Week 1: Almaty Athletic 6 Fuzzball FC 1

Almaty Athletic Squad v Fuzzball FC, sporting our rarely-seen Third Kit...
(minus Gaffer who took the pic)

After last year’s disastrous start to the season, Almaty were desperate to hit the ground running in their opening game of the new season against Fuzzball FC. However, the nerves got the better of the players in the first 10 mins as they failed to find their rhythm. Fuzzball created a few half-chances but were unable to find the back of the net. James “Seth” G, who had started on the bench, was brought on and provided the spark to ignite the team. Gav bagged a quick-fire brace, and this was followed up with a rare right-footed goal by “Seth”.

The only other notably incident of the first half was bizarre encounter between a Fuzzball player and the ref in which the ref squared up to the player and invited him “to have a go”!

Half Time: 3-0



With a three goal cushion it was decided to give “Safehands” a chance to prove his worth outfield. He silenced his critics on the 45th min when he slotted home to make it 4-0 after a great reverse pass, again with the right foot, from “Seth”.

Not to be outdone by his great rival, Jim “Lamps” Butler made it five when he buried a shot from a tight angle, after great work by Gav to draw the defence away and then find the pass.

Fuzzball’s pacy striker troubled the Almaty defence and was unlucky not to open their scoring when his shot rebounded back off the stanchion. However, Almaty striker “Crouchy” laid down his marker for the Top Scorer award by wrapping up his hat-trick with a determined finish, despite claims of handball from the opposition. They were clearly still afraid of the ref so their protests were a bit more muted this time!

Fuzzball got a late consolation goal when their pacy striker skipped by a few players and rifled it home past “Safehands” (who had resumed his normal station).

Almaty could have had more with both “Crouchy” and “Lamps” hitting the post in the second half, as did Philly Smith in the first.

The gloss was taken off the victory as it emerged late last night that Alex "True Blue" O'Donovan had suffered a knee injury. It is uncertain how long the injury will keep him sidelined for.

Oh yeah, and Citco lost. Heh heh heh...

Man of the match: Phil Smith (notable mention to Gav for the hat-trick and JamesG for assists and a goal)
Goal of the game: They were all good, except Gav's 3rd!