TWFC

We were short on numbers so Liniker made another guest appearance and Alleyne also kindly made his first guest appearance. We also gifted five minutes of our slot to the team before us because their match had been interrupted for the Sports Centre to adjust the goals.

Despite being injured, MarkA attended both to film and as a sort of referee. Actually we will call him more of an arbiter than a referee. Irrespective of the designation we were grateful for his presence (there was a Star Wars IV A New Hope joke somewhere in there but I couldn't structure it properly). This is why we need Steve to start writing match reports.

We thank VIIGeorgeVII for picking the sides this week. Fresh from the record books performance of only conceding one goal last week Coach Hagenius needed to inspire an equivalent level performance again to prove it wasn't a fluke.

Within seven minutes JakeFlowers picked up where he left off from the previous week and bagged himself a quick fire brace to put the Orange Bibs 2 - 0 ahead. On the stroke of 10 minutes Guest Alleyne showed those around that the essential first part of scoring is shooting on target, as he sent a speculative effort goal bound and was rewarded with a debut goal. Game on.

Dark Tops 1 - 2 Orange Bibs. Taking heart from this Guest Liniker accepted the kindness of the whole Orange Bibs defence parting for him and rifled in a second for the Dark Tops.

Dark Tops 2 - 2 Orange Bibs.

The Guests were hurting Coach Hagenius and asking questions as to whether he could adapt a team to a different set of threats.

Liniker went in goal for the Dark Tops thereby releasing VIIGeorgeVII on to the pitch and giving the Orange Bibs another formation to deal with.

Jumhal joined the party on 16 minutes when he simply wrong footed the Orange Bibs' keeper as he slipped the ball home. The Orange Bibs were in disarray. Can anyone contend with a team that can pose so many different goal scoring avenues?

Dark Tops 3 - 2 Orange Bibs.

In the match video we notice Hagenius take himself on to his team's right flank of the midfield. This was totally unexpected, he gave the ball to Elvis who set off on a trade mark mazy run down the center. With all eyes on himself all Elvis had to do was release the ball to Hagenius who beat the keeper to bring the scores level. When the ball rebounded out of the net Elvis then booted it triumphantly at Liniker as if to say 'have a bit of that'.

Dark Tops 3 - 3 Orange Bibs.

Emulating Hagenius, JonF scored from his team's right flank but this time further out, closer to the halfway line, and the Orange Bibs were back in front.

Dark Tops 3 - 4 Orange Bibs

Jumhal went in goal for the Dark Tops.

A JonF to Ed then Ed to Elvis move gave Elvis clear sight of goal. There was nothing the keeper could do against Elvis's precision finish.

Dark Tops 3 - 5 Orange Bibs .

AndyHibbert and Rlionlewis were probing and probing for the Dark Tops but The Orange Bibs had worked things out and were containing their opposition and breaking away from them when given the chance.

A miss from Hagenius left JakeFlowers with a tap in to bring up his hat-trick. Do not underestimate a tap in, you can only get one if you put yourself in the right place. Stop Rewind ... 'A miss from Hagenius ...' he was supposed to be in defence stopping the onslaught. And herein we have our lesson. Give Coach Hagenius enough time to set up his defensive structure the way he wants it then he becomes free to saunter forward himself.

Dark Tops 3 - 6 Orange Bibs

Alleyne went in goal for the Dark Tops.

Elvis welcomed him wih a route one shot down the middle to pull the Orange Bibs further ahead.

Dark Tops 3 - 7 Orange Bibs

Andyhibbert's predatory pressing finally paid off when he was on hand to benefit from a loose ball out from the Orange Bibs' keeper to score.

Dark Tops 4 - 7 Orange Bibs

On 35 minutes a seemingly innocuous encounter with VIIGeorgeVII saw Hagenius limp off of the pitch injured. Then we saw one of the most amazing things in the modern game as the injured Hagenius was substituted for the already injured but apparently slightly less injured MarkA. VIIGeorgeVII looked on, a picture of innocence as he went and removed his outer top ready for the final 10 minutes.

MarkA went in goal for the Orange Bibs meaning Niyi had to brave the wilds of being on pitch.

Rilonlewis went in goal for the Dark Tops. Game on.

Stern pressing from the Dark Tops resulted in VIIGeorgeVII bagging himself a goal.

Dark Tops 5 - 7 Orange Bibs

In the build up to the goal an innocuous encounter with VIIGeorgeVII left Elvis on the ground injured. VIIGeorgeVII looked a picture of innocence and the goal stood.

With Hagenius reduced to coaching from the sidelines the Orange Bibs were somewhat rudderless. The Dark Tops scented blood..

With the next team at the gate VIIGeorgeVII bagged his brace to bring the Dark Tops within a goal of the Orange Bibs.

Dark Tops 6 - 7 Orange Bibs

AndyHibbert went in goal for the Dark Tops, thereby releasing Rilonlewis back on pitch. The Dark Tops were mixing up their formation something wicked and throwing the kitchen sink, microwave and air fryer at the Orange Bibs. All the Orange Bibs had to fall back on was the art of time management that the coach had taught in previous weeks. The Orange Bibs were still ahead. They did not need to press for a win. It was their game to lose. The lesser injured MarkA swapped with Niyi and came on pitch. Niyi refused to give MarkA his bib and sent him to get Hagenius's. The game stopped briefly.for MarkA. Every second counted at this stage.

Andyhibbert plaintively asked if there would be five minutes added on due to the late start that we had. Unfortunately, in asking Hagenius and the next team, he was asking the wrong mans.

The Orange Bibs held on until the next team came on the pitch.

Final Score

Dark Tops 6 - 7 Orange Bibs

Match awarded to the Orange Bibs.

Match ball awarded to JakeFlowers for his hat-trick.

Let's do it all again next match at Tottenham Wednesday FC.