Friday, 20 December 2013
Out scored
Delayed report from Dec-11
A.C Panache lost 3-6 to Inglorious Badstubers in a strange game, where they dominated every aspect for long stretches, except the score board.
The half-time score was 1-1, but a 2nd half that was just odd meant that A.C Panache created a ridiculous amount of chances, only to be caught on the break.
Scorers - Maxim, Brian Butler, Mick Brennan
A.C Panache lost 3-6 to Inglorious Badstubers in a strange game, where they dominated every aspect for long stretches, except the score board.
The half-time score was 1-1, but a 2nd half that was just odd meant that A.C Panache created a ridiculous amount of chances, only to be caught on the break.
Scorers - Maxim, Brian Butler, Mick Brennan
Thursday, 5 December 2013
The ABC Conjecture
A.C Panache have begun to delve into the field of pure mathematics lately, testing the ABC conjecture and putting some physical logic behind the paradox.
You see the ABC conjecture makes an observation about a fundamental relationship between addition and multiplication, and, up until now, mathematics has not proved that the additive properties of numbers would somehow influence or affect their multiplicative properties.
A.C Panache though are a real world example of the additive properties not multiplying to create a prime team! Having slumped to a 4-9 defeat last night to MISH MASH in a game that they dominated in large parts, and played well throughout, it can be deduced that the individual addition of effort towards the team cause has not multiplied in the fashion expected by all known logic.
Starting with the Beckenbauer of the league, Eamonn Kennedy, at the back, and the Speedy Gonzalez of the league, James Slowey, up front, A.C Panache had a good structure that Jamie O'Driscoll and Tony Conroy used to create chances from the middle of the park. The early exchanges were hard fought and there was no immediate advantage to either side.
James Slowey and Csaba Bujna went close on a number of occassions but the packed defence of MISH MASH kept getting a foot or face in the way of every shot. The scoring was opened after 10 minutes by MISH MASH as they scrambled the ball home after a bit of a mess close to the A.C Panache goals. Then suddenly the goals started coming quickly and MISH MASH got a second, then James Slowey was put through the middle by Eamonn Kennedy and he finished nicely with the outside right. Then another great passing move saw A.C Panache ping the ball around for 20 passes or so before Brian Gunning unleashed a superb shot into the bottom right.
2-2 and A.C Panache we looking the more energetic and comfortable but the goals kept coming more easily for MISH MASH and the half time score was 3-4.
The second half was where the addition and multiplication went all wrong. Dominating play and getting forward at every opportunity A.C Panache suddenly started getting stung by counter attacks and some poor fortune. Tony Conroy made a great tackle to cut out a counter attack, but the ball broke across the square straight to a free MISH MASH player at the back post. Moments later another counter attack was cut out by Eamonn Kennedy and the ball went under the legs of Brian Butler to the same guy, standing at the back post, smoking a fag. swishing daisys and he just tapped it home. Both goals would be the dream of any boys in an U12s game, the sheer poor luck that befell A.C Panache added to their troubles.
Suddenly 3-6 down they had to chase the game, and poured forward in a brave attempt to overcome the deficit. MISH MASH responded by falling deeper into their own half and using the counter attack that was proving to be so effective. 15 minutes of hard work saw A.C Panache dominate every aspect of the game but only had one goal to show for it. In this period Jamie O'Driscoll, Tony Conroy, Brian Butler all went very close and it was Csaba Bujna who scored from a James Slowey pass.
The last 8 minutes of the game saw MISH MASH get two goals that came as a result of A.C Panache just running out of gas.
Some days a 4-9 scoreline is a fair reflection of a game, other days simply saying a + b = c is just not right.
Final Score 4-9
Scorers James Slowey {2}, Csaba Bujna, Brian Gunning.
You see the ABC conjecture makes an observation about a fundamental relationship between addition and multiplication, and, up until now, mathematics has not proved that the additive properties of numbers would somehow influence or affect their multiplicative properties.
