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
Demolition Derby
Game week 9 saw A.C Panache play against the foot of the table team, Watergrasshill United.
Half-time 19-2
Final Score 40-3
This game does not warrant a report. It was like shooting fish in a barrel!
Scorers [Approximates]
Tony [9], James [9], Julian [8], Jamie [7], Csaba [6], Brian Butler.
Half-time 19-2
Final Score 40-3
This game does not warrant a report. It was like shooting fish in a barrel!
Scorers [Approximates]
Tony [9], James [9], Julian [8], Jamie [7], Csaba [6], Brian Butler.
Epic saga and fatal twist
Olympique need someone ta Lyon were league leaders as game week 8 rolled around, and after coming off a disappointing 5-7 defeat the previous week A.C Panache were faced with the challenge of turning their season around or meekly limping into the obscurity that the vast wilderness of lower league positions offers.
The game started at a brisk pace, with A.C Panache determined to stick to their passing game plan, wrestle back their seasons destiny and step back from the edge of the abyss, but not long had the battle commenced before they suffered their first wounds.
Mick 'Spiderman" Brennan undertook the onerous task of playing in goals and was immediately rewarded with some porous defending that demanded more work than he may have anticipated, even allowing for some of the usual kamikaze defending displayed by A.C Panache.
Olympique Lyon took a commanding 0-2 lead as they played crisply and opened up A.C Panache. Both goals coming from pass and go movements as A.C Panache struggled to play as a unit. The early midfield engagements were ferocious and Jamie O'Driscoll and Tony Conroy, possibly an artistic footballing cousin of the painter Don, were making powerful challenges that helped turn the tide.
They were immediately rewarded as Csaba and Jamie combined to set up Tony for his customary opening goal for A.C Panache, which acted like a starters flag at a grand prix and signaled A.C Panache to rev up the engines.
The uptick in pace rocked Olympique Lyon and A.C Panache swarmed all over them winning possession in great positions. Tony won a great ball down the left wing and cut it inside to Jamie whose shot hit the keepers legs. This may have seemed unfortunate, but more will follow on this sub-plot.
Despite dominating play A.C Panache were hit with a quick counter attack goal to leave the score 1-3 with 8 minutes left in the half, but they responded well to the setback and continued to surge forward. Eamonn Kennedy set Brian Butler free down the right wing who cut the ball square as Jamie made a great run through the middle but kicked it straight off he keeper.
Moments later pressure by Brian, Jamie and Csaba forced an Olympique defender to square a ball across his own box and set Jamie up on the penalty spot all alone. He finished nicely into the bottom right corner, just where the goalie was standing.
A hectic last 5 minutes followed with A.C Panache scoring a goal through Brian Butler and Olympique Lyon grabbing one right before half-time to leave it 2-4 at the break.
After a good natured half time with Jamie "Kick the ball at the keeper" O'Driscoll blaming the wind, gravity, a witches curse on the bottom goals, a soft ball, open laces, a wet surface, a passing dog and his lunch, he finally resolved to try and not hit the keeper in the 2nd half.
A.C Panache flew out of traps in the 2nd half and completely dominated play while Mick "Spiderman" Brennan was playing superb as a sweeper keeper and not only thwarting chances but setting up attacking options as well with his right hand man Eamonn Kennedy marshaling defence, while Jamie finally struck!
His half time trash talk needed backing up and he made a great run through the middle, playing a neat one two with Csaba before rifling into the net. Moments later Mick sent a long ball to Brian Butler who only had to control it and finish into the net.
Suddenly the scoreline was 4-4 and A.C Panache were sucking diesel. Eamonn Kennedy who really admires a good diesel sucker, sent Tony free down the right wing and after some tidy control and dancing feet he left Csaba with a simple tap-in after putting the keeper on his arse.
And then there was Jamie 2.0 surging again through the middle after his able housemate Tom had cut out a pass and set him up. Once again he finished with aplomb and the ball nestled in the bottom corner. The witches curse was lifted, the laces tied, the lunch settled, the man on fire!
The score line was now 6-4 with 15 minutes remaining, but the efforts had taken their toll on A.C Panache and Olympique Lyon were overdue their purple patch, and it was during this phase that Mick Brennan played as if he had 8 arms, making some great saves and holding the walls against the stinging attacks of Olympique Lyon. But eventually even his heroic efforts could not stem the tide completely and Olympique pulled back a goal to make it 6-5, with all of 8 minutes left.
The pace and pressure of the game was now at its pinnacle as both teams fought hard for everything, and with 5 minutes left Olympique struck again with another goal coming from fractured play. Despite this A.C Panache rallied and stuck their noses ahead again with 3 minutes remaining after Mick Brennan set Brian Butler free again.
A nail biting last few minutes ensued, as A.C Panache hit the post and defended like tigers. Eamonn Kennedy making a number of crucial blocks with those long hair legs, Tony, Jamie and Csaba pressured every pass and Brian Butler chased every long ball to try and break out, but with just seconds remaining an Olympique Lyon shot took an unfortunate deflection and it took it past Mick Brennan in the corner.
Final score 7-7 as the referee blew up the game after tip off.
Scorers Brian Butler (3), Jamie (2), Tony, Csaba
The game started at a brisk pace, with A.C Panache determined to stick to their passing game plan, wrestle back their seasons destiny and step back from the edge of the abyss, but not long had the battle commenced before they suffered their first wounds.
Mick 'Spiderman" Brennan undertook the onerous task of playing in goals and was immediately rewarded with some porous defending that demanded more work than he may have anticipated, even allowing for some of the usual kamikaze defending displayed by A.C Panache.
Olympique Lyon took a commanding 0-2 lead as they played crisply and opened up A.C Panache. Both goals coming from pass and go movements as A.C Panache struggled to play as a unit. The early midfield engagements were ferocious and Jamie O'Driscoll and Tony Conroy, possibly an artistic footballing cousin of the painter Don, were making powerful challenges that helped turn the tide.
They were immediately rewarded as Csaba and Jamie combined to set up Tony for his customary opening goal for A.C Panache, which acted like a starters flag at a grand prix and signaled A.C Panache to rev up the engines.
The uptick in pace rocked Olympique Lyon and A.C Panache swarmed all over them winning possession in great positions. Tony won a great ball down the left wing and cut it inside to Jamie whose shot hit the keepers legs. This may have seemed unfortunate, but more will follow on this sub-plot.
Despite dominating play A.C Panache were hit with a quick counter attack goal to leave the score 1-3 with 8 minutes left in the half, but they responded well to the setback and continued to surge forward. Eamonn Kennedy set Brian Butler free down the right wing who cut the ball square as Jamie made a great run through the middle but kicked it straight off he keeper.
