The 2010 F1 season finally got underway at Bahrain this Sunday. Five months of anticipation over. Drivers have changed teams, teams have changed owners, the points system has been revitalised, yet the nationality of the World Champion remains the same. But before the race could begin, viewers had to endure a terrible “man and machine” voice-over on the BBC before watching an uncomfortable interview with Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, informing the nation that their relationship was, quote by both men, “alright”. Then they answered questions posed by each other. Cringe. Don’t try too hard to show your “friendship” boys...
So, first things first, the teams. Obviously, there is a huge amount of hype about McLaren, a British team with the two latest World Champions, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. Will the infighting in that team mean that both drivers concentrate so much on beating the other “teammate” that they fail to focus their attention on actually beating the other 22 drivers on the circuit? The first few races are clearly going to be extremely important, establishing which driver will get the tactical nods towards the end of the 19 race season. Hamilton getting the first little victory, qualifying 4th on the grid, as opposed to Button’s 8th place start.
Mercedes provides the all German squad, with Nico Rosberg and returning, 41 year old, 7 time World Champion Michael Schumacher. Like Lance Armstrong in cycling, there is all the talk about Schumacher returning and winning, I find it highly unlikely. And I preferred Ralf. Ferrari have reliable Felipa Massa and feisty Fernando Alonso in their two seats in a bid to recreate former glory which they have seemed to lose since the departure of Schumacher. However, by far the most underrated pairing, and the most likeable, sees Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber remain at Red Bull Racing, with Vettel clinching the first pole of the season.
Lower down the gird, three new teams bring up the rear, with Lotus, Virgin and team Hispania being the new constructors for the 2010 season. Despite the point system going down to place 10 now, race finishes and not points is what these sides will be hoping to achieve on the 60th season of Formula 1. Yet, with Ayrton Senna’s nephew racing for Hispania, maybe we could dare to dream for a little bit more. Although, he starts his first race from the pit lane, so maybe not.
Finally though, after a classic Martin Blundle grid-walk, the formation lap was completed, the lights went from red to green and it was all go, go, go! Well, it seemed rather slow with those full fuel loads, but they did crawl off the grid. Webber at least provided a little excitement by blasting smoke into the face of cars behind him. By the end of lap one, there was very little change and Vettel was 2 seconds up on second place Alonso, leading Brundle to commentate that “it looks rather easy for Vettel”, exactly what you want to hear at the end of lap one on the first race of the season...
On lap 2, the first retirement, another outcome I failed to see coming. Rookie driver Chandhok hitting a bump he did not realise was there apparently, unfortunately for team Hispania. Lap 3 saw Nico Hulkenberg swing off for Williams, but the German kept his engine running and returned to the track just in time to watch driver Lucas di Grassi drive happily off for no apparent reason in his wing-mirrors.
The race then went from dull to tedious until lap 16 saw the first major incidents, the pit-stops. Hamilton and Schumacher both entered the pit lane together and, after only their tyres had changed, left to race in fresh air in the hope of passing a slow Rosberg when he enters the pit. Button and Rosberg dived into the pits one lap later, with Hamilton’s teammate preventing Rosberg from making a clean stop, allowing Hamilton to pass the German. And there was me thinking all the chat about preventing refuelling was to make passing during pit-stops a less likely option, meaning there would have to be more passing on the track. How foolish could I be to believe in such sentiments? Fortunately enough, I was prevented from feeling truly depressed due to my cynical disbelief that the pre-season talk was anything more than utter rubbish.
Lap 19 out of 49 saw the end of team Hispania’s race, when Bruno Senna retired after the driver suffered a panic attack upon the realisation that he had nearly made it 2/5ths of the way through the race. If only he had made one more lap. He later claimed a hydraulic failure but we know the truth. Still, at least he left at a time when it became boring once more, I had to endure watching the cars continually go around the track failing to gain on anyone or appear to do anything product whatsoever. But I am sure they were all preserving their tyres.
Half-way through and I have not even mentioned the likes of Renaults Robert Kubica, or Force Indias Vitantonio Liuzzi and Adrian Sutil. Having now pointed out that they remain with others in the race for mediocrity, we can move on. Current World Champion Button was doing a good job of proving emphatically that F1 is not about the driver, but about the car, by being stuck in 7th, merely one place above where he started an hour previously.