A.C Panache though are a real world example of the additive properties not multiplying to create a prime team! Having slumped to a 4-9 defeat last night to MISH MASH in a game that they dominated in large parts, and played well throughout, it can be deduced that the individual addition of effort towards the team cause has not multiplied in the fashion expected by all known logic.
Starting with the Beckenbauer of the league, Eamonn Kennedy, at the back, and the Speedy Gonzalez of the league, James Slowey, up front, A.C Panache had a good structure that Jamie O'Driscoll and Tony Conroy used to create chances from the middle of the park. The early exchanges were hard fought and there was no immediate advantage to either side.
James Slowey and Csaba Bujna went close on a number of occassions but the packed defence of MISH MASH kept getting a foot or face in the way of every shot. The scoring was opened after 10 minutes by MISH MASH as they scrambled the ball home after a bit of a mess close to the A.C Panache goals. Then suddenly the goals started coming quickly and MISH MASH got a second, then James Slowey was put through the middle by Eamonn Kennedy and he finished nicely with the outside right. Then another great passing move saw A.C Panache ping the ball around for 20 passes or so before Brian Gunning unleashed a superb shot into the bottom right.
2-2 and A.C Panache we looking the more energetic and comfortable but the goals kept coming more easily for MISH MASH and the half time score was 3-4.
The second half was where the addition and multiplication went all wrong. Dominating play and getting forward at every opportunity A.C Panache suddenly started getting stung by counter attacks and some poor fortune. Tony Conroy made a great tackle to cut out a counter attack, but the ball broke across the square straight to a free MISH MASH player at the back post. Moments later another counter attack was cut out by Eamonn Kennedy and the ball went under the legs of Brian Butler to the same guy, standing at the back post, smoking a fag. swishing daisys and he just tapped it home. Both goals would be the dream of any boys in an U12s game, the sheer poor luck that befell A.C Panache added to their troubles.
Suddenly 3-6 down they had to chase the game, and poured forward in a brave attempt to overcome the deficit. MISH MASH responded by falling deeper into their own half and using the counter attack that was proving to be so effective. 15 minutes of hard work saw A.C Panache dominate every aspect of the game but only had one goal to show for it. In this period Jamie O'Driscoll, Tony Conroy, Brian Butler all went very close and it was Csaba Bujna who scored from a James Slowey pass.
The last 8 minutes of the game saw MISH MASH get two goals that came as a result of A.C Panache just running out of gas.
Some days a 4-9 scoreline is a fair reflection of a game, other days simply saying a + b = c is just not right.
Final Score 4-9
Scorers James Slowey {2}, Csaba Bujna, Brian Gunning.
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
We're on the road again!
A.C Panache romped to a 12-7 victory over Every Hole Stuffed F.C tonight in a game that puts them back in with a chance of some Christmas Bowl glory!
Once again a flood of texts arrived into A.C Panache HQ hours before the game that made it appear like a tsunami had washed away the majority of players. But just like two weeks ago, the special privilege of wearing the sky blue and baby pink slim fitted jerseys acted as a lure to attract the very best latent talent that bubbles effervescently in the A.C Panache fan base. Within an hour the full compliment of players was reached and with those chosen to play came a rushing surge of confidence that infused moral with a will to win just before kick off which gave A.C Panache a turbo boost coming out of traps.
Starting brightly and really pushing a high tempo A.C Panache tore into the game and dominated proceedings early doors. James Slowey was playing like a sober Maradona and danced and jigged his way through the defence a few times. Tony Conroy and Dominic Fiegle were combining smoothly in midfield, making crisp passes, timely tackles and generally setting up a shield in front of the ever dependable and heavily moustachioed Eamonn Kennedy in defence.
