FC Irlande - Matchday 6

FC Irlande 1 - 2 Etterkijs-Champion

Well this one really hurt. We came up short against a very average, but determined side and ended the day two places above the drop zone, staring up at the league leaders. After going in at the break two goals down, man of the match Fred gave us hope. Sadly, it was as good as it got.

When the ref started the match a torrential ten-minute downpour ensued that really made things difficult. We looked like the stronger team, but lacked a little bit of spark. We also had Fred wearing the wrong under shorts. The ref wasn't happy that they came below his football shorts, and so sent him to the sidelines to change them. This was just after he'd given them a free kick 35 yards out. Perhaps if Fred had been there we wouldn't have conceded. Who knows. The ball got driven in, flicked on rather awkwardly by one of their blokes, and into the corner.

We carved out a couple of openings, and hit the bar when Sigve unleashed a vicious shot from the edge of the box. Other than that we laboured a bit; sodden kit feels all the heavier when you're down and chasing the game. Then a ball came high towards me a few yards in front of their box. I tried a stupid first-time flick that went straight to one of their men. He pumped it forward and seemingly in the blink of an eye Chris was out his box and their striker had tapped it past him. 2-0.

A quick goal after half time was essential, and we got it after a good corner from David. Fred got his head to it and it looped up and over the keeper. Game on. Not long after that, Sigve was hauled down just in front of the six-yard box as he prepared to pull the trigger. The ref seemed to hesitate a bit, but gave the penalty. Surely a red card would follow - it was as clear a goal-scoring opportunity as you could hope for. No card was produced, though, and David's penalty was saved. That was as close as we came.

It's hard to remember another chance they had, or a good passage of play. Once again they capitalised on two defensive mistakes, while at the other end we couldn't finish our chances. That's the story of the season so far. And it doesn't get any easier. This Saturday we're at home to the champions, Jefke. If we can resurrect the spirit that saw us beat them at home 2-0 last season we'll be fine.

FC Irlande: Chris, Fred, Christian, Alec, Mark, Yann, Adrian (Benoit), Charles, David, Sigve, Ross

Goal: Fred

Man of the match: Fred - Worked hard in defense and scored our only goal.