With
Shock Soc ½ struggling in Group A, the
onus was on Shock Soc 0.5 to carry the flag for
the Newcastle Uni boys. They opened group B against
Sporting Lesbians who were making their debut
in eurofootballfives competition. That said, the
Sporting Lesbians did boast Martin Thompson amongst
their ranks who competed for the Fighting Pukekos
in the 2007 Prague Masters.
The
game proved to be a closely fought affair with
Shock Soc edging proceedings. Sporting Lesbians
found it tough to get into their stride and adjust
to the format of the games. Shock Soc 0.5 took
full advantage with goals from Paul Ellwood, Steve
Bryden and Andrew Hardcastle completed victory
whilst Mike Shaw and Martin Thompson opened their
personal accounts for the Sporting Lesbians.
The
second fixture in Group B saw an all Polish tie
between Atlant Opole who travelled down to Krakow
on the morning of the tournament against local
side, Barbakan. There were goals aplenty as the
supporters next to pitch A were treated to a 6
goal thriller and the first hat-trick of the tournament
from Dariusz Chocel. The Atlant Opole captain
opened the scoring before Jazienicki made it two
and Chocel added two more to complete his hat-trick.
The drive down from Opole proving very worthwhile.
Barbakan were by no means outclassed and showed
enough metal to prove they will be contenders
in this tournament. Goals from Roman Piszczick
and Pawel Jrowski were not enough on this occasion
though.
Shock
Soc 0.5 could not emulate their first game victory
as they were swept aside by an Atlant Opole side
who were beginning to take Group B by the scruff
of the neck. The goals were shared around the
Polish side with Majersfeld, Kowalski, Bucki and
Krol all finding the net in a comfortable 4-0
victory.
Sporting
Lesbians were hoping to put the disappointment
of the first game behind them as they took on
Barbakan of Poland. The signs were good in the
first-half as the English side took the lead through
Martin Thompson. They should have had the chance
to increase this lead from the penalty spot shortly
before half-time when, what can only be described
as a rugby tackle, on Martin Thompson in the penalty
area was missed by the referee who waved play-on.
A 1-0 lead at half-time was positive but vulnerable
and the cushion of a second goal would have proved
invaluable. The Sporting Lesbians held on until
mid-way through the second half when Mike Shaw
gave away a free kick on the edge of the area.
Keeper Gary Fooks had no chance though when Dariusz
Ksiazizy fired in a thunderbolt of a free-kick.
The goal gave the local team hope and the momentum
had now changed. Dariusz Ksiazizy scoring a second,
and the winner, against the hard working Lesbians.
The
final group matches kicked off simultaneously
with a top versus bottom clash between Atlant
Opole against Sporting Lesbians. The game went
with the form-book as Atlant Opole cruised to
victory with their second hat-trick hero in three
games. This time the honour went to Jazienicki
whose three goals took his tally for the tournament
to four. The only bright-spot for the Sporting
Lesbians was on a personal note who kept up his
run of scoring in every game so far. Alas, it
was merely a consolation as Atlant Opole finished
the game as 6-1 winners to secure top spot.
On
pitch B, there was a winner takes all game between
Shock Soc and Barbakan. The winner would clinch
a place in the Cup. Barbakan knew a draw would
be enough as they held the superior goal difference.
A draw was never on the cards though as a hat-trick
from Macias followed by two more goals from Ksiazizy
meant a 5-0 win for Barbakan.
The
result ensured both Polish teams would progress
to the Cup whilst Shock Soc and Sporting Lesbians
would take their place in the Plate.
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