Despite blasting into the game A.C Panache didn't break the deadlock for the first 7 or 8 minutes and then like a bolt out of the blue Every Hole Stuffed suddenly struck for two goals. The first came from a long clearance that fell nicely to the on rushing striker and his shot squeezed past the outstretched arm of Aaron Buckley in goals. Then moments later another rushed clearance fell between Eamonn and Dominic and just a splint second hesitation allowed the alert striker swoop through again and he finished nicely.
Even though going two goals down at this point coming against the run of play, A.C Panache did not worry because they were confident in their quick passing rhythm and delightful interplay. Before long it started to pay dividends with James Slowey once again proving to be the sharpest sword in the arsenal as he kept creating chances for himself and others through a combination of tidy feet, good balance and hard running.
He opened the scoring for A.C Panache and went on a tear for the next 10 minutes scoring 3 goals. The silkiest of which saw him control a long ball in the left corner, cut past the last defender and sending the keeper the wrong way, swept it neatly into an invitingly abandoned net.
The James Slowey show was punctuated with a goal from Mate Skoda who came onto a loose ball in midfield and simply smashed it past the keeper with amazing power. Julian Sardi was now on the pitch as well holding the fort with Eamonn Kennedy at the back and he acted as a base upon which Mate and Tony continued to pile forward and create chance for themselves or James Slowey.
With 5 minutes left in the half though, Every Hole Stuffed struck again. This brought the game back to 5-5 with some nice goals and it really tested A.C Panache belief in their game plan. But as the half-time whistle was approaching A.C Panache worked one of the goals of the game. The team played some great tiki-taki football and everyone took at least two touches as the ball swept from pass to glorious pass. The final 5 passes of this outrageuos goal saw Julian Sardi surge through the middle and caress the ball to Mate Skoda and he immediately squared it to Eamonn Kennedy on the left wing who sent James Slowey free, and turning like a model on a Parisienne catwalk he switched play to Dominic Fiegle arriving on the right wing who stroked it calmly passed the floundering keeper.
With the half-time score 6-5, A.C Panache enjoyed talking on some refreshments and were ready to go long before the strung out and heavily panting Every Hole Stuffed.
The high pace suddenly started to tell and after 10 minutes of the 2nd half A.C Panache had begun to pull away.
Tony Conroy finishing superbly from a James Slowey corner to volley it past the keeper and almost take the roof off the net. James Slowey, Julian Sardi and Mate Skoda combined to create a number of chance. One of which Julian calmly slotted into the bottom left after they had prized open the defence.
The best goal of the 2nd half once again saw Dominic involved as he picked up the ball under pressure in his own defence. Feigning inside and then cutting outside like a hare he left the pressing attacker tackling fresh air and he the slalomed through the gap between the midfielders, but just as the last defender closed in he played a deft one two with Mate that put him bearing down on the keeper who threw himself at Dominic in a kamikaze dive, but just at the right moment Dominic switched play left and Mate strolled onto the ball blasting it into an empty net from 3 yards out.
A.C Panache's high tempo and tidy interplay continued and they eventually ran out 12-7 winners on a night when they look to have gotten their run for the Christmas Bowl title back on track.
Next week the Christmas League Leaders Mish Mash will provide a sterner test, but for now A.C Panache seem to moving in the right direction.
Scorers James Slowey (5), Tony Conroy (2), Mate Skoda (2), Julian Sardi, Dominic Neckar, Brian Butler
Once again a flood of texts arrived into A.C Panache HQ hours before the game that made it appear like a tsunami had washed away the majority of players. But just like two weeks ago, the special privilege of wearing the sky blue and baby pink slim fitted jerseys acted as a lure to attract the very best latent talent that bubbles effervescently in the A.C Panache fan base. Within an hour the full compliment of players was reached and with those chosen to play came a rushing surge of confidence that infused moral with a will to win just before kick off which gave A.C Panache a turbo boost coming out of traps.
