Kennington Park
During a blusterous dark night in Kennington Park, the much anticipated 2nd leg of Dare’s FC latest football outing was decided thanks to ambitious forward Phil Wright and his 2nd half wonder goal - delivering a second successive knockout to the Upper Levels in the space of just two weeks.
The thinking-man’s Gascoigne was in good form last night, as Wright’s clever turns and use of space were the highlights of what was a scrappy tense affair to begin. The first half remained bleak throughout, the mood matching the weather well, with the dark windy conditions. Each team we’re sporting new signings after their previous encounter, and this proved evident as both squads were slow in forming any kind of break thorough early on.
Caco Vaccaro, the new much talked about Brazilian signing, enjoyed his first outing for the basement squad; and after a nervy 15 minute period of adjustment to the English game, the tricky Brazilian shone – answering most of his critics that he might be past his best after his disappointing World Cup campaign last summer. In all black, and just as deadly, the influential midfielder was the first to strike successfully at goal, with a decent effort narrowly screwing past the top-corner of the Upper Levels’ goal.
With Captain Green keeping things steady at the back, the game headed to a frustrating goalless draw at halftime. The teams quickly exchanged halves, and the wind would now favour the Upper Levels. Would this be the turning point?
Both teams remained surprisingly unchanged after the interval, and the welcome first breakthrough came with the determined Kit Suman finishing an assist from the new Brazilian Caco, after a scrappy clearance from new Spanish signing Dave Boleas.
The goal seemed to act against the Basement and was the perfect tonic to wake-up the disappointing Upper Level squad, who soon responded with a range of direct passes down the right flank from Stu Peddie - neatly ending with Greg Sines scoring with a convincing low drive. With the game nearing an end and heading for luckless draw, the Upper Levels pushed further forward ruthlessly in hope of sneaking a second decisive goal.
Peddie had rediscovered his form after his blunders in the previous game, and was spreading the ball with ease – linking impressively with both the two wide men Captain Firth and the Spaniard Eduardo. However, the Basement squad we’re able to counter this move, and having been impressive all season on the counter-attack, a fantastic individual effort from Wright was to win the game for mighty Basement.
Having received the ball outside the Upper Levels’ area thanks to important tackle from Kooch, the Brazilian Vaccaro was able to find Wright neatly hovering with intention. Once the tenacious Wright received the ball he was able to turn Leijon and Ashley with a delightful change of direction and finally capped the move with cool finish into the low-right corner - below the normally reliable hands of keeper Will Rose. Phil went on to celebrate his goal in his usual cool reserved style of simply raising one finger to the sky, as he was paraded by his fellow successful Basement team mates.
With the game won, and the next party of people looking anxious, the Basement celebrated a second successive victory - increasing their dominance further, and adding yet more pressure to Captain Firth and his underachieving Upper Levels squad.
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Basement Captain Jamie Green:
"The goal deserved to win any game and I can't wait to see Phil score another like that. Also Caco and Kit bring world-class quality and I believe they’ll show that all through the season.
"We've got a pretty good record against the Upper Levels and we'll be looking forward to the next game and hoping to do well."
Upper Levels Captain Firth:
"We were never under pressure and we had lots of chances to score, but we didn't take them.
"It's difficult to take over the two games. We needed to be ruthless, but we were also bit unlucky over the two matches with decisions.
"With Eduardo’s trip in the first half it looked a clear penalty."
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Basement
9 - Caco
8 - Jamie (c)
8 - Kit
10 - Phil Wright
7 - Dan Vaughan
7 - Amy Whittaker
8 - Kooch
7 - Matt Collins
Booked:
Collins (for mocking his captain).
Goals:
Suman, Wright.
Upper Levels
7 - Firth (c)
6 - Stenzhorn
7 - Peddie
8 - Sines
7 - Leijon
7 - Eduardo
6 - Elliot
7 - Boleas
6 - Ashley
Goals:
Sines
Att: 17.
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