Carazur (Spa)

2

V

3

Depo Legends (Ire)

Elcombe Old Boys (Eng)

4

V

0

Legends of the Vale (Eng)

Dynamo Fucdarest 2 (Eng)

2

V

0

Depo Legends (Ire)

Carazur (Spa)

5

V

1

Legends of the Vale (Eng)

Elcombe Old Boys (Eng)

4

V

0

Dynamo Fucdarest 2 (Eng)

 

Game 6 of Group D saw an encounter between two of the three teams at the lower end of the table. Elcombe Old Boys and Dynamo Fucdarest 2 had opened up a gap on the other teams but this was a chance to reduce the deficit and get right back into the group particularly for Depo Legends who could join those two at the top with a victory (albeit having played a game more).

 

The game did not start well for the Irish lads though – Carazur were so far without a goal to their name but that changed in the first half not just once but twice. Mohamed and Biel Vilallonga scored the Barcelona based team's first goals of the day. Depo Legends were not out of the running though as a Richard Phelan goal meant it was 2-1 at the break.

 

In the second half Depo Legends launched a stunning comeback. Paul Kinsella struck to make it 2-2 and the game was turned on its head when Kinsella again made it 3-2. There was no way back for Carazur who slipped to their third defeat of the day.

 

It was a great 3 points in the end for Depo Legends and was a result that meant there was a 3-way tie at the top of Group D.

 
 
 

The next game on Pitch B was the fixture between Elcombe Old Boys and Legends of the Vale. These were two of our more senior teams in the tournament with the former having an average age in the late 30's and the latter in the mid-50's. There was plenty of experience on show in this game.

 

The two teams both had 100% records – one wanted, one not so much. Elcombe Old Boys had the maximum 6 points out of 6 so far whilst Legends of the Vale had lost both their games but did now have their first goal to their name. There was only one goal in it during the opening period as Andrew Hampshire put his side 1-0 up at the break. He was a regular goalscorer in these tournaments with 6 at the 2013 Barcelona Fives, 5 in 2014 and this was his second of the competition thus far.

 

The second half went with the form book as Elcombe Old Boys eased away from their opponents with 3 unanswered goals. Hampshire bagged his second of the game and third of the day plus there was a double for Marcus Faure to celebrate.

 

Elcombe Old Boys opened up a 3 point gap at the top – 3 wins, 10 goals, 9 points, none conceded – they were a team on form.

 
 
 

Game 8 was Dynamo Fucdarest 2 versus Depo Legends. Both teams could reclaim a share of top spot if they could complete their third victory of the day. This game was more crucial for Depo Legends as this was their last opportunity to put points on the board. They came into the game on the back of victory and another win would put them move in pole position to make the Cup at the expense of their opponents (for now at least as Dynamo Fucdarest would still have a game in hand).

 

Dynamo Fucdarest 2 still possessed a 100% record and had scored 6 goals in their 2 games to date and were on the goal-scoring trail again. They claimed the opening goal of this game that put them in control at the break, 1-0. It's an old adage that you are never safe at 1-0 and Depo Legends proved that in the last game when they overturned a one goal deficit to take all 3 points against Carazur.

 

Dynamo Fucdarest 2 were a tougher proposition than the Spanish team though and they doubled the difficulty of Depo Legends task in the second half when they made it 2-0. Depo Legends were unable to respond and Dynamo Fucdarest 2 had their third successive victory in the bag. Raj Dhaliwal and Saaj Singh the twin goalscorers for the third game in a row.

 

For Depo Legends it was disappointment as they would finish in 3 rd position. They would have Plate football to look forward to this afternoon.

 
 
 

The penultimate game of Group D was Carazur versus Legends of the Vale. This was effectively the battle for fourth place and both teams knew they would play their knock-out football in the Trophy competition this afternoon. There was obviously pride, honour and a higher league placing to play for but also the winners would avoid an extra game of playing in the Trophy play-off to get into the main Trophy draw. In theory, 4th position would also mean an easier Trophy Quarter-Final draw.

 

Going into the game Carazur had the better goal difference so a draw would be advantageous to them but they showed no signs of playing for the draw as they scored three times in the opening period. Legends of the Vale, possessing a strikeforce with a combined age of 121, did have a second goal of the day to cheer as Mark Eldridge found the net. Half-time score, 3-1.

 

Carazur added to their tally in the second half to make the final score, 5-1. The Spanish team's goals came from Ricardo Dominguez (2), Mohamed (2) and Biel Vilallonga. They had qualified for the Trophy outright whilst Legends of the Vale would have the Trophy play-off to contest.

 
 
 

Finally in Group D we had Elcombe Old Boys versus Dynamo Fucdarest 2. This was set-up to be a cracker. The first thing to note was that it was a top of the table clash. Both teams brought a 100% record to the table. Elcombe Old Boys lead the way on goal difference (+10) compared to Dynamo Fucdarest 2 (+7) but both had been on fine form today. Both teams had effectively qualified for the Cup as 9 points would be enough to go through as one of the best 2 nd placed finishers but obviously the Group D title was at stake.

 

Elcombe Old Boys had previously tasted Group success in the past when they won Group E at the 2013 Barcelona Fives with a 100% record and they started this game as if they meant business to emulate that feat. Matt Hall set them on their way before Alan Ritchie and Peter Lewis opened their personal accounts for the day. 3-0 at half-time and the game was as good as over for a team that had yet to concede. Matt Hall added his second of the game to make it 4-0 and record a fine victory.

 

Elcombe Old Boys were certainly a team to watch in the latter stages – they were the top scoring team in the group phase, possessed the best defence and were the only team to emerge from the groups with a 100% record.

 

Dynamo Fucdarest 2 would naturally be disappointed but ultimately the defeat had not done their tournament hopes much damage (save for a potential knock in confidence). They would still go through to the Cup and if they could regain their form were 3 wins from tournament success.

 

Congratulations though to both teams who had been superb throughout the morning phase.

 
 
 
Team
Pld
Won
Drawn
Lost
For
Agst
Pts

Elcombe Old Boys (Eng)

4

4

0

0

14

0

12

Dynamo Fucdarest 2 (Eng)

4

3

0

1

8

5

9

Depo Legends (Ire)

4

2

0

2

10

7

6

Carazur (Spa)

4

1

0

3

7

9

3

Legends of the Vale (Eng)

4

0

0

4

2

20

0

 
 
 
Group Phase
 
 
Trophy
 
Plate Knock-out
 
Cup Knock-out
 
 

 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
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