Starting brightly and really pushing a high tempo A.C Panache tore into the game and dominated proceedings early doors. James Slowey was playing like a sober Maradona and danced and jigged his way through the defence a few times. Tony Conroy and Dominic Fiegle were combining smoothly in midfield, making crisp passes, timely tackles and generally setting up a shield in front of the ever dependable and heavily moustachioed Eamonn Kennedy in defence.
Despite blasting into the game A.C Panache didn't break the deadlock for the first 7 or 8 minutes and then like a bolt out of the blue Every Hole Stuffed suddenly struck for two goals. The first came from a long clearance that fell nicely to the on rushing striker and his shot squeezed past the outstretched arm of Aaron Buckley in goals. Then moments later another rushed clearance fell between Eamonn and Dominic and just a splint second hesitation allowed the alert striker swoop through again and he finished nicely.
Even though going two goals down at this point coming against the run of play, A.C Panache did not worry because they were confident in their quick passing rhythm and delightful interplay. Before long it started to pay dividends with James Slowey once again proving to be the sharpest sword in the arsenal as he kept creating chances for himself and others through a combination of tidy feet, good balance and hard running.
He opened the scoring for A.C Panache and went on a tear for the next 10 minutes scoring 3 goals. The silkiest of which saw him control a long ball in the left corner, cut past the last defender and sending the keeper the wrong way, swept it neatly into an invitingly abandoned net.
The James Slowey show was punctuated with a goal from Mate Skoda who came onto a loose ball in midfield and simply smashed it past the keeper with amazing power. Julian Sardi was now on the pitch as well holding the fort with Eamonn Kennedy at the back and he acted as a base upon which Mate and Tony continued to pile forward and create chance for themselves or James Slowey.
With 5 minutes left in the half though, Every Hole Stuffed struck again. This brought the game back to 5-5 with some nice goals and it really tested A.C Panache belief in their game plan. But as the half-time whistle was approaching A.C Panache worked one of the goals of the game. The team played some great tiki-taki football and everyone took at least two touches as the ball swept from pass to glorious pass. The final 5 passes of this outrageuos goal saw Julian Sardi surge through the middle and caress the ball to Mate Skoda and he immediately squared it to Eamonn Kennedy on the left wing who sent James Slowey free, and turning like a model on a Parisienne catwalk he switched play to Dominic Fiegle arriving on the right wing who stroked it calmly passed the floundering keeper.
With the half-time score 6-5, A.C Panache enjoyed talking on some refreshments and were ready to go long before the strung out and heavily panting Every Hole Stuffed.
The high pace suddenly started to tell and after 10 minutes of the 2nd half A.C Panache had begun to pull away.
Tony Conroy finishing superbly from a James Slowey corner to volley it past the keeper and almost take the roof off the net. James Slowey, Julian Sardi and Mate Skoda combined to create a number of chance. One of which Julian calmly slotted into the bottom left after they had prized open the defence.
The best goal of the 2nd half once again saw Dominic involved as he picked up the ball under pressure in his own defence. Feigning inside and then cutting outside like a hare he left the pressing attacker tackling fresh air and he the slalomed through the gap between the midfielders, but just as the last defender closed in he played a deft one two with Mate that put him bearing down on the keeper who threw himself at Dominic in a kamikaze dive, but just at the right moment Dominic switched play left and Mate strolled onto the ball blasting it into an empty net from 3 yards out.
A.C Panache's high tempo and tidy interplay continued and they eventually ran out 12-7 winners on a night when they look to have gotten their run for the Christmas Bowl title back on track.
Next week the Christmas League Leaders Mish Mash will provide a sterner test, but for now A.C Panache seem to moving in the right direction.
Scorers James Slowey (5), Tony Conroy (2), Mate Skoda (2), Julian Sardi, Dominic Neckar, Brian Butler
Rude Awakening
A.C Panache started the first game of the post season with an insipid 2-4 loss to The Temple Inn.
Both teams were coming into the league as cream of the crop challengers but only The Temple Inn played with the positivity associated with winners.