Moments later pressure by Brian, Jamie and Csaba forced an Olympique defender to square a ball across his own box and set Jamie up on the penalty spot all alone. He finished nicely into the bottom right corner, just where the goalie was standing.
A hectic last 5 minutes followed with A.C Panache scoring a goal through Brian Butler and Olympique Lyon grabbing one right before half-time to leave it 2-4 at the break.
After a good natured half time with Jamie "Kick the ball at the keeper" O'Driscoll blaming the wind, gravity, a witches curse on the bottom goals, a soft ball, open laces, a wet surface, a passing dog and his lunch, he finally resolved to try and not hit the keeper in the 2nd half.
A.C Panache flew out of traps in the 2nd half and completely dominated play while Mick "Spiderman" Brennan was playing superb as a sweeper keeper and not only thwarting chances but setting up attacking options as well with his right hand man Eamonn Kennedy marshaling defence, while Jamie finally struck!
His half time trash talk needed backing up and he made a great run through the middle, playing a neat one two with Csaba before rifling into the net. Moments later Mick sent a long ball to Brian Butler who only had to control it and finish into the net.
Suddenly the scoreline was 4-4 and A.C Panache were sucking diesel. Eamonn Kennedy who really admires a good diesel sucker, sent Tony free down the right wing and after some tidy control and dancing feet he left Csaba with a simple tap-in after putting the keeper on his arse.
And then there was Jamie 2.0 surging again through the middle after his able housemate Tom had cut out a pass and set him up. Once again he finished with aplomb and the ball nestled in the bottom corner. The witches curse was lifted, the laces tied, the lunch settled, the man on fire!
The score line was now 6-4 with 15 minutes remaining, but the efforts had taken their toll on A.C Panache and Olympique Lyon were overdue their purple patch, and it was during this phase that Mick Brennan played as if he had 8 arms, making some great saves and holding the walls against the stinging attacks of Olympique Lyon. But eventually even his heroic efforts could not stem the tide completely and Olympique pulled back a goal to make it 6-5, with all of 8 minutes left.
The pace and pressure of the game was now at its pinnacle as both teams fought hard for everything, and with 5 minutes left Olympique struck again with another goal coming from fractured play. Despite this A.C Panache rallied and stuck their noses ahead again with 3 minutes remaining after Mick Brennan set Brian Butler free again.
A nail biting last few minutes ensued, as A.C Panache hit the post and defended like tigers. Eamonn Kennedy making a number of crucial blocks with those long hair legs, Tony, Jamie and Csaba pressured every pass and Brian Butler chased every long ball to try and break out, but with just seconds remaining an Olympique Lyon shot took an unfortunate deflection and it took it past Mick Brennan in the corner.
Final score 7-7 as the referee blew up the game after tip off.
Scorers Brian Butler (3), Jamie (2), Tony, Csaba
Friday, 25 October 2013
Another Loss
A.C Panache went down 5-7 against Every Hole Stuffed Wednesday night.
Outplayed for long periods, outfought often and eventually outscored it was a poor performance as everyone seemed to under perform and be lacking a step.
Despite this, the Every Hole Stuffed goalkeeper was outstanding and saved his side on numerous occasions, because despite not gelling as a team A.C Panache's individual skills came to the fore often and tore the opposition apart.
Scorers: Brian Butler, Brian Gunning, Mick, Tony, Jamie.
Outplayed for long periods, outfought often and eventually outscored it was a poor performance as everyone seemed to under perform and be lacking a step.
Despite this, the Every Hole Stuffed goalkeeper was outstanding and saved his side on numerous occasions, because despite not gelling as a team A.C Panache's individual skills came to the fore often and tore the opposition apart.
Scorers: Brian Butler, Brian Gunning, Mick, Tony, Jamie.
Thursday, 17 October 2013
Victory Dance
A.C Panache came from behind tonight in a display that helped to shake off some of the damage from last weeks mauling. Having had some very frank email exchanges since and resolving to create a game plan to stick with come hell or high water, they look to have turned their season towards a more positive heading.
The game started out at a slower pace than usual with A.C Panache trying to keep possession and string passing movements together. Step one of the new master plan. This worked well in phases and Mick Brennan was the anchor in midfield through which much of the passing revolved, but despite the control there was a lack of cutting thrust as A.C Panache were unused to playing this controlled format.
Eamonn Kennedy was proving to be an effective out ball down the right flank and defended well when needed. Brian Gunning linked well with Mick in midfield and worked the ball up towards Csaba who took up the most advanced position of the midfield trio, but due to the lack of penetration more often than not Csaba had to work backwards and feed to Mick, who once again started the passing movements.
The lack of penetration proved to be a weak point as the new found discipline and adherence to structure seemed to curtail the usually more free flowing abandonment with which A.C Panache play, and this invited Dynamo to press higher up the pitch, and as Dynamo pressed higher and got a little bolder they began to disrupt the passing movements.
The opening goal came from a poor pass from Brian Butler. He left Mick Brennan short in midfield and the ball was intercepted allowing the Dynamo midfielder to swoop straight through the middle and bear down on goals almost unimpeded. Eamonn Kennedy made a great effort to cut off the danger but the shot from the edge of the box clipped in low and to the left leaving Aaron Buckley no chance in goals.
The second goal was also scored by Dynamo as they were rewarded for their high pressing with another intercepted pass that allowed their midfielder to shoot from close to halfway, and despite it being low and into Aaron's hands he will be annoyed at himself for somehow letting it squirt between his legs.
Despite going 2-0 down A.C Panache were feeling positive and continued to play like a team. The passing was getting more crisp and they were slowly starting to find holes and get playing a bit closer to the Dynamo goals, but no matter what they did they just could not get the break through until up stepped Tony.
Half time was approaching and Eamonn Kennedy made a great tackle to intercept a ball around the right back position and as it fell to Brian Gunning he quickly transferred it to Tony in the centre circle who looked up and saw the run of Csaba in behind the defence. Despite seeing this run, he just turned and unleashed the ball into the top right corner of the net. The goalie didn't even budge as he was rooted to the spot in confusion, the shot was just too good and completely unexpected.
Half time 1-2, and for once A.C Panache were not breathing like greyhounds after a race and panting for water so perhaps their more patient approach suits their fitness levels.
