Point-to-Point 2 v 2 Bevendean Athletic (1-1)
Line-up: Tom; Sam, Ryan (Paul B), Paul, Dave (Rich); Nick M, Chris S (Mike), Matt, Joe, Chris P; Tom
MOM: tbc
Dave Scurr, 2nd October, Preston Park
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Point-to-Point's first home game of the season was a forgettable experience and served as a reminder that there is a long way to go if they are to challenge for promotion in an apparently weak division 2. On paper, two teams with two wins out of two, best attack versus best defence and, potentially chunkiest versus slimmest personnel, had the makings of a Sunday League classic - well, until the football started.
The pre-match rituals has an air of pre-season frolicking; with Captain Searle spotted trying to break into Sports Direct in town 30 minutes before kick-off (his football boots having gone AWOL), the rest of the team had time to complain about various niggles, talk about the weather and cool down before kick-off in semi-naked fashion.
Despite the relaxed vibe associated with a hot sunny Sunday, the home team started brightly letting the ball do the running and Bevendean Athletic do the talking to the referee. In the first 10 minutes, Point probably managed more passes than in the remaining 80 minutes and deservedly took the lead through an absolute thunderbolt from Captain Searle, this time spotted on the pitch donning football socks and boots and all; he latched onto a loose ball from just outside the area and sent it flying into the top left corner. Brilliant strike. The momentum was clearly yellow and blue, Bevendean Athletic failing to cope with the opening exchanges and the new-found triangular shapes showcased by Point's midfield and full-backs.
Their best chance of the half fell to sweaty Dave, playing as an attacking full back, and failing to convert a chance which would have rivalled Searle's opener as goal of the month; he picked up a clearance from a corner, skipped through a crowd of Bevendean players, only to throw a tame effort at the goalmouth once clear on goal. Bevendean's sole contribution to the game so far was sending out long balls to their Guti-like striker which Ryan, Paul and Sam dealt with comfortably.
Unfortunately for the home side, things soon fell apart from then on as Bevendean won a corner and took advantage of a bad mix up between keeper Tom and Ryan as they failed to clear, slotting home the easiest goal they will score this season. This sparked a sequence of unfortunate events for Point having to reshuffle their line-up on various occasions due to injuries to Searle and Dave coming off in quick succession (and replaced by Mike and Rich respectively). Bevendean grew in confidence and saw more of the play as Point failed to recover from their opportunistic equaliser and they managed to take the lead via the penalty spot following a clumsy challenge from one of Point's defenders. With Point rattled and feeling the heat, they had to rely not for the first time on a couple of acrobatic saves from Tom who gave them a lifeline. Indeed, against the run of play, Bevendean's goalkeeper returned Point's first half favour by gifting them a goal; he failed to deal with an incoming ball and Rich was able to pounce onto it.
A seemingly Sunday morning stroll in the park became more of a laborious marathon when Ryan also had to come off injured and Rich was forced to play on with a calf injury...despite their misfortunes, three old pros were able to show off their naked torsos in front of Bevendean's wags who were providing most of the morning entertainment on the touchline. Bevendean ended the game as they started, shouting at the referee in unison as their striker was clearly caught offside; Point ended the game scraping a point in lacklustre fashion with a quarter of the team injured.
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