Lap 34 and disappointment occurred for all fans who do not like big egos, when leader Sebastian Vettel’s car became “sick”, according to Martin Blundle. The Ferraris caught up and passed with ease, giving them a comfortable one-two. The two McLarens, so quiet previously, both started to make a charge on the cars in front of them. Hamilton closed in on the Ferraris after passing Vettel who was suffering from a broken exhaust. Button was edging his way towards the back of a much more stable set of Mercedes cars.
Lap 49 eventually came and went with as much incident as the rest of the grand prix put together. Alonso won the first race of the season, with Massa creating a Ferrari one-two. Hamilton took the final podium position. Vettel held off a catching Rosberg to take 4th, with Schumacher, Button and Webber finishing 6th, 7th and 8th respectively. Liuzzi finished in 9th and Barrichello took the last point after coming in 10th.
So, the first race of the season is over, thankfully. Entertaining? No. Full of incidents? No. Over-taking only ever done due to the pit-stops? Yes. On more positive notes, both Lotus cars finished, even if one technically ran out of fuel half a lap from the end. Fernando Alonso is a whopping 7 points clear at the top, yet, if he does not do well next time that lead will evaporate quicker than the illusion that it attempts to create, that you need to win to pick up the big points. And my mother can turn up the sound because she likes the Italian national anthem. She’s lucky it is Mother’s Day.
Sunday 14 March 2010
Thursday 11 March 2010
Returns, Retirements and Takeovers
Training at Peffermill tonight was marred with fresh allegations amongst Edinburgh University players and representatives over potential changes to the running of the club this coming week. Current club captain, Darren Leslie, is one of a number of committee members who are rumoured to be on the move out of the Edinburgh University unit, with Nicky Ghamgosar being the bookies favourite to be leading the club come summer.
However, Ghamgosar is not an absolute definite for the role, with other names linked with the 3rd oldest club in Scottish football being former Leeds manager, Howard Wilkinson and recently unemployed, Sven-Goran Eriksson. If Ghamgosar does make the move though, he is likely to be joined by Benji Antoni, Mark Gair or Ruaridh Hamilton who are all linked with the vice-captaincy position.
Leslie and Archer have been running the club since taking over merely a year previously when ex-captain Steven Maxwell left to pursue a legal career. Yet, it appears that they may leave the club on the cusp of financial hardship, with e-mails being branded showing players owe the money-stricken Burgh over £4000 collectively. The potential tour of China has also had to be cancelled. As of yet, a protest scarf has not been produced, but that may be because of the lack of supporters the 4 University sides manage to attract to games.
On a happier note, the nights training saw the re-emergence of two committee members, Jordan Roberts and Tom Rhimes. Roberts has been out for over 4 months with a knee injury, using his time to venture to the cinema by himself and comb his hair. Roberts stated that “It is good to be back. I have missed the shower times after the games”.
Goalkeeper Rhimes, who also suffered a knee injury, attempted to make the British Olympic squad in Rowing with his time off. But having missed out he came back to the only sport that matters once his injury had subsided. “Yeah it is great to be back training with the lads” said Rhimes. “I heard Tom Agnew may be out after his 3 match ban comes through so thought I would return and get into form”.
On this night of busy activity, another announcement was made. Long serving, balding central midfielder Dave Meehan, who really does live up to the 2s nickname “Tombstone”, is retiring from football come the end of the season due to his inability to run anymore. The Irishman has been a great service to Edinburgh University and it is believed the club have respected this by organising a testimonial for the player which is to be played against Lancaster University next Thursday night. It is likely that other final year students will take the field with him before a night out with the player’s WAGS at Shanghai on George Street.
So, it appears that Edinburgh University Football Club may well look different come Monday evening, with an AGM being called to resolve the issue of who is going to represent the club on the committee and lead the University side to success in the coming year. Whoever is lucky enough to be granted the opportunity to be on the committee will be taking over one of the best group of lads in club football, and need to be prepared to handle the 40 boys who are eagerly booked on the tour to Magaluf in June. Imagine Sven on tour...
However, Ghamgosar is not an absolute definite for the role, with other names linked with the 3rd oldest club in Scottish football being former Leeds manager, Howard Wilkinson and recently unemployed, Sven-Goran Eriksson. If Ghamgosar does make the move though, he is likely to be joined by Benji Antoni, Mark Gair or Ruaridh Hamilton who are all linked with the vice-captaincy position.