The second half started much the same as the first with Dynamo pressing hard and A.C Panache trying to hold the ball as much as possible. The third Dynamo goal came about 5 minutes into the 2nd half as a pass between Eamonn and Tony down the right wing took an unfortunate bounce off the cage wall and this allowed the on running Dynamo player to take a touch and shoot, and once again the shot went between Aaron's legs, though this time it was a much harder shot and he cannot be totally blamed for it as his view was blocked by Brian Butler who was trying to make a last ditch tackle.
From that point on though A.C Panache really began to click and their possession game started to really find holes in the defence. The possession game was inviting a lot of fouls and Mick Brennan, Brian Gunning and Csaba Bujna were kicked over at the edge of the box in an 8 minute period. Brian Gunning was the one who nailed his free into the bottom left corner and closed the gap to one goal.
A few moments later Mick Brennan won possession in his own left back spot and played the ball back to the keeper and Aaron moved it onto Brian Butler who took off down the right wing. The pitch suddenly opened up before him as Csaba Bujna made a run towards the back post drawing the defenders away and allowing Brian to have a shot from just outside the box that found its way through the defenders tackle to nestle in the bottom left corner.
Brian Gunning, Tony and Mick started to completely dominate midfield and keep possession and break up any attacks. The 4th goal came from a Brian Gunning tackle and as the ball came loose Brian Butler ran onto it down the left wing and he shot low and to the left, the goalie saved it but it fell straight into his follow up run and after controlling it he finished into the bottom right.
The final goal was very similar as once again Brian Gunning won possession and fed Eamonn Kennedy who set Brian Butler free through the middle and though his shot was saved Mick Brennan followed up on the rebound to take the roof off the net.
Despite a phase of late pressure and some wayward passing A.C Panache held out to win 5-3, pleased to come from 2 goals down and having made progress with their new game plan.
Scorers: Brian Butler(2), Brian Gunning, Tony, Mick
The game started out at a slower pace than usual with A.C Panache trying to keep possession and string passing movements together. Step one of the new master plan. This worked well in phases and Mick Brennan was the anchor in midfield through which much of the passing revolved, but despite the control there was a lack of cutting thrust as A.C Panache were unused to playing this controlled format.
Eamonn Kennedy was proving to be an effective out ball down the right flank and defended well when needed. Brian Gunning linked well with Mick in midfield and worked the ball up towards Csaba who took up the most advanced position of the midfield trio, but due to the lack of penetration more often than not Csaba had to work backwards and feed to Mick, who once again started the passing movements.
The lack of penetration proved to be a weak point as the new found discipline and adherence to structure seemed to curtail the usually more free flowing abandonment with which A.C Panache play, and this invited Dynamo to press higher up the pitch, and as Dynamo pressed higher and got a little bolder they began to disrupt the passing movements.
The opening goal came from a poor pass from Brian Butler. He left Mick Brennan short in midfield and the ball was intercepted allowing the Dynamo midfielder to swoop straight through the middle and bear down on goals almost unimpeded. Eamonn Kennedy made a great effort to cut off the danger but the shot from the edge of the box clipped in low and to the left leaving Aaron Buckley no chance in goals.
The second goal was also scored by Dynamo as they were rewarded for their high pressing with another intercepted pass that allowed their midfielder to shoot from close to halfway, and despite it being low and into Aaron's hands he will be annoyed at himself for somehow letting it squirt between his legs.
Despite going 2-0 down A.C Panache were feeling positive and continued to play like a team. The passing was getting more crisp and they were slowly starting to find holes and get playing a bit closer to the Dynamo goals, but no matter what they did they just could not get the break through until up stepped Tony.
Half time was approaching and Eamonn Kennedy made a great tackle to intercept a ball around the right back position and as it fell to Brian Gunning he quickly transferred it to Tony in the centre circle who looked up and saw the run of Csaba in behind the defence. Despite seeing this run, he just turned and unleashed the ball into the top right corner of the net. The goalie didn't even budge as he was rooted to the spot in confusion, the shot was just too good and completely unexpected.
Half time 1-2, and for once A.C Panache were not breathing like greyhounds after a race and panting for water so perhaps their more patient approach suits their fitness levels.
The second half started much the same as the first with Dynamo pressing hard and A.C Panache trying to hold the ball as much as possible. The third Dynamo goal came about 5 minutes into the 2nd half as a pass between Eamonn and Tony down the right wing took an unfortunate bounce off the cage wall and this allowed the on running Dynamo player to take a touch and shoot, and once again the shot went between Aaron's legs, though this time it was a much harder shot and he cannot be totally blamed for it as his view was blocked by Brian Butler who was trying to make a last ditch tackle.
From that point on though A.C Panache really began to click and their possession game started to really find holes in the defence. The possession game was inviting a lot of fouls and Mick Brennan, Brian Gunning and Csaba Bujna were kicked over at the edge of the box in an 8 minute period. Brian Gunning was the one who nailed his free into the bottom left corner and closed the gap to one goal.
A few moments later Mick Brennan won possession in his own left back spot and played the ball back to the keeper and Aaron moved it onto Brian Butler who took off down the right wing. The pitch suddenly opened up before him as Csaba Bujna made a run towards the back post drawing the defenders away and allowing Brian to have a shot from just outside the box that found its way through the defenders tackle to nestle in the bottom left corner.
Brian Gunning, Tony and Mick started to completely dominate midfield and keep possession and break up any attacks. The 4th goal came from a Brian Gunning tackle and as the ball came loose Brian Butler ran onto it down the left wing and he shot low and to the left, the goalie saved it but it fell straight into his follow up run and after controlling it he finished into the bottom right.
The final goal was very similar as once again Brian Gunning won possession and fed Eamonn Kennedy who set Brian Butler free through the middle and though his shot was saved Mick Brennan followed up on the rebound to take the roof off the net.
Despite a phase of late pressure and some wayward passing A.C Panache held out to win 5-3, pleased to come from 2 goals down and having made progress with their new game plan.
Scorers: Brian Butler(2), Brian Gunning, Tony, Mick
Thursday, 10 October 2013
Total Domination
A.C Panache were taught a lesson last night in how to pass the ball. The More Natural Disasters showed superior team play, tactics, formation and above all crisp passing.
The game started briskly and for the first 15 minutes both teams looked even and pressed hard. Eventually The More Natural Disasters found the net after some fine interplay.
The only goal A.C Panache scored in the first half was a superb strike from Mick Brennan who blasted the ball home from outside the box.
The half time score was 1-5.
The second half was much the same with A.C Panache pressing and trying hard to do something. But is was a case of chasing shadows as The More Natural Disasters were playing tiki-taki with sharp and accurate first time passing. Letting the ball do all the work they were by far the fresher team throughout as A.C Panache had to do three or four times the amount of running.