Controlling the game, being more aggressive in winning back the ball, bolder in attack and playing more like a team than a bunch of sewn together fashionista fabrics, The Temple Inn spent the first 20 minutes dominating play, shots, possession, tackles, public opinion, the stock market, the weather, they basically dominated like The Undertaker dominates Wrestle Mania!
Despite this, A.C Panache held them scoreless through packing their own half and basically kicking lumps in a Vinny Jones meets Mrs. Brown kind of way. After 20 minutes the scoring finally opened through a shot that deflected off Brian Butler's granny like tackle and his half block drove the ball into the ground only 5 yards in front of Aaron Buckley in goals, where it bounced up over his hands which were down to block the original shot!
From kick-off A.C Panache once again lacked crispness in their passing and the game fell into the usual pattern of all out attack vs panic defending. Then out of the blue, with a touch of brilliance, James Slowey picked up the ball, dribbled past the first up tackle and rifled it into the net from midfield. He demonstrated physically what must have been going on mentally, something like "screw this bollix acting, I'm just kicking it into the goals, isn't that all we have to do!"
Half-time 1-1, and A.C Panache having gotten away with an atrocious first half promised to play much better in the second half. But promises easily made are easily broken, and they didn't play well. In fact they got worse. So much worse that The Temple Inn would have found it harder playing against the Douglas U12s girls netball team!
Apart from Aaron Buckley in goals who really did play well and in fairness would probably make the U12s netball team if he wasn't overage and the wrong gender stopped about 7 million shots. Unfortunately no one else stood up and took control of the situation for A.C Panache and yet with 10 minutes to go it was only 1-3 when James Slowey struck again with a goal that was more or less ping-ponged into the net and no one could possibly know who scored it but he was the only one near it so he gets it by default, leaving just one goal between the teams!
Despite only needing just one tiny, small, little goal in the final 10 minutes to get something out of the game, and being incredibly lucky to be so close after playing so woefully badly A.C Panache still didn't pull the finger out and even combined to concede another sloppy goal with a few minutes left. Just to make sure they didn't play well at any point of the game!
Had this been a horse race, the glue factory would be getting most of the A.C Panache players for raw material.
Final Score 2-4
Scorer: James Slowey (2), OK so maybe he wouldn't get glued, but everyone else should have been!
Both teams were coming into the league as cream of the crop challengers but only The Temple Inn played with the positivity associated with winners.
Controlling the game, being more aggressive in winning back the ball, bolder in attack and playing more like a team than a bunch of sewn together fashionista fabrics, The Temple Inn spent the first 20 minutes dominating play, shots, possession, tackles, public opinion, the stock market, the weather, they basically dominated like The Undertaker dominates Wrestle Mania!
Despite this, A.C Panache held them scoreless through packing their own half and basically kicking lumps in a Vinny Jones meets Mrs. Brown kind of way. After 20 minutes the scoring finally opened through a shot that deflected off Brian Butler's granny like tackle and his half block drove the ball into the ground only 5 yards in front of Aaron Buckley in goals, where it bounced up over his hands which were down to block the original shot!
From kick-off A.C Panache once again lacked crispness in their passing and the game fell into the usual pattern of all out attack vs panic defending. Then out of the blue, with a touch of brilliance, James Slowey picked up the ball, dribbled past the first up tackle and rifled it into the net from midfield. He demonstrated physically what must have been going on mentally, something like "screw this bollix acting, I'm just kicking it into the goals, isn't that all we have to do!"
Half-time 1-1, and A.C Panache having gotten away with an atrocious first half promised to play much better in the second half. But promises easily made are easily broken, and they didn't play well. In fact they got worse. So much worse that The Temple Inn would have found it harder playing against the Douglas U12s girls netball team!
