Report: FC Village 1 Universal Windows 4

A mass brawl in the opening stages marred this game and it was something the Village team never came to terms with as they lost their unbeaten home record. For this third home league match the Village lost Nick and Fordy from the back four and so they were replaced by Anthony and Harper. With Rutter ill, Knoxy and Stewy Morrell came in to the midfield five and this left Danny and Spud on the bench.

The game had only been going four minutes when there was an altercation between Stewy McIvor and one of the Universal players but whereas in most of these situations the players from both sides come in split things this didn’t happen this time. Not wanting to expand on things the outcome was that the ref eventually calmed everyone down and then sent off the two players originally involved and may have even taken the name of one of the spectators. The one thing that the ref did miss but was understandable amidst all the confusion did however affect some of the Village team and although this didn’t cost them the match it certainly didn’t help their cause. With both sides down to 10 men it opened the match up and the chances arrived for the two teams. However for the home side it wasn’t going to be their day and the usually reliable Maggot must have left his shooting boots at home because he had a couple of good openings but failed to find the net. Universal however found the Village in a generous mood on two occasions during the half and they scored twice to lead 2-0 at the interval. The Village now decided to make some changes as they replaced Lee and Harper with Spud and Danny and went 3-5-1 for the next forty five.

The second half was similar to that of the first with the Village creating the chances but not converting them and then came three crucial moments that defined the final outcome of the match. Firstly the home pulled a goal back when after a free kick was cleared away the ball was knocked back in to the area where Booey flicked it on for Paul Stewart to side foot home for his first goal for the club. Minutes later Universal were reduced to nine men when they had a second player sent off and finally Booey was put clean through but he lobbed his shot over the bar which summed up their day. Had that gone it the Village would have more than likely gone on and won the game but they fell apart for the last quarter and allowed the visitors to score from two more set pieces to give a final score line of 4-1 to Universal. Rather flattering but they took their chances unlike the Village but there was some good news for the home side as Danny put in an excellent 45 minutes in his first game.

Team Line-up

FC Village: Hill: Wilson(Jones), Morris, Stewart, Harper(Greenfield); Knox, McIvor, Easterbrook, Morrell, Kearney; Eaton
Subs not used: Doran

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