Week 8: AA 6 Below Average Joes 1

Almaty Close Gap after Stunning Revenge Mission
Still bruised after last week’s narrow defeat to table toppers, Viscount, Almaty took the field against the only other team to defeat them in the opening round of games with revenge very much on their minds. Axel Foley returned to the squad after prolonged hamstring trouble to replace the injured Spratt. Apart from that the AA’s line out had a decidedly settled look about it; and it showed from the start. Below Average Joes, so fluid and quick in week one, were a shadow of the side that delivered that particular hammering. Or perhaps it was the case that AA, chastened from the defeat, have learned the lessons that were on offer.
Either way AA started well and were one up within 10 minutes as “Tricks” Galvin, in his first meaningful contribution, won the ball in midfield, broke away from a flat footed defense and slotted the ball past a hapless keeper. AA continued to press and doubled their advantage when a driven cross-field pass from Jimmy “Lamps” Butler found Gav “Crouchy” Jeffery, who controlled and finished brilliantly. With AA in control, and BAJs clearly rattled by their inability to respond, the game took a nasty turn as a self styled “Maradona” reacted badly to an Alex “Ballack” O’Donovan tackle. “Ballack”, on a warning for a previous misdemeanor, would spend five minutes in the bin for his latest offence. But nothing could excuse “Maradona’s” response as he senselessly lunged at “Ballack” with the shoulder. A disgraceful 12 man brawl ensued (actual punches: zero; actual soccer style “hold me back” histrionics: 12). With calm restored, both teams were reduced to 5 men for a five minute period. On another day though, “Maradona”, would have seen red, and in this regard referees must be given more leeway to use their common sense. What we need is consistency at the end of the day.
The second half began where the first had ended and it was no surprise when “Ballack” O’Donovan, back on the pitch after his part in the first half melee, added to his season’s tally with a deflected shot. A brief and uncharacteristic spot of lazy defending saw BAJ reduce the deficit to 3-1 but AA were not to be denied as they found another gear to comfortably put paid to any lingering BAJ hopes of an unlikely comeback. The fourth came from “Crouchy”, who finished superbly from a tight angle after the keeper had saved well from a powerful left footed drive from “Axel” Foley. “Lamps” Butler bagged the fifth form an even tighter angle after an elaborate free kick routine on the edge of the area saw “Tricks” dummy and “JT” Espey fire wide from the ensuing shot only to find “Lamps” in space on the end line. An excellent finish was marred for the second week running by a ridiculous celebration which saw “Lamps” skip, clap, and congratulate himself, in one horrifying moment of madness. As goal celebrations continue to spiral into the extravagant referees really will have to start clamping down on this sort of behaviour from such roll models.
A wonderful Zidane from “Tricks” saw him once again break away from a now dispirited BAJ defense. This time he released “Crouchy” who completed his hat-trick, and the rout, to make it 6-1.
AA spirits were lifted still further as news filtered through of a surprise defeat for Viscount. So the gap is now three and the probability of a final day showdown grows ever more likely. Hansen’s opening day of the season jibe that “you’ll never win anything with unfit overweight alcoholic granddads” is beginning to look more and more ridiculous with every passing game…