3rd February 2023 - Post-Season Matchday 6
7pm Wembledines 5-0 BD Ballers Pitch 1
7pm Bluestreak 8-2 Barely Athletic Pitch 2
8pm Team Lightning 1-1 Deportivo D'doyle Pitch 1
8pm Alfies Heroes 4-2 Cutters Pitch 2
The 7pm kick offs saw two one sided games play out as Wembledines and Bluestreak both recorded resounding victories. BD started the game with just 8 players (vs the 9 of Wembledines) before both teams reached the full compliment a few minutes into the game. A left footed shot from the central area just outside the box saw a small deflection and the BD keeper beaten to give Dines a 1-0 lead. The Dines kicked on from that and put 4 more past BD. The win puts Wembledines right back amongst it as far as Champions League places go.
Some great goals were seen in Bluestreak v Barely as they played out a 10-goal thriller. Barely, who boasted the best defensive record in the league before this game, had one to forget as they conceded twice as many goals in this game than they have in the whole post-season so far. In the third minute, Nicky cut in from left wing and placed a right footed shot over the keeper. In the 9th minute, Nicky was found in the box again and put Bluestreak 2-0 ahead. An open game with plenty of goal mouth action saw Bluestreak keep trucking along. Top of the table with 4 tough games to go, Bluestreak know every single point is huge at this point.
A goal 6 minutes from the start and 6 minutes from the end saw Deportivo Dooradoyle and Team Lightning play out a well contested 1-1 draw. A goal in the 6th minute got Depor off to the perfect start and the game ebbed and flowed from there. The ball was in the net again in the 15th minute when Kevin Shine played a lovely a ball to find Mike at the back post. A super one touch volleyd finish was cruelly ruled out for offside. In the 55th minute, Lightning's Barry faked a shot on the edge of the of box, cut in on his left and slotted it to make it 1-1 going into the final minutes. The game was nearly nicked by Lightning when a last minute Ian Sullivan header from a corner rattled the crossbar (video below). An important point for both teams. Although Deportivo lose ground on Bluestreak, they're still well within touching distance and won't be panicking. They'll be hoping to achieve maximum points in their next two games before the big showdown on Matchday 9. Team Lightning, who had lost two on the bounce, stop the rot a little bit and keep their hopes of Champions League football alive.
It took Alfies a while to get going in their tie vs Cutters. A left footed shot in the second minute was saved by the Alfies keeper, but the Cutters forward was alive to follow up and put the Clare men a goal ahead. The teams swapped penalty goals (videos of both below) and Alfies added another in 47th minute. A corner was kept alive by Alfies and eventually finished with a lovely finish into the bottom corner. A frustrating game for Cutters who would've felt they had their fair share of chances. Alfies managed the greater conversion rate on the night and it secured them the win. The win puts Alfie in prime position over Lightning and Wembledines for the Champions League places, but it really is anyone's game at this point in the season. Meanwhile Barely will have their eye on Cutters and hope they can mount a late season charge to overtake them and secure a Champions League semi-final place. Plenty to play for as we enter the final stages of the season!
Cutters Penalty
Alfies Penalty
Last minute header off crossbar