Leslie and Archer have been running the club since taking over merely a year previously when ex-captain Steven Maxwell left to pursue a legal career. Yet, it appears that they may leave the club on the cusp of financial hardship, with e-mails being branded showing players owe the money-stricken Burgh over £4000 collectively. The potential tour of China has also had to be cancelled. As of yet, a protest scarf has not been produced, but that may be because of the lack of supporters the 4 University sides manage to attract to games.
On a happier note, the nights training saw the re-emergence of two committee members, Jordan Roberts and Tom Rhimes. Roberts has been out for over 4 months with a knee injury, using his time to venture to the cinema by himself and comb his hair. Roberts stated that “It is good to be back. I have missed the shower times after the games”.
Goalkeeper Rhimes, who also suffered a knee injury, attempted to make the British Olympic squad in Rowing with his time off. But having missed out he came back to the only sport that matters once his injury had subsided. “Yeah it is great to be back training with the lads” said Rhimes. “I heard Tom Agnew may be out after his 3 match ban comes through so thought I would return and get into form”.
On this night of busy activity, another announcement was made. Long serving, balding central midfielder Dave Meehan, who really does live up to the 2s nickname “Tombstone”, is retiring from football come the end of the season due to his inability to run anymore. The Irishman has been a great service to Edinburgh University and it is believed the club have respected this by organising a testimonial for the player which is to be played against Lancaster University next Thursday night. It is likely that other final year students will take the field with him before a night out with the player’s WAGS at Shanghai on George Street.
So, it appears that Edinburgh University Football Club may well look different come Monday evening, with an AGM being called to resolve the issue of who is going to represent the club on the committee and lead the University side to success in the coming year. Whoever is lucky enough to be granted the opportunity to be on the committee will be taking over one of the best group of lads in club football, and need to be prepared to handle the 40 boys who are eagerly booked on the tour to Magaluf in June. Imagine Sven on tour...
10 Men Aberdeen Make Final
Edinburgh University 2s have thrown away the opportunity of reaching the BUCS Cup final after a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Aberdeen 1s. For many of the boys who travelled to Keith Park, Aberdeen’s home pitch, this was a sad way to end 4 years of University BUSA and BUCS matches.
Burgh went into the game as champions having dominated the BUCS League and Cup the previous season, however, they faced a side who had taken four points off them already in this campaign. Uni had failed to even score in the two tight league matches that had been fought over this year, having lost 1-0 away and drawn the previous week at Peffermill 0-0.
Yet, it was Burgh who started the game strongly, easily containing any threat that their hosts had. Angus Ramsey and Alex Petrie were both seeing a lot of the ball on the wings, but they either found themselves up against a competent wing-back or failed to provide the killer ball.
25 minutes into the game and the breakthrough came when keeper Tom Agnew fired a huge goal-kick up the pitch. Player/Manager Calum Erskine took the ball down well and knocked it past a clumsy defender whose foot connected with Erskine’s body inside the area. The striker went down and a penalty was awarded. Benji Antoni stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way, putting the away side 1-0 up.
The rest of the half saw very little happen for either side. Ramsay and Antoni both managed to pick up a booking from a pernickety referee. Makeshift right-back Ed Senior, who had a solid performance, managed to force the Aberdeen number 9 into making a poor pass from what looked like a promising 2-on-1 break.
From the start of the second half, Burgh looked susceptible at the back. Aberdeen caused a few scares but poor frontplay by the home side saw no real chances materialise from good positions. The game then turned momentarily nasty. Erskine received a forceful high tackle inside his own half, and although Aberdeen’s central-midfielder was probably more over enthusiastic than vicious, he received a straight red card.
Being reduced to 10 men changed the whole complexion of the match. Aberdeen seemed invigorated, whilst Edinburgh appeared to believe that their 1-0 lead would suffice. Yet, this defensive attitude would prove to be fatal.
Before this though, Petrie received a knock to his ribs and so was replaced by the only substitute, Mario Velez. This was due to the large number of final year students who were unfortunately stuck in Edinburgh doing dissertation work, meaning that a limping Erskine had to struggle on. Senior did at one point break from right-back up the pitch before playing a ball out wide to Ramsay. Yet once more the Aberdeen right-back Ozzie, foiled any potential threat.
On 67 minutes Aberdeen drew level. After intercepting a ball played out to Ramsay deep in Burgh’s own half, the Deen right winger advanced down the line and crossed the ball low into the box. It by-passed all the Burgh defence before finding its way through to a late arriving left midfielder, who fired the ball into the net, sending the home fans in the stand wild.