Brian Gunning scored a spectacular volley mid-way through the second half as a parry from the keeper fell into his path as his burst through from midfield and walloped it into the top left corner.
Jamie O'Driscoll also did well to finish from a tight spot in the corner after A.C Panache finally managed to string a few passes together and the goal was a nice bonus on an evening that was getting towards the embarrassing end of the spectrum!
Scorers: Mick, Jamie, Brian Gunning
A.C Panache need about 6 weeks of intensive rondo to get to where they should be. They also resembled the two guys in the middle of this drill last night!!
The game started briskly and for the first 15 minutes both teams looked even and pressed hard. Eventually The More Natural Disasters found the net after some fine interplay.
The only goal A.C Panache scored in the first half was a superb strike from Mick Brennan who blasted the ball home from outside the box.
The half time score was 1-5.
The second half was much the same with A.C Panache pressing and trying hard to do something. But is was a case of chasing shadows as The More Natural Disasters were playing tiki-taki with sharp and accurate first time passing. Letting the ball do all the work they were by far the fresher team throughout as A.C Panache had to do three or four times the amount of running.
Brian Gunning scored a spectacular volley mid-way through the second half as a parry from the keeper fell into his path as his burst through from midfield and walloped it into the top left corner.
Jamie O'Driscoll also did well to finish from a tight spot in the corner after A.C Panache finally managed to string a few passes together and the goal was a nice bonus on an evening that was getting towards the embarrassing end of the spectrum!
Scorers: Mick, Jamie, Brian Gunning
A.C Panache need about 6 weeks of intensive rondo to get to where they should be. They also resembled the two guys in the middle of this drill last night!!
Thursday, 3 October 2013
Week 4 Walkover
A.C Panache were granted a walkover last night. Disappointing stuff, but 3 points on the board.
Thursday, 26 September 2013
A.C Panache Trounced
A.C Panache were roundly thumped 3-9 by table toppers Olympique need someone ta Lyon last night.
Not that traffic was completely one way as the final score would suggest, but what did start out as a nice drive through town descended quickly into a 2 hour tailback stuck in the Jack Lynch Tunnel!
A.C Panache started quickly, rushing into a 3-1 lead. What happened after that was that wrong turn problem, though it must be pointed out that Olympique need someone ta Lyon know how to play and are a very sporting team to compete against, or at least try to compete against.
The game started at a very brisk pace and on the first attack down the right wing Brian Butler whipped a cross-shot into the bottom corner of the net, perhaps spurned on by Jamie O'Driscoll's accusations of dodgy reporting in last weeks article. We will never know, but that was about as good as he did all night.
Aaron Buckley started again in goals and in the early going didn't have much to worry about. His defence of James Butler and Eamonn Kennedy were controlling things and breaking up attacks. Jamie started brightly controlling play from midfield and Sean worked hard to close down space and cut out passes while Brian Butler ran hard up front to disrupt Olympique need someone ta Lyon.
The second goal game from a quick pass from the playmaker role by Jamie to set Brian free down the left wing. Rounding the last defender, Brian was clipped and this allowed the goalkeeper to beat him to the ball. Fortunately a mis-touch allowed him to catch up, nip in and take it past the keeper but wide of the goals. Now with the Keeper and Defender pinning him into the corner he tried to pull it across the face of the goal and Sean's supporting run was perfectly timed to allow him to coolly tap home into an empty net.
Olympique need someone ta Lyon netted the next goal with a tidy passing movement culminating in an open shot at the edge of the box that left Aaron with no hope in goals.
The third A.C Panache goal was a thing of sublime beauty. Olympique need someone ta Lyon had been increasing the pressure and as they broke down the right wing Jamie O'Driscoll plugged the gap and shut down the move with some tenacious tackling. The ball squirmed across the box and Aaron controlled it with his foot as Jamie came onto take control of the ball.
Looking up he spotted the penetrating run of Brian Gunning and sent a perfect pass the full length of the pitch. Gunning, defying a knee injury, took to the air as graceful as a ballerina and controlled the ball on the toe of his outstretched leg to land perfectly set to sweep the ball past the on rushing keeper.
But as the keeper ran toward him he faked for one split second forcing the keeper to play his hand, and like an assassin, when the keeper put his head up he pulled the trigger to shoot low and accurately through the opening!
3-1 up and A.C Panache looked to be playing very well after 20 minutes.
Olympique need someone ta Lyon turned the screw though. 10 minutes later the half time score was 3-6, with almost all the goals very well worked pass and go team moves that left A.C Panache gasping for oxygen! It was like a hurricane blew through the game leaving A.C Panache looking like a bunch of washed up homeless people walking around an astro turf pitch, it could have been New Orleans but for the paleness of the players!
The 2nd half ended 0-3, giving a full time score of 3-9. Despite not scoring in the 2nd half, A.C Panache worked hard and kept trying to get back into the game but Olympique need someone ta Lyon sat back, absorbed the pressure and hit them on the break making their chances count with some very crisp break out moves.
Brian Gunning had a number of shots, Jamie worked hard to make openings and Eamonn Kennedy raided up the wings but no one could seem to pass the ball properly and stray passes, poor shooting and some nice defending broke down a lot of play.
One 3 minute spell of play summed up A.C Panache's second half efforts. The ball broke 3 times to Jim Butler in the middle of the field, each one a perfect shooting opportunity, but no matter what happened, a leg, the cross bar, or a weak patch of gravity caused the ball to fly over the intended target.
Despite the set back though, A.C panache are slowly coming together and can at least claim to have scored the goal of the game, possibly the season, thanks to Jamie O'Driscoll's Ronaldinho like vision and Brian Gunning's Yaya Toure like long legs!
A blow, not a crippling blow though and Panache will be back. Bolder than ever!
Scorers Brian Butler, Brian Gunning, Sean
Not that traffic was completely one way as the final score would suggest, but what did start out as a nice drive through town descended quickly into a 2 hour tailback stuck in the Jack Lynch Tunnel!
A.C Panache started quickly, rushing into a 3-1 lead. What happened after that was that wrong turn problem, though it must be pointed out that Olympique need someone ta Lyon know how to play and are a very sporting team to compete against, or at least try to compete against.
The game started at a very brisk pace and on the first attack down the right wing Brian Butler whipped a cross-shot into the bottom corner of the net, perhaps spurned on by Jamie O'Driscoll's accusations of dodgy reporting in last weeks article. We will never know, but that was about as good as he did all night.
