In time honoured tradition, a weather report from Rosier for which I’ve been waiting for over ten years!
Line up J Ammann T Williamson, P Wrigley, D James, A. Knott C Ffinch , P Brown, F Dehombreux, G Boyadjiev T. White, K Francey Subs: A Pugh and J Bentham Delegue: Hughie Gallagher
In time honoured tradition, a weather report from Rosier which I’ve been waiting for for over ten years!! Rain on Saturday, and a muddy pitch, and it didn’t disappoint! The pre-match team talk was as much as expected, with Kenny asking we play attractive but defensive football and try to frustrate the opposition as much as possible. With this in mind, we thought we might have a decent chance, given the weather, no 25C, no sun and no hard pitch, just rain, cold, and a slipperey pitch, so the odds looked good for us.
As the game started, it was apparent that the Campo’s were going for the throat, a lot of attacking play, especially down our flanks, but Riggers and Knott did well to keep them at bay. Williamson and James also playing well in the middle, clearing up what the boys out wide missed.
Soon it was time to let the Portos know they were in a game, the ball was played out to their left, just over the halfway line when Williamson lunged in with a two footed challenge to take the ball, just before almost de-capitating their left wing, out for a throw. Derision from the porto supporters, but a ”get in there” cheers from the Lads on the touchline. VERY lucky not to get booked for that one!!!
Campo’s made some good chances in and around our box, but failed failed to capitlise, with a fair few shoots over and just wide of the mark. Mind you, our boys and a few chances of our own, using the counter break down the the left and right, with both Ffinch and Georgey boy having shooting opportunities, and also feeding Big Tone and even bigger Ken up front for more chances.
Half way through the half things became a little precarious for the Chaps, as Mr Knott complained of muscle pull around the ”shorts” area, so maybe we should ask Mrs Knott what Mr Knott was doing Friday evening!! So off went Alex to the magic sponge treatment, and on came Jezzer. We had a little shuffle at the back, with Riggers moving to left back, and Big Jez in at right back.
At this time, the game was going well for us, and we could tell that Campos were getting a little annoyed at not being able to score, seeing as they scored 24 in 4 games, impressive, even by our standards!! Then one of their guys unleashed a belter of a shot straight at poor Freddy. After ten mintues of groaning, Freddy arose to the new name of Freddy Van Gogh!! After an eerie silence Freddy started seeing Sunflowers and asked to be subbed!! So on came Andy P, to fill the void in midfield, and made a Tip Top job!!
So came half-time, and Kenny delivered the usual keep it up chaps, but with a big grin on his face and looking like he meant it!!! No Subs at halftime as Jez and Andy came on during the first half. Some words of encouragement from Hughie, and the second half got started.
By this time the guys from Porto looked as though their manager had put a rocket up their ”Burro”, and came flying out of the blocks. James playing as sweeper, and Williamson as marker had their attack sussed out, and they found it harder and harder to break through. Again more sliding tackles, and defensive steeliness had the portos scratching their nossers! Then Pete B came in with an oustanding tackle, as all I can call is like British Rail, Late but never admit it!!! A yellow card for poor Pete who played very well as the holding midfielder. Riggers also picked up a yellow for a dubious tackle a little later on, but the Ref, who I thought had an outstanding game , issued a yellow to one of the Porto players as he waved an imaginary card in the direction of Kenny, a typical centre forward tackle 5 yards outside our area, then procedeed to get sent off argueing about it!!
A lot of late pressure from the Portuguese see a number of fouls committed in and around our penalty box, but Juergen, a little dodgy on occasions stood firm. One last throw of the dice see Pete B shoot from a full 30 yards, only to see his shot deflected from the back of their number 10, out for a corner. It would have been a rewarding ending if it had gone in!
So, the final whistle blew, and a very satisfied team indeed retired to the changing room where we all thought the draw was as good as a win!!! Up to the bar where the Portuguese where crying in their Port, plotting revenge for the return leg, but I think we’ll do ’em at their place!!! As like the previous week, MOM was very tight, but it canme to an even split, James and Williamson with 4 a piece, should have voted for myself and Dazza would have the report!!! So, until the next thrilling instalement of Vets2 vs the world ADEUS!!!
PS – Google translate has been used in this report!!!
