Game
6 and it was increasingly looking like the fixture
between Bristol Phippy FC and The Rolling Circus
would be the battle to avoid finishing 5th . The
prize for the winning team would most likely result
in qualification for the Plate rather the Wooden
Spoon competition. It was the Rolling Circus who
drew first blood in this closely contested game
thanks to a quality goal from Martin Thompson.
Thompson delightfully lifted the ball over the
on-rushing keeper and it bounced inside the post
to give the Circus the lead. This lead was preserved
until half-time. Mid-way through the second half
the Circus opened up a two goal lead as Stuart
Barnes crashed a shot against bank stanchion onto
the left post and out. The ball had crossed the
line but there was some confusion before the referee
eventually signaled the goal. If the Circus thought
they could relax and see the game out they were
mistaken as Adam Miller scored to reduce the arrears.
Nervy moments until the final whistle went but
the Circus held on to claim a vital 3 points.
Looking
up towards the top of the table saw the Lucky
Leprechauns take on Maritimo Olhanense. The Portuguese
were probably slight favourites in this due to
previous results but the Irish were sitting pretty
on top with two wins out of two. The game was
decided in the opening 8 minutes as Celso Rosario
bagged a brace to give the Portuguese a 2-0 lead.
These two goals proved decisive and the game finished
2-0 to see Maritimo Olhanense replace their opposition
at the top of Group B. The Leprechauns would now
have work to do to make the Cup.
The
Rolling Circus must have been on a high having
claimed their first win and before that only losing
in the last minute. If they were this high would
have soon gone flat as Cantona's Classicos ran
in a procession of goals against them with opposition
keeper Simon Pike having an easy ride. Ross Bryant
made it three consecutive games with a goal to
start the ball rolling. Kevin Wilsher made it
2-0 which was the scoreline at half-time. The
second half continued in much the same vein as
Craig Bryant, Rhidian Hobbs and then Kevin Wilsher
again found their way to the back of the Circus
net to complete a 5-0 drubbing.
This
opened the door slightly for Bristol Phippy FC
to sneak past the Circus into the Plate although
their final group game was to be against table
toppers Maritimo Olhanense. Celso Rosario put
any thoughts of a shock to bed by scoring a goal
in each half and with Helio Jeudorga also finding
the path to goal a 3-0 victory confirmed Bristol
Phippy FC in 5 th with Maritimo guaranteed 2nd
place and possibly winning Group B depending upon
the Cantona's Classicos result in their final
game.
Cantona's
Classicos would take on the Lucky Leprechauns.
Due to superior goal difference a win would mean
the Cantona crew would top the group. A draw would
mean Cup qualification whereas a defeat would
consign them to the Plate and instead The Lucky
Leprechauns would replace them in the Cup.
Cantona's
Classicos started like an express train and had
put the result beyond doubt in the opening period.
Kevin Wilsher, Craig Bryant and Rhidian Hobbs
all scored in the first 8 minutes so it would
have to be an utter collapse or a recovery of
immense proportions from the Irish to deprive
them of the Group B title. The second half was
not quite so destructive but they turned 3-0 into
4-0 thanks to a first goal of the tournament from
Xavier Nedham.
Job
well done for Cantona's Classicos. Maritimo Olhanense
would join them in the Cup. The Lucky Leprechauns
would have to settle for the Plate where they
would be joined by the Rolling Circus. Group B
would be represented in the Wooden Spoon by Bristol
Phippy FC. Well played all.
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