Aaron Buckley started again in goals and in the early going didn't have much to worry about. His defence of James Butler and Eamonn Kennedy were controlling things and breaking up attacks. Jamie started brightly controlling play from midfield and Sean worked hard to close down space and cut out passes while Brian Butler ran hard up front to disrupt Olympique need someone ta Lyon.
The second goal game from a quick pass from the playmaker role by Jamie to set Brian free down the left wing. Rounding the last defender, Brian was clipped and this allowed the goalkeeper to beat him to the ball. Fortunately a mis-touch allowed him to catch up, nip in and take it past the keeper but wide of the goals. Now with the Keeper and Defender pinning him into the corner he tried to pull it across the face of the goal and Sean's supporting run was perfectly timed to allow him to coolly tap home into an empty net.
Olympique need someone ta Lyon netted the next goal with a tidy passing movement culminating in an open shot at the edge of the box that left Aaron with no hope in goals.
The third A.C Panache goal was a thing of sublime beauty. Olympique need someone ta Lyon had been increasing the pressure and as they broke down the right wing Jamie O'Driscoll plugged the gap and shut down the move with some tenacious tackling. The ball squirmed across the box and Aaron controlled it with his foot as Jamie came onto take control of the ball.
Looking up he spotted the penetrating run of Brian Gunning and sent a perfect pass the full length of the pitch. Gunning, defying a knee injury, took to the air as graceful as a ballerina and controlled the ball on the toe of his outstretched leg to land perfectly set to sweep the ball past the on rushing keeper.
But as the keeper ran toward him he faked for one split second forcing the keeper to play his hand, and like an assassin, when the keeper put his head up he pulled the trigger to shoot low and accurately through the opening!
3-1 up and A.C Panache looked to be playing very well after 20 minutes.
Olympique need someone ta Lyon turned the screw though. 10 minutes later the half time score was 3-6, with almost all the goals very well worked pass and go team moves that left A.C Panache gasping for oxygen! It was like a hurricane blew through the game leaving A.C Panache looking like a bunch of washed up homeless people walking around an astro turf pitch, it could have been New Orleans but for the paleness of the players!
The 2nd half ended 0-3, giving a full time score of 3-9. Despite not scoring in the 2nd half, A.C Panache worked hard and kept trying to get back into the game but Olympique need someone ta Lyon sat back, absorbed the pressure and hit them on the break making their chances count with some very crisp break out moves.
Brian Gunning had a number of shots, Jamie worked hard to make openings and Eamonn Kennedy raided up the wings but no one could seem to pass the ball properly and stray passes, poor shooting and some nice defending broke down a lot of play.
One 3 minute spell of play summed up A.C Panache's second half efforts. The ball broke 3 times to Jim Butler in the middle of the field, each one a perfect shooting opportunity, but no matter what happened, a leg, the cross bar, or a weak patch of gravity caused the ball to fly over the intended target.
Despite the set back though, A.C panache are slowly coming together and can at least claim to have scored the goal of the game, possibly the season, thanks to Jamie O'Driscoll's Ronaldinho like vision and Brian Gunning's Yaya Toure like long legs!
A blow, not a crippling blow though and Panache will be back. Bolder than ever!
Scorers Brian Butler, Brian Gunning, Sean
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
First points of the season
An injury ravaged A.C Panache took to the field tonight and gained their first points of the season.
Brian Gunning, struck down with a suspicious "weekend acquired" injury was unable to take his place as the fulcrum of attack, and a vicious case of Brennan's groin disabled poor wee Michael in his prime the day before the game, leaving him with a bulge and an ice pack between his legs.
The game started at a brisk pace and Eamonn Kennedy carrying an ankle injury soldiered through the discomfort and produced a world class performance at the back, while his partner in crimes against strikers Jim Butler nursed his hamstring through an hour of football as they dovetailed superbly to dominate proceedings for A.C Panache and allowed the others to shine.
Before beginning their domination though, the early going was intense and choppy, with passes going astray and A.C Panache showing all the signs of a team unused to playing with each other. This early unsteady play allowed Every Hole Stuff get a number of shots but Aaron Buckley was once again in goals and started very brightly by keeping Every Hole Stuffed at bay while his compadres were finding their bearings.
Aaron was called on repeatedly early on as A.C Panache took too long to start making passes stick. Brian Butler started up front with the job of running hard to pin Every Hole Stuffed down in their own half and while this worked to stop them building phases, their long clearances produced some ping pong football and the loose balls were sometimes pounced on first by the on rushing Every Hole Stuffed midfielders to keep peppering Aaron with shots.
A.C Panache's luck was only going to hold for so long and eventually Every Hole Stuffed gained their rewards and went into a 0-2 lead after 15 minutes with two goals that had pinged into the net from well placed half volley rockets.
Soon though James Slowey, signed up at the last minute on a bosman and with the legs and lungs of a Kenyan, entered the play and began to assert himself. His hard running from midfield closed the space quickly when A.C Panache had the ball up front and allowed Brian Butler to start making some telling moves.
The opening goal came via a pass from Jim Butler in the right back position who pierced the midfield with a ball to Brian Butler. Turning quickly Butler saw James Slowey cut across from the left and fed him the ball, his movement took two defenders with him and he faked a ball wide to Csaba Bujna but instead back heeled in to the crossing run of Brian Butler who danced cleanly through the gap and slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
This invigorated A.C Panache who started to hold the ball and string some real moves together. This allowed Csaba Bujna, who overcame a dose of food poisoning, to make some well timed support runs and finish the game with 4 goals to his credit on a night when many of his team mates were a touch wasteful in front of goal.
The second came swiftly after the first with James Slowey picking up the ball on the right wing and cutting it back inside Csaba Bujna controlled it with his left to move it outside the keeper and he calmly placed it home.
Even Jim Butler wanted in on the action during this purple patch, and after picking up the ball at right back played a nice one two with Jamie O'Driscoll and then slalomed through the defence only to see his shot come back off the post.
We could be looking at a new wooden spoon competition between the defenders for who scores the least goals!
Jamie O'Driscoll, making his debut tonight, started showing why there was so much interest in his signature on deadline day by producing a performance that justified the hype. He started coming forcefully into the game and his physical strength began to show as he took the game to Every Hole Stuffed and set up Csaba for another chance. Winning the ball in front of his own defence he broke left and took two Every Hole Stuffed players with his move to allow Csaba to make a run down the right wing unimpeded. Switching play forward to James Slowey he immediately got the return and bewildered the defence with an outside of the foot pass to set up the chance for Csaba, and on a night when he scored 4, he couldn't miss!