5 minutes later and things were to get even better when a long ball forward was misjudged by centre-back Dan Paterson. The nippy number 9 ran onto the loose ball, and in an attempt to cover his defensive partner Tom Archer stuck out a leg sending the striker floorwards. The referee once more pointed to the spot and Ozzie stepped up to put the 10 men 2-1 up.
Burgh looked a beaten team at this point, and failed to rally any real insurmountable pressure on a well organised Aberdeen defence. Erskine did have one opportunity inside the area, but his snatched shot ricocheted wide off an advanced Stephen Kenny. Towards the end Burgh looked dejected and tired, possibly due to the surprising appearance of the sun upon Keith Park, but also possibly because the team had played 3 and a half hours of football at the weekend.
Yet, this is a poor excuse for losing to a side who managed to turn over a one goal deficit with only 10 men. Aberdeen simply looked like they wanted to reach the final in Dundee more, where they await either Napier or Abertay. It was a disappointing end to a BUCS season which held so much promise for the best second team in Scotland.
Burgh went into the game as champions having dominated the BUCS League and Cup the previous season, however, they faced a side who had taken four points off them already in this campaign. Uni had failed to even score in the two tight league matches that had been fought over this year, having lost 1-0 away and drawn the previous week at Peffermill 0-0.
Yet, it was Burgh who started the game strongly, easily containing any threat that their hosts had. Angus Ramsey and Alex Petrie were both seeing a lot of the ball on the wings, but they either found themselves up against a competent wing-back or failed to provide the killer ball.
25 minutes into the game and the breakthrough came when keeper Tom Agnew fired a huge goal-kick up the pitch. Player/Manager Calum Erskine took the ball down well and knocked it past a clumsy defender whose foot connected with Erskine’s body inside the area. The striker went down and a penalty was awarded. Benji Antoni stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way, putting the away side 1-0 up.
The rest of the half saw very little happen for either side. Ramsay and Antoni both managed to pick up a booking from a pernickety referee. Makeshift right-back Ed Senior, who had a solid performance, managed to force the Aberdeen number 9 into making a poor pass from what looked like a promising 2-on-1 break.
From the start of the second half, Burgh looked susceptible at the back. Aberdeen caused a few scares but poor frontplay by the home side saw no real chances materialise from good positions. The game then turned momentarily nasty. Erskine received a forceful high tackle inside his own half, and although Aberdeen’s central-midfielder was probably more over enthusiastic than vicious, he received a straight red card.
Being reduced to 10 men changed the whole complexion of the match. Aberdeen seemed invigorated, whilst Edinburgh appeared to believe that their 1-0 lead would suffice. Yet, this defensive attitude would prove to be fatal.
Before this though, Petrie received a knock to his ribs and so was replaced by the only substitute, Mario Velez. This was due to the large number of final year students who were unfortunately stuck in Edinburgh doing dissertation work, meaning that a limping Erskine had to struggle on. Senior did at one point break from right-back up the pitch before playing a ball out wide to Ramsay. Yet once more the Aberdeen right-back Ozzie, foiled any potential threat.
On 67 minutes Aberdeen drew level. After intercepting a ball played out to Ramsay deep in Burgh’s own half, the Deen right winger advanced down the line and crossed the ball low into the box. It by-passed all the Burgh defence before finding its way through to a late arriving left midfielder, who fired the ball into the net, sending the home fans in the stand wild.
5 minutes later and things were to get even better when a long ball forward was misjudged by centre-back Dan Paterson. The nippy number 9 ran onto the loose ball, and in an attempt to cover his defensive partner Tom Archer stuck out a leg sending the striker floorwards. The referee once more pointed to the spot and Ozzie stepped up to put the 10 men 2-1 up.
Burgh looked a beaten team at this point, and failed to rally any real insurmountable pressure on a well organised Aberdeen defence. Erskine did have one opportunity inside the area, but his snatched shot ricocheted wide off an advanced Stephen Kenny. Towards the end Burgh looked dejected and tired, possibly due to the surprising appearance of the sun upon Keith Park, but also possibly because the team had played 3 and a half hours of football at the weekend.
Yet, this is a poor excuse for losing to a side who managed to turn over a one goal deficit with only 10 men. Aberdeen simply looked like they wanted to reach the final in Dundee more, where they await either Napier or Abertay. It was a disappointing end to a BUCS season which held so much promise for the best second team in Scotland.
