This week, I’m bringing you a special double header report consisting of Park View FC league match exploits against Brimsdown FC and the much anticipated EE Wembley Cup event held at Wembley Stadium London on the 25th of November. Before I get into the exciting reviews of the latter, my mandatory report of the former takes preference..

After last Tuesdays away cup narrow defeat (lost on penalties) to Bedfont and Feltham FC, I woke up early on Saturday, going through my routines and hoping for a change in fortune against our league opponents later in the day. My partner, assuming I was playing, asked if I was physically and spiritually ready for the game to which I responded “yes but as a goalkeeping coach.. I don’t have to play this time“. She’s got my best interest at heart. Anyway, the team made the journey down to Ware, Brimsdown FC share grounds with Ware FC of The Bostik League South Central Division. We got there on time, got the warm ups in and we were good to go for the game. The only hiccup before the game was the clash of orange coloured jerseys between the goalkeepers. Luis Silva was scheduled to wear orange but the home team goalkeeper was in orange as well. Luckily I had my kit bag with me and Luis changed into purple.

On with the game.. and I must point out that on average the opposition had a significant height advantage per personnel, meaning we had to play majority of our football on the turf to compete productively, and after some early exchange of good play and full blooded challenges, ironically we conceded the first goal from a beautiful left footed angled strike from their midfielder from about 25 yards that flew into the top corner, goalkeeper no chance. That seemed to fire us up and within 10 minutes we got the equaliser through some good interchange of play in the final third, Francis Williams the hitman bulldozering his way through and smashing the ball home. Now at this stage, we got hold of the game with Stephen Bwanga controlling the midfield and bringing others into the game. This was his best game to date and that has to be commended. His exploits caused so much havoc we were awarded a free kick after an illegal challenge from the opposing defender just outside the 18yard box. The free-kick was duly despatched by the sweet left foot of Kofi Appiah, making the game 2 – 1 to the good. The scores stayed till half time. Second half was a struggle because of the drop in temperature which resulted to a number of their players cramping up. Eventually the game ended on the final scoreline 2 – 1 to the good.. she brings me luck at will! This win was well battled and fully deserved from a collective and efficient unit, as we should have won by a bigger margin if we had more composure in front of the oppositions goal. 3 points in the bag and we keep moving on and up the league table..

Yesterday, the EE Wembley Cup was a spectacular event that featured the best YouTube football teams that has been battling through group stages, leading to the road to Wembley.

The teams that made it to Wembley were Hashtag United (last year’s champions) XO FC, F2 FC and Rebel FC. The format was a 30 minutes game, 15 minutes each half. The rules were that if the game ended in a draw then an extra time of 10 minutes will be played.. but with a twist! Every minute a player from each side must drop off or as it’s refered to as Man Down as the game goes on until a goal is scored, creating the result. Also if a player is yellow carded during the game, he gets a 3 minute sin bin. Each of the four teams had a football legend playing for their side, so ..

• Hashtag United – Robert Piers 🇫🇷
• XO FC – Cafu 🇧🇷
• F2 FC – David Trezeguet 🇫🇷
• Rebel FC – Michael Essien 🇬🇭

The game got started with Hashtag United vs Rebel FC and it wasn’t long before the champions found themselves a goal down through some brilliant play from the Rebel FCs striker. The game ended in a one nil defeat an THAT was it for the Champions. Next was F2 FC vs XO FC. The game dragged on in the first 15 minutes ( unfortunately their star player Billy Wingrove sustained an injury and had to be carried off prematurely ) and the drag continued for the next 15 minutes resulting in a stalemate. Then came the 10 minutes extra-fun time and the eventual winning goal came from F2 FC, then both teams where down to 7 men.

The Final : F2 FC vs Rebel FC

The final game started off with a blast as both teams where gunning for the win and it wasn’t long before the only goal of the game was scored, be it a soft goal by all standards. Step up the legend David Trezeguet. Receiving a high diagonal cross to his left, he managed to bring the ball down with his right foot and strike the ball towards goal. It was a high comfortable catch for the goalkeeper but somehow he manage it make a rash meal of it, bubbled off his gloves and ended up in the net with the ball in his grasp 😳. That was clearly a moment of lack of concentration and that goal cost them the game. The second half wasn’t much of an entertainment but the biggest cheer of the night went to a pitch invader that gave the stewards a run for their money 😂😂😂, Luckily he wasn’t a streaker because there were loads of kids in attendance and that would be very embarrassing indeed.

Overall it was a great night for football and F2 FC were worthy champions on the night. After watching and reflecting on the show, I felt a strong feeling I will be appearing on that stage very very soon. I just know it.. I’m already working on it..

You Are The Ultimate Keeper Of Your Destiny… ULTIMATE KEEPER