A.C Panache began to turn the screw even more in the next few minutes as they swarmed all over the play. Opta possession stats show that for this period they had 78% possession, the other 22% was probably the Every Hole Stuff goalkeeper holding onto the ball for dear life.
The third goal saw James Slowey get on the score sheet, and as befitting a man who could give David Rudisha a run for his herd of goats, he picked up the ball on the left wing and jinked and danced his way past 3 would be tacklers as he moved towards the centre of the park then he put his head down and sprinted through a gap to leave just the keeper to beat. 3-2 and A.C Panache moved into the lead with 5 minutes left in the half.
The fourth goal came in the last minute of the first half as Csaba Bujna came onto an Eamonn Kennedy interception that set him through the middle and taking the pass in his stride he finished cooly to the bottom left of the keeper.
Half time 4-2 and A.C Panache were happy to take on some water, or Aaron's strange looking fruit drink, and make a small few adjustments to how they were playing, because despite the hyperbole and impressive comeback from 2 goals down they had squandered a lot of chances that were there for the taking.
The second half started very brightly and Csaba Bujna opened the scoring with a well placed shot to the keepers left after some nice inter play by the whole team. It was their only moment of Barcelona like passing.
Every Hole Stuffed were not going to break easily and they began to fight harder and look to wrestle some control of the game back, but despite that a period of about 10 minutes went by where neither team scored but there was a lot of hard running, tackles, and good goal keeping.
The breakthrough came from a Csaba Bujna interception which broke to Brian Butler and he immediately switched it back to Csaba who had turned the defenders and swooping in from the right flank he finished cooly into the bottom corner.
The four goal cushion allowed A.C Panache to control things and Jamie O'Driscoll, Eamonn Kennedy and James Butler put up a solid wall that held onto the ball and build moves for the duracell bunny James Slowey. Despite his great effort and numerous chances the goalkeeper for Every Hole Stuffed was having a superb game and thwarted chance after chance after chance that A.C Panache created.
With 10 minutes left in the game the compact and solid nature of both teams started to fray along with their stamina. The game suddenly went end to end with chances opening up for everyone. Once again this loose play suited Every Hole Stuffed who sprang to life with two well taken goals from quick through balls that caught A.C Panache napping.
An interception by Brian Butler set him free through the midfield and his shot was saved but fell to Csaba's golden boot and he smashed home his 4th goal.
A final Every Hole Stuffed goal squeezed through the legs of Aaron Buckley, who like Michael Brennan will be worrying about between his legs for the next week as his boisterous team mates are hardly likely to let these things pass without a comment or two!
Scorers: Csaba (4), Brian Butler (2), James Slowey (1)
Brian Gunning, struck down with a suspicious "weekend acquired" injury was unable to take his place as the fulcrum of attack, and a vicious case of Brennan's groin disabled poor wee Michael in his prime the day before the game, leaving him with a bulge and an ice pack between his legs.
The game started at a brisk pace and Eamonn Kennedy carrying an ankle injury soldiered through the discomfort and produced a world class performance at the back, while his partner in crimes against strikers Jim Butler nursed his hamstring through an hour of football as they dovetailed superbly to dominate proceedings for A.C Panache and allowed the others to shine.
Before beginning their domination though, the early going was intense and choppy, with passes going astray and A.C Panache showing all the signs of a team unused to playing with each other. This early unsteady play allowed Every Hole Stuff get a number of shots but Aaron Buckley was once again in goals and started very brightly by keeping Every Hole Stuffed at bay while his compadres were finding their bearings.
Aaron was called on repeatedly early on as A.C Panache took too long to start making passes stick. Brian Butler started up front with the job of running hard to pin Every Hole Stuffed down in their own half and while this worked to stop them building phases, their long clearances produced some ping pong football and the loose balls were sometimes pounced on first by the on rushing Every Hole Stuffed midfielders to keep peppering Aaron with shots.
A.C Panache's luck was only going to hold for so long and eventually Every Hole Stuffed gained their rewards and went into a 0-2 lead after 15 minutes with two goals that had pinged into the net from well placed half volley rockets.
Soon though James Slowey, signed up at the last minute on a bosman and with the legs and lungs of a Kenyan, entered the play and began to assert himself. His hard running from midfield closed the space quickly when A.C Panache had the ball up front and allowed Brian Butler to start making some telling moves.
The opening goal came via a pass from Jim Butler in the right back position who pierced the midfield with a ball to Brian Butler. Turning quickly Butler saw James Slowey cut across from the left and fed him the ball, his movement took two defenders with him and he faked a ball wide to Csaba Bujna but instead back heeled in to the crossing run of Brian Butler who danced cleanly through the gap and slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
This invigorated A.C Panache who started to hold the ball and string some real moves together. This allowed Csaba Bujna, who overcame a dose of food poisoning, to make some well timed support runs and finish the game with 4 goals to his credit on a night when many of his team mates were a touch wasteful in front of goal.
The second came swiftly after the first with James Slowey picking up the ball on the right wing and cutting it back inside Csaba Bujna controlled it with his left to move it outside the keeper and he calmly placed it home.
Even Jim Butler wanted in on the action during this purple patch, and after picking up the ball at right back played a nice one two with Jamie O'Driscoll and then slalomed through the defence only to see his shot come back off the post.
We could be looking at a new wooden spoon competition between the defenders for who scores the least goals!
Jamie O'Driscoll, making his debut tonight, started showing why there was so much interest in his signature on deadline day by producing a performance that justified the hype. He started coming forcefully into the game and his physical strength began to show as he took the game to Every Hole Stuffed and set up Csaba for another chance. Winning the ball in front of his own defence he broke left and took two Every Hole Stuffed players with his move to allow Csaba to make a run down the right wing unimpeded. Switching play forward to James Slowey he immediately got the return and bewildered the defence with an outside of the foot pass to set up the chance for Csaba, and on a night when he scored 4, he couldn't miss!
A.C Panache began to turn the screw even more in the next few minutes as they swarmed all over the play. Opta possession stats show that for this period they had 78% possession, the other 22% was probably the Every Hole Stuff goalkeeper holding onto the ball for dear life.
The third goal saw James Slowey get on the score sheet, and as befitting a man who could give David Rudisha a run for his herd of goats, he picked up the ball on the left wing and jinked and danced his way past 3 would be tacklers as he moved towards the centre of the park then he put his head down and sprinted through a gap to leave just the keeper to beat. 3-2 and A.C Panache moved into the lead with 5 minutes left in the half.