Apart from Aaron Buckley in goals who really did play well and in fairness would probably make the U12s netball team if he wasn't overage and the wrong gender stopped about 7 million shots. Unfortunately no one else stood up and took control of the situation for A.C Panache and yet with 10 minutes to go it was only 1-3 when James Slowey struck again with a goal that was more or less ping-ponged into the net and no one could possibly know who scored it but he was the only one near it so he gets it by default, leaving just one goal between the teams!
Despite only needing just one tiny, small, little goal in the final 10 minutes to get something out of the game, and being incredibly lucky to be so close after playing so woefully badly A.C Panache still didn't pull the finger out and even combined to concede another sloppy goal with a few minutes left. Just to make sure they didn't play well at any point of the game!
Had this been a horse race, the glue factory would be getting most of the A.C Panache players for raw material.
Final Score 2-4
Scorer: James Slowey (2), OK so maybe he wouldn't get glued, but everyone else should have been!
Monday, 18 November 2013
Christmas Bowl Fixtures
A.C Panache finished 2nd in their regular season divisional conference and enter the post season competing in the league of leaders. They will now face the very best teams that other conferences throughout the league have to offer in an epic showdown to win the much coveted Christmas Bowl title!
Christmas Bowl fixtures
**Christmas Fixtures Source
Christmas Bowl fixtures
| Date | Time | Opposition | Result | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 20 | 20:00 | The Temple Inn | 0-0 | N/A |
| Nov 27 | 21:00 | Every Hole Stuffed FC | 0-0 | N/A |
| Dec 04 | 21:00 | MISH MASH | 0-0 | N/A |
| Dec 11 | 21:00 | Inglorious Bastards | 0-0 | N/A |
| Dec 18 | 19:00 | The More Natural Disasters | 0-0 | N/A |
Thursday, 14 November 2013
Shock and Awe
Game week 10, the final leg of the league format saw all of the teams try to finish in the best possible position for the cup competition to follow, and this week saw A.C Panache go toe-to-toe with the undefeated league leaders and unassailable champions The More Natural Disasters, who had previously dispatched A.C Panache with a clinical 3-10 defeat.
Revenge was far from the mindset as a wet a dismal day seemed to swallow players by the minute. Jim pulled out, Aaron pulled out, and Jamie didn't pull out as he injured his back trying some Karma Sutra positions at home.
With only 4 players available at 4pm, just three hours before kick-off, a call to arms was issued and before long it was easy to see what wearing the stylish sky blue and baby pink slim fit jerseys with a tapered neck line and double stitched hem means to those involved with this fashionably avant-garde outfit.
James Slowey rallied to the call, followed by Tony "I hate goals" Conroy, Brian Gunning bravely dropped his post holiday cuddles and snuggles with a glass of wine on the couch plan to lend weight to the cause, and two surprising bosman signings were made. Alessando el Italiano and Mate d'Croatia.
What seemed like a dark, dismal and lonely task at 4pm was a blazing flame of team unity lighting up the skies of Cork by 7PM. The game began after A.C Panache had made a pact to play hard, pass well, run until they gasped for air, and rotated the keeper to Tony's satisfaction.
The immediate result of this though was to go 0-1 down from the kick off, a speculative shot from the kick-off hit Brian Butler's outstretched leg and went into the bottom left corner past Brian Gunning in goals who was zipping up his top. This quick slap to the face merely perked A.C Panache's lust for vengeance and they tore into the league leaders as Lions to Gazelles!
The More Natural Disasters tried to play their own game up against a solid wall of A.C Panache pressure. Despite making some inroads, they were unable to make any clean breakthrough and A.C Panache broke quickly to test their keeper on a number of occasions. After 8 minutes of intense battling A.C Panache gained the upper hand and began to string passes together and put their stamp on the game.
Tony was linking play superbly in the centre of the park as Alessando and Csaba broke left and right to stretch play, while Eamonn once again acted as the last line of defence. It did not take long for the game plan to take effect and as The More Natural Disasters were pushed back on their own keeper their defending became more desperate but it could not halt the inevitable.
