Week 3: AA 6 SLB 2

AA continued their winning ways with a resounding 6-2 performance against the cryptically-named 'slb' in difficult circumstances… a bizarre referee (this guy's younger brother perhaps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86AJje3ElDc) and a cynical opposition who went down far too easily. You don't want to see that creeping into the game…
Despite being patently superior, AA made things difficult by conceding a speculative goal early on. In truth, they laboured to equalise, spurning chance after chance through poor finishing and bad decision-making in the final third… It was difficult to establish a rhythm with erratic refereeing, including several foul throws! But with half-time looming, Ant "Gaffer" Spratt justified his MVP billing and £1,000,000 price tag with a rampaging run forward from defence. A perfectly weighted pass invited him to run on and Spratt produced a stunning finish with the outside of the right boot under not inconsiderable pressure from the keeper… (Though when quizzed after, Spratt thought he had scuffed it with his left…)
After the interval, AA kept applying the pressure against a tiring team with the revolutionary 3-1-1 formation proving highly effective, and indeed the breakthrough wasn't long in coming. James Murphy, in a Henrik Larsson-esque cameo appearance for AA, displayed good composure to finish at the second time of asking after his first effort came back off the post. With 'slb' forced to attack, AA were able to pick them off on the break with a series of flowing moves. John Murphy picked up another brace while Jim Butler scored arguably the pick of the goals (!) (ED: Definitely up for debate?!), deftly finishing after great work down the right by James M. Alex O'Donovan rounded things off by expertly rounding (fittingly) the keeper and slotting home to make it 6. There followed a polite exchange between Alex and one of the 'slb' players who had taken issue with a 'foul' by Alex earlier.
All in all, it was a good workmanlike performance by AA, despite the last-minute consolation goal by 'slb'.
1. "Safehands" Sweetnam
2. Jim "Crowd favourite" Butler
3. Gav "Calm and collected" Jeffery
4. Ant "Gaffer" Spratt
5. James "Tricks" Galvin
6. James "Hit it long" Murphy
7. Billy "Solid as a rock" Murphy
8. John "Doesn't stop running" Murphy
9. Alex "Wizard" O'Donovan
Goal scorers: Spratt, John Murphy x 2, James Murphy, Jim Butler, Alex O'Donovan

Week 2: AA 5 Wildcats 2

Week 2: AA 5 Wildcats 2
Almaty Athletic put last week's disastrous start behind them by winning comprehensively against Wildcats 5-2.
They started with pace and purpose and got their early reward when Galvin finished off a superb team move. They quickly added to their lead with a well-taken goal from John Murphy. Wildcats pulled a goal back when slack defending left their left full back in unmarked to finish well.
At half-time the statistics showed that Almaty had 75% possession but only a one goal lead. However, Almaty were to convert their possession into goals in the second half. John Murphy exposed Wildcats defence on the break and finished with finesse to make it 3-1. Galvin also bamboozled their defense to make it four.
Wildcats then managed to pull one back to put the pressure on Almaty for the last 10 mins. Their hopes were dashed when some excellent vision from "Safehands" Sweetnam spotted the Wildcats keeper off his line. His kick took one bounce and sailed straight over the keeper's head and straight into the net.
The Gaffer was delighted with the improved performance and had this to say after the game: "Great team performance. A lot livelier all round. John Murphy's pace was a great addition up front. It was also great to see Spratt making his comeback though he was a bit rusty. The absent players will have to put in some extra training if they are to reclaim their places next week!"

Week 1: AA 0 Below Average Joes 6

Disaster!