The fourth goal came in the last minute of the first half as Csaba Bujna came onto an Eamonn Kennedy interception that set him through the middle and taking the pass in his stride he finished cooly to the bottom left of the keeper.
Half time 4-2 and A.C Panache were happy to take on some water, or Aaron's strange looking fruit drink, and make a small few adjustments to how they were playing, because despite the hyperbole and impressive comeback from 2 goals down they had squandered a lot of chances that were there for the taking.
The second half started very brightly and Csaba Bujna opened the scoring with a well placed shot to the keepers left after some nice inter play by the whole team. It was their only moment of Barcelona like passing.
Every Hole Stuffed were not going to break easily and they began to fight harder and look to wrestle some control of the game back, but despite that a period of about 10 minutes went by where neither team scored but there was a lot of hard running, tackles, and good goal keeping.
The breakthrough came from a Csaba Bujna interception which broke to Brian Butler and he immediately switched it back to Csaba who had turned the defenders and swooping in from the right flank he finished cooly into the bottom corner.
The four goal cushion allowed A.C Panache to control things and Jamie O'Driscoll, Eamonn Kennedy and James Butler put up a solid wall that held onto the ball and build moves for the duracell bunny James Slowey. Despite his great effort and numerous chances the goalkeeper for Every Hole Stuffed was having a superb game and thwarted chance after chance after chance that A.C Panache created.
With 10 minutes left in the game the compact and solid nature of both teams started to fray along with their stamina. The game suddenly went end to end with chances opening up for everyone. Once again this loose play suited Every Hole Stuffed who sprang to life with two well taken goals from quick through balls that caught A.C Panache napping.
An interception by Brian Butler set him free through the midfield and his shot was saved but fell to Csaba's golden boot and he smashed home his 4th goal.
A final Every Hole Stuffed goal squeezed through the legs of Aaron Buckley, who like Michael Brennan will be worrying about between his legs for the next week as his boisterous team mates are hardly likely to let these things pass without a comment or two!
Scorers: Csaba (4), Brian Butler (2), James Slowey (1)
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
Season Opener
On a balmy evening, one perfect for soccer, A.C Panache got their season off to a losing start but with some positives to take from it. The team, after some big summer transfers, took a long time to get used to playing with each other and found the early going tough.
Passes didn't stick, clearances were hastily kicked away and as a result Dynamo Chicken Kiev had a number of early attempts at goal, but Aaron Buckley was solid between the posts and kept them at bay. Eamonn Kennedy was going like gangbusters in defence and working well with Jim Butler while the midfield and attacking players were finding the going a bit heavy.
Dynamo Kiev opened the scoring after about 15 minutes with a well taken goal. A ball cleared from the back was well controlled by the centre forward who pushed it wide to the left of the box and drilled it low into the corner.
Dynamo Kiev continued their early dominance and piled the pressure on A.C Panache but Eamonn Kennedy and Jim Butler continued to be a solid line to thwart numerous attacks and they were rewarded when Eamonn slipped the ball to Mick Brennan in midfield who deftly threaded a pass through that Brian Gunning slotted into the bottom right corner.
Despite the goal against the run of play Dynamo went on to control matters for the next 5 minutes and once again opened up a one goal lead with about 3 minutes left in the half.
The half ended 1-2 to Dynamo Kiev and A.C Panache were happy to take a moment to regroup and take stock after a grueling opening 30 minutes to the season.
The second half began much better for A.C Panache as they approached the game much more positively. Brian Butler went up front under instructions to work hard and help pin Dynamo Kiev down and stop them building momentum from the back. This paid dividends after 3 minutes when great work by Csaba Bujna on the right flank won the ball in an attacking position, his pass was swept on by Brian Butler to Mick Brennan who was bearing down on goals, and with a superb swivel he controlled the ball, turned 180 degrees and slotted it into the bottom left corner it one stylish piece of play.
A.C Panache kept applying the pressure and Eamonn Kennedy made a great run up the left wing after a solid tackle, slipped the ball through to Brian Butler and he finished under the keeper. A.C Panache were now playing very well and piled the pressure on Dynamo Kiev. Unfortunately a run of balls out over the side of the pitch took some speed out of the game but the intensity was certainly rising.
Jim Butler was playing solidly at the back, but after a slip when turning felt his hamstring go and quickly signalled to the bench and had to sit out the rest of the game.
Brian Gunning started to control the middle of the park and linked up well with Mick Brennan to start stringing nice pieces of play together. One such piece of play saw Mick Brennan send a ball down the right wing to Brian Butler who back heeled it to the on rushing Brian Gunning, and with a crisp first time half volley he rifled the ball into the top left corner of the net.
With a 2 goal cushion and playing well a bit of laxity crept into A.C Panache's play and Dynamo Kiev pounced on this lack of concentration. Brian Butler was guilty of some sloppy play in his own defence and allowed himself to be softly dispossessed and the Dynamo Kiev striker quickly squared the ball to an on rushing player who finished nicely into the corner. Quickly after this some great anticipation by the Dynamo Chicken Kiev striker saw him cut out a goal kick and he finished with his second touch right into the bottom corner.
All square but the sudden reversal in momentum shocked A.C Panache and they were once again on the back foot as Dynamo Chicken Kiev began to again assert some authority. Playing some nice touch and go football they opened up chances on a number of occassions but Aaron Buckley was equal to them in goals and Mick Brennan and Eamonn Kennedy were alert to the danger while Brian Gunning made some great tackles and cut off a few potential one on ones with the keeper.
This firefighting could only go on so long and Dynamo Kiev eventually found the net after prizing open the defence and their attacking midfielder finished coolly into the bottom corner. Another blow was struck soon after and it put two goals between the teams. From 2 down Dynamo were suddenly 2 up with 5 minutes to go.
This heavy blow was one the A.C Panache didn't have the time to recover from and despite scoring one more goal, Dynamo answered it swiftly to maintain their 2 goal cushion. The last 3 minutes, and an additional 2 minutes of extra time, were played at helter skelter pace and it saw A.C Panache go all out to try and close the deficit but Dynamo Kiev were not for breaking.
Csaba Bujna worked very hard to find a way through, but was blocked or tackled and still hit the post twice, Mick Brennan and Brian Gunning were running hard in midfield to try and make something happen and tested the keeper on a few occasions but with no rub of the green as it was like Oliver Kahn had suddenly put on a Dynamo jersey, and Eamonn Kennedy was holding the defence together and winning the ball with some great anticipation to set up chance after chance. But Catenaccio was well and truly out and the Dynamo Kiev door was bolted shut.