Sunday 7 March 2010
Strikes Lighten Up Dull Game
Edinburgh University 2s have ended their BUCS league campaign sitting 5 points clear at the top of the table after their comeback against RGU at Peffermill. Burgh are relying on Aberdeen 1s to slip up in their next two games to hopefully retain the title they won last season. However, the side needed to battle to give their title hopes the best possible chance.
RGU came down from Aberdeen with only 11 men, even though they are attempting to avoid being relegated to the 3rd tier of the BUCS leagues. Yet, it was they that started the game the stronger, maybe due to the 120minutes Burgh had played the day before in the Challenge Cup. Burgh struggled to get into the game, with many players looking jaded, playing tired passes that commonly went astray.
The match was going nowhere until the first of 3 exquisite strikes put the team in purple 1-0 up. The ball was poorly cleared from the Edinburgh box and the ginger central midfield player was on-hand to volley the ball home from the edge of the area. Agnew could only stand and stare as the ball sailed home.
You would imagine that going 1-0 behind, denting Burgh’s title chances even more, would spark some life into the home side, yet the RGU keeper failed to be tested before the end of the first half causing a fiery half-time teamtalk during the interval.
After the break, Edinburgh once more failed to get into the game, and calls for the bench to warm-up were made. However, a moment of inspiration from Benji Antoni saw Burgh draw level. The ball was put into the RGU box, but cleared only as far as Antoni, who collected the ball and fired it into the bottom right-hand corner.
Only 2 minutes later and Burgh were 2-1 up. Dave Meehan hassled the defender in the top corner of the pitch, retrieving the ball and setting up a galloping Dan Paterson to swing in the cross, which Erskine met with a fine header. This effectively finished the match, against a team who looked mildly interested for the most part of the game.
Mario Velez then put the game beyond doubt with a volley that rocketed into the roof of the goal from a tight angle. More goals should have been added, but Velez, after running through the RGU defence placed a tame shot at the keeper. Erskine also put the ball wide from 6 yards out and chipped the ball wide when 1-on-1 with the RGU goalie.
Craig Robertson and Fraser Morrison entered the field to provide fresh legs. Kyle O’Neill also came on, but after his 3 yard open goal miss from the match before, the striker found it no easier to score when 4 yards out. But at least a defender made a good last ditch block to prevent the ball from going over the line on this attempt.
Late on RGU were awarded a penalty when Tom Archer brought down the striker in the area, but keeper Tom Agnew was on-hand to save his 3rd out of 5 penalties this season. Although, centre-back Darren Leslie (who ending up facing 6 penalties yesterday after Agnew was sent off) managed to save 4, so maybe this says more about player’s lack of ability to take a penalty and not the keeper’s brilliance at saving them.
The game ended 3-1 to the home side, who eventually gained a comfortable victory over the bottom of the table team. Now all they can do is sit and await the Aberdeen results to see if their efforts this season have been enough to win the league for the second year running.
RGU came down from Aberdeen with only 11 men, even though they are attempting to avoid being relegated to the 3rd tier of the BUCS leagues. Yet, it was they that started the game the stronger, maybe due to the 120minutes Burgh had played the day before in the Challenge Cup. Burgh struggled to get into the game, with many players looking jaded, playing tired passes that commonly went astray.
The match was going nowhere until the first of 3 exquisite strikes put the team in purple 1-0 up. The ball was poorly cleared from the Edinburgh box and the ginger central midfield player was on-hand to volley the ball home from the edge of the area. Agnew could only stand and stare as the ball sailed home.
You would imagine that going 1-0 behind, denting Burgh’s title chances even more, would spark some life into the home side, yet the RGU keeper failed to be tested before the end of the first half causing a fiery half-time teamtalk during the interval.
After the break, Edinburgh once more failed to get into the game, and calls for the bench to warm-up were made. However, a moment of inspiration from Benji Antoni saw Burgh draw level. The ball was put into the RGU box, but cleared only as far as Antoni, who collected the ball and fired it into the bottom right-hand corner.
Only 2 minutes later and Burgh were 2-1 up. Dave Meehan hassled the defender in the top corner of the pitch, retrieving the ball and setting up a galloping Dan Paterson to swing in the cross, which Erskine met with a fine header. This effectively finished the match, against a team who looked mildly interested for the most part of the game.
