FC Irlande - Matchday 1

Goalois 4 - 0 FC Irlande

Well, a terrible, terrible start to the new season. This time last year we were full of optimism after beating these boys 3-2 in the first match of our second stint in the top flight. Now we're wondering if we're going to pull a Reading or a West Ham, i.e. have a great first season back in the top flight, only to let complacency set in during the second.

Missing four regulars we started well. We had a couple of half chances before Fred forced a good save from the keeper when through on goal. All our momentum was lost, however, when their centre back headed in from a corner. Shortly after Fred deflected a free kick past a helpless Chris in goal and it was 2-0. RIght on cue the rain began lashing down. It's a beautiful thing when you're winning, but utterly deflating when you're down.

At halftime the message was stop bitching at each other and especially stop bitching at the ref. We didn't really do either, though we did marginally improve. It wasn't enough though. Goalois are a strong side; they finished sixth last season and were unlucky to lose to us twice. We didn't really fashion any more clear cut chances, and instead gifted them two more goals. The first was a woeful cross-field pass from Ori that was easily cut out and turned into a neat assist. The second was a suicidal combination between Chris and Enda at the back that resulted in the ball going straight to their striker, who rounded Chris and tapped in.

We talked formations and players and missed chances, but the two most important aspects are to be stronger physically and mentally.

FC Irlande: Chris, Enda, Adrien, Alec, Ben Gannon (Ori), Mark, Yann, Alvaro, Fred, Stef (Christophe), Ross

Man of the Match: Ross - when everyone plays badly, vote for the best-looking bloke