Dynamo will be pleased with tonights result as they showed great heart and resolve to come from two down to win it, and A.C Panache will seek to build on the good play they strung together this week, try to capitalise on more chances and cut out the rough edges from playing together as a new outfit.
Score A.C Panache 5-7 Dynamo Chicken Kiev
Scorers; Brian Butler (2), Brian Gunning (2), Mick Brennan
Passes didn't stick, clearances were hastily kicked away and as a result Dynamo Chicken Kiev had a number of early attempts at goal, but Aaron Buckley was solid between the posts and kept them at bay. Eamonn Kennedy was going like gangbusters in defence and working well with Jim Butler while the midfield and attacking players were finding the going a bit heavy.
Dynamo Kiev opened the scoring after about 15 minutes with a well taken goal. A ball cleared from the back was well controlled by the centre forward who pushed it wide to the left of the box and drilled it low into the corner.
Dynamo Kiev continued their early dominance and piled the pressure on A.C Panache but Eamonn Kennedy and Jim Butler continued to be a solid line to thwart numerous attacks and they were rewarded when Eamonn slipped the ball to Mick Brennan in midfield who deftly threaded a pass through that Brian Gunning slotted into the bottom right corner.
Despite the goal against the run of play Dynamo went on to control matters for the next 5 minutes and once again opened up a one goal lead with about 3 minutes left in the half.
The half ended 1-2 to Dynamo Kiev and A.C Panache were happy to take a moment to regroup and take stock after a grueling opening 30 minutes to the season.
The second half began much better for A.C Panache as they approached the game much more positively. Brian Butler went up front under instructions to work hard and help pin Dynamo Kiev down and stop them building momentum from the back. This paid dividends after 3 minutes when great work by Csaba Bujna on the right flank won the ball in an attacking position, his pass was swept on by Brian Butler to Mick Brennan who was bearing down on goals, and with a superb swivel he controlled the ball, turned 180 degrees and slotted it into the bottom left corner it one stylish piece of play.
A.C Panache kept applying the pressure and Eamonn Kennedy made a great run up the left wing after a solid tackle, slipped the ball through to Brian Butler and he finished under the keeper. A.C Panache were now playing very well and piled the pressure on Dynamo Kiev. Unfortunately a run of balls out over the side of the pitch took some speed out of the game but the intensity was certainly rising.
Jim Butler was playing solidly at the back, but after a slip when turning felt his hamstring go and quickly signalled to the bench and had to sit out the rest of the game.
Brian Gunning started to control the middle of the park and linked up well with Mick Brennan to start stringing nice pieces of play together. One such piece of play saw Mick Brennan send a ball down the right wing to Brian Butler who back heeled it to the on rushing Brian Gunning, and with a crisp first time half volley he rifled the ball into the top left corner of the net.
With a 2 goal cushion and playing well a bit of laxity crept into A.C Panache's play and Dynamo Kiev pounced on this lack of concentration. Brian Butler was guilty of some sloppy play in his own defence and allowed himself to be softly dispossessed and the Dynamo Kiev striker quickly squared the ball to an on rushing player who finished nicely into the corner. Quickly after this some great anticipation by the Dynamo Chicken Kiev striker saw him cut out a goal kick and he finished with his second touch right into the bottom corner.
All square but the sudden reversal in momentum shocked A.C Panache and they were once again on the back foot as Dynamo Chicken Kiev began to again assert some authority. Playing some nice touch and go football they opened up chances on a number of occassions but Aaron Buckley was equal to them in goals and Mick Brennan and Eamonn Kennedy were alert to the danger while Brian Gunning made some great tackles and cut off a few potential one on ones with the keeper.
This firefighting could only go on so long and Dynamo Kiev eventually found the net after prizing open the defence and their attacking midfielder finished coolly into the bottom corner. Another blow was struck soon after and it put two goals between the teams. From 2 down Dynamo were suddenly 2 up with 5 minutes to go.
This heavy blow was one the A.C Panache didn't have the time to recover from and despite scoring one more goal, Dynamo answered it swiftly to maintain their 2 goal cushion. The last 3 minutes, and an additional 2 minutes of extra time, were played at helter skelter pace and it saw A.C Panache go all out to try and close the deficit but Dynamo Kiev were not for breaking.
Csaba Bujna worked very hard to find a way through, but was blocked or tackled and still hit the post twice, Mick Brennan and Brian Gunning were running hard in midfield to try and make something happen and tested the keeper on a few occasions but with no rub of the green as it was like Oliver Kahn had suddenly put on a Dynamo jersey, and Eamonn Kennedy was holding the defence together and winning the ball with some great anticipation to set up chance after chance. But Catenaccio was well and truly out and the Dynamo Kiev door was bolted shut.
Dynamo will be pleased with tonights result as they showed great heart and resolve to come from two down to win it, and A.C Panache will seek to build on the good play they strung together this week, try to capitalise on more chances and cut out the rough edges from playing together as a new outfit.
Score A.C Panache 5-7 Dynamo Chicken Kiev
Season Fixtures 2013
Christmas league fixtures
**Christmas Fixtures Source
First league fixtures
**Original Fixtures Source
| Date | Time | Opposition | Result | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 20 | 20:00 | The Temple Inn | 2-4 | Report |
| Nov 27 | 21:00 | Every Hole Stuffed FC | 12-7 | Report |
| Dec 04 | 21:00 | MISH MASH | 4-9 | Report |
| Dec 11 | 21:00 | Inglorious Bastards | 3-6 | Report |
| Dec 18 | 19:00 | The More Natural Disasters | W/O | Report |
First league fixtures
| Date | Time | Opposition | Result | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 11 | 21:00 | Dynamo Chicken Kiev | 5-7 | Report |
| Sep 18 | 21:00 | Every Hole Stuffed FC | 7-5 | Report |
| Sep 25 | 20:00 | Olympique need someone ta Lyon | 3-9 | Report |
| Oct 02 | 20:00 | Watergrasshill United | 6-0 | Report |
| Oct 09 | 19:00 | The More Natural Disasters | 3-10 | Report |
| Oct 16 | 20:00 | Dynamo Chicken Kiev | 5-3 | Report |
| Oct 23 | 20:00 | Every Hole Stuffed FC | 5-7 | Report |
| Oct 30 | 21:00 | Olympique need someone ta Lyon | 7-7 | Report |
| Nov 06 | 21:00 | Watergrasshill United | 40-3 | Report |
| Nov 13 | 19:00 | The More Natural Disasters | 11-4 | Report |
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