The opening goal came from a break down the left wing as Mate d'Croatia was sent free after James Slowey and Tony "The Artist" Conroy bamboozled the defenders, and as Mate bore down on goal he unleashed a ferociously struck shot into the top right corner. The power taking all aback and galvanizing A.C Panache's belief that they were superior this night!
The first half became a demonstration of all that A.C Panache could be, as time and again the pace and quality being set left The More Natural Disasters unable to contain them.
James Slowey had a number of chances, and his early luck seemed to have deserted him as a few last ditch tackles kept him scoreless despite running rings around the defence and linking well with his compadres Tony, Csaba and Alessandro.
But up stepped Tony with his usual early flourish and he made it 2-1 after some great play through the centre. The pace quickened even further as Brian Butler and Brian Gunning swapped in goals and Csaba stepped back on after a break swapping with Eamonn.
The fresh legs of Csaba and Brian Gunning strangled The More Natural Disasters for 15 minutes and Brian Butler didn't even need to make a save during his 12 minutes in goals.
James then found the net getting just rewards for great efforts as he linked well with Brian Gunning and Alessandro to open his account, which has some more deposits still to follow. Alessandro also got in on the act, his tidy interplay and cool head bringing in those around him and it left him was a simple finish to put A.C Panache 4-1 ahead with 5 minutes left in the half.
The half time whistle came and with A.C Panache playing so positively and feeling good the half time was a happy affair as they took on some water and made some minor adjustments.
The 2nd half started much like the first as James Slowey terrorised the defence while Csaba, Tony and Brian Gunning swarmed forward in support of his excellent work. 15 minutes into the 2nd half and A.C Panache had opened up a 9-1 lead. James Slowey was on fire during this period scoring two and setting up another.
By keeping the ball, pressing hard and maintaining cool heads they wore the More Natural Disasters down but this ended up causing some laxity in play and even though the were under the kosh, the league leaders are not that for no reason.
As soon as the laxity reared it's ugly head they pounced to score three goals in 8 minutes to make it 9-4 with 7 minutes left to play. This forced A.C Panache to cop on somewhat and up the pace and concentration.
The last few minutes saw their will to dominate the game completely resurface and two more goals followed and a number of chances were also squandered as it once again became one way traffic.
The final whistle sounded and it was clear from the drawn and traumatised look on the faces of the defeated opponents that the ferocity and pace they had been subjected to left them shocked and in awe of the terrible beauty that has been awakened.
Dealing the league leaders their first, and thoroughly comprehensive defeat of the season, A.C Panache swept to 2nd in the league last night and now march forward confidently to the championship in the knowledge that after a poor start to the season they have begun to gel as a team and came down the home straight of the league stronger than anyone else.
The story shall continue next week when the all or nothing games begin!
Full-time 11-4
Scorers; Mate (3), James (3), Alessandro (2), Tony, Csaba, Brian Butler
Revenge was far from the mindset as a wet a dismal day seemed to swallow players by the minute. Jim pulled out, Aaron pulled out, and Jamie didn't pull out as he injured his back trying some Karma Sutra positions at home.
With only 4 players available at 4pm, just three hours before kick-off, a call to arms was issued and before long it was easy to see what wearing the stylish sky blue and baby pink slim fit jerseys with a tapered neck line and double stitched hem means to those involved with this fashionably avant-garde outfit.
James Slowey rallied to the call, followed by Tony "I hate goals" Conroy, Brian Gunning bravely dropped his post holiday cuddles and snuggles with a glass of wine on the couch plan to lend weight to the cause, and two surprising bosman signings were made. Alessando el Italiano and Mate d'Croatia.
What seemed like a dark, dismal and lonely task at 4pm was a blazing flame of team unity lighting up the skies of Cork by 7PM. The game began after A.C Panache had made a pact to play hard, pass well, run until they gasped for air, and rotated the keeper to Tony's satisfaction.
