was reintroduced on the left, Russell moved to the right and Joe Wells
to right back. These changes galvanised Brighton and a short corner was won which Bondy squeezed into to left hand corner. Immediately from the restart Penguins were on the attack and found the Brighton defence napping and scored an easy 3rd for 3-1.
Brighton continued to attack, and on 26 minutes, Hacking sent the ball down the right to Russell who pulled pack to Ramzy who pushed to Hacking
at top of the D, to hit Brighton's 2nd. As Penguins restarted the Brighton defence took some pro plus to avoid any napping this time. On
30 minutes Hacking picked up a pass from Wells, then sent Russell down the right, who pulled back from the line to find Bondy on the P spot to
score his second and Brighton's 3rd.
The next 5 minutes were frenetic as both sides pushed for a winner, as Ramzy sent the ball wide of goal Bondy was heard to tell the skipper
TO USE THE FURY, which is what Bondy did on 34 minutes as the ball was once again crossed from the right a scramble ensued with the ball in the
air and some how Bondy scooped it from outside the post and forced it passed the keeper a fitting hat trick goal. Brighton then held out the last minute for an unexpected victory.
The 5th team stalwarts then enjoyed a pint or two with the hospitable Penguins.
Team: Beale, Ray, Allum, Carter, Snow, Omran, Bondy, Bird, Benson, Murphy, Robertson, Hacking, Wells.
Scorers: Bondy (3), Hacking (1).