The immediate result of this though was to go 0-1 down from the kick off, a speculative shot from the kick-off hit Brian Butler's outstretched leg and went into the bottom left corner past Brian Gunning in goals who was zipping up his top. This quick slap to the face merely perked A.C Panache's lust for vengeance and they tore into the league leaders as Lions to Gazelles!
The More Natural Disasters tried to play their own game up against a solid wall of A.C Panache pressure. Despite making some inroads, they were unable to make any clean breakthrough and A.C Panache broke quickly to test their keeper on a number of occasions. After 8 minutes of intense battling A.C Panache gained the upper hand and began to string passes together and put their stamp on the game.
Tony was linking play superbly in the centre of the park as Alessando and Csaba broke left and right to stretch play, while Eamonn once again acted as the last line of defence. It did not take long for the game plan to take effect and as The More Natural Disasters were pushed back on their own keeper their defending became more desperate but it could not halt the inevitable.
The opening goal came from a break down the left wing as Mate d'Croatia was sent free after James Slowey and Tony "The Artist" Conroy bamboozled the defenders, and as Mate bore down on goal he unleashed a ferociously struck shot into the top right corner. The power taking all aback and galvanizing A.C Panache's belief that they were superior this night!
The first half became a demonstration of all that A.C Panache could be, as time and again the pace and quality being set left The More Natural Disasters unable to contain them.
James Slowey had a number of chances, and his early luck seemed to have deserted him as a few last ditch tackles kept him scoreless despite running rings around the defence and linking well with his compadres Tony, Csaba and Alessandro.
But up stepped Tony with his usual early flourish and he made it 2-1 after some great play through the centre. The pace quickened even further as Brian Butler and Brian Gunning swapped in goals and Csaba stepped back on after a break swapping with Eamonn.
The fresh legs of Csaba and Brian Gunning strangled The More Natural Disasters for 15 minutes and Brian Butler didn't even need to make a save during his 12 minutes in goals.
James then found the net getting just rewards for great efforts as he linked well with Brian Gunning and Alessandro to open his account, which has some more deposits still to follow. Alessandro also got in on the act, his tidy interplay and cool head bringing in those around him and it left him was a simple finish to put A.C Panache 4-1 ahead with 5 minutes left in the half.
The half time whistle came and with A.C Panache playing so positively and feeling good the half time was a happy affair as they took on some water and made some minor adjustments.
The 2nd half started much like the first as James Slowey terrorised the defence while Csaba, Tony and Brian Gunning swarmed forward in support of his excellent work. 15 minutes into the 2nd half and A.C Panache had opened up a 9-1 lead. James Slowey was on fire during this period scoring two and setting up another.
By keeping the ball, pressing hard and maintaining cool heads they wore the More Natural Disasters down but this ended up causing some laxity in play and even though the were under the kosh, the league leaders are not that for no reason.
As soon as the laxity reared it's ugly head they pounced to score three goals in 8 minutes to make it 9-4 with 7 minutes left to play. This forced A.C Panache to cop on somewhat and up the pace and concentration.
The last few minutes saw their will to dominate the game completely resurface and two more goals followed and a number of chances were also squandered as it once again became one way traffic.
The final whistle sounded and it was clear from the drawn and traumatised look on the faces of the defeated opponents that the ferocity and pace they had been subjected to left them shocked and in awe of the terrible beauty that has been awakened.
Dealing the league leaders their first, and thoroughly comprehensive defeat of the season, A.C Panache swept to 2nd in the league last night and now march forward confidently to the championship in the knowledge that after a poor start to the season they have begun to gel as a team and came down the home straight of the league stronger than anyone else.
The story shall continue next week when the all or nothing games begin!
Full-time 11-4
Scorers; Mate (3), James (3), Alessandro (2), Tony, Csaba, Brian Butler
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