Mario Velez then put the game beyond doubt with a volley that rocketed into the roof of the goal from a tight angle. More goals should have been added, but Velez, after running through the RGU defence placed a tame shot at the keeper. Erskine also put the ball wide from 6 yards out and chipped the ball wide when 1-on-1 with the RGU goalie.
Craig Robertson and Fraser Morrison entered the field to provide fresh legs. Kyle O’Neill also came on, but after his 3 yard open goal miss from the match before, the striker found it no easier to score when 4 yards out. But at least a defender made a good last ditch block to prevent the ball from going over the line on this attempt.
Late on RGU were awarded a penalty when Tom Archer brought down the striker in the area, but keeper Tom Agnew was on-hand to save his 3rd out of 5 penalties this season. Although, centre-back Darren Leslie (who ending up facing 6 penalties yesterday after Agnew was sent off) managed to save 4, so maybe this says more about player’s lack of ability to take a penalty and not the keeper’s brilliance at saving them.
The game ended 3-1 to the home side, who eventually gained a comfortable victory over the bottom of the table team. Now all they can do is sit and await the Aberdeen results to see if their efforts this season have been enough to win the league for the second year running.
Saturday 6 March 2010
Stalemate Leaves Burgh Hanging
Peffermill witnessed a top-of-the-table clash between Aberdeen 1s and Edinburgh 2s on a bright Wednesday afternoon. Burgh topped the table by two points prior to their encounter, Aberdeen however, have a game in hand over their southern opponents meaning that whoever won had the league title practically in their grasp. Yet, the game left much to be desired both in deciding the final outcome of the table and on the pitch.
Aberdeen had clinched an all important late winner up in the Deen to beat a more fluid Burgh side, enabling them to settle for a draw on the return trip. But it was not that the team in blue set-up for a draw, it was just that they never could create anything against a solid Burgh defence. The partnership of Paterson and Archer has been strong all season, combined with efficient wing-backs Ghamgosar and Senior.
Paterson showed his defensive prowess when the Deen striker went through on-gaol. Yet, despite the frontman’s 3 yard start, from a debatable offside position, Paterson used his extra speed and strength to summon up a last ditch tackle to prevent any strike on goal. Any long balls that came forward after this, Archer cleared up with his head.
Going forward, on the other hand, Burgh struggled to get into the match, with strikers Velez and O’Neill playing too far apart, stifling any potential link-up play. Wingers Antoni and Kenny also failed to make an impact on a dogged pitch which prevented running with the ball. The midfield pair of Meehan and Sime coped well with their defensive duties, but could not provide the spark needed to break through a strong Aberdeen defence.
After half an hour, the game threatened to liven-up a little, when the blonde-curly haired, central midfielder from Aberdeen broke fast from the edge of his own box. However, Ed Senior has not picked up the “dirtiest player in the 2s” reputation without a few bookings, and the left-back was only to enhance this stigma by applying a nonchalant body check to the advancing Aberdonian. Senior awaited his yellow card but achieved what he set out to do and prevented any attack causing any real damage to the Burgh scoreline.
Paterson then made an uncharacteristic mistake, providing a short header back to keeper Agnew. The striker from Aberdeen nipped in but his shot emulated the game, full of potential but no end product, and poked his shot wide of the post.
The second half commenced in much the same way, with both sides cancelling each other out. Archer was at one point caught on the ball, but once more the Aberdeen number 9 failed to capitalise on the mistake and shot wide.
Stand-in manager Scott MacFarlane, brought on the changes in an attempt to provide some quality into the match. Yet, Alex Maxwell, in an unfamiliar striker role, failed to get into the match. Angus Ramsey and Fraser Morrison also came on, but neither player had time to make the required impact. This was Morrison’s first game back for the 2s after being sidelined for 6 months, one of the few positives the Burgh side could take from the game.
The match finally was ended by the referee leaving Burgh now awaiting the results of Aberdeen’s last two games against Dundee and Napier to see if there is still any chance of the BUCS league title for the second year running. Burgh must see off RGU first though this coming Sunday, before they travel up to Aberdeen 1s on Wednesday to face the side in the BUCS semi-final. Let’s just hope that game is more exciting, but at least if it isn’t, penalties will decide the affair.
Aberdeen had clinched an all important late winner up in the Deen to beat a more fluid Burgh side, enabling them to settle for a draw on the return trip. But it was not that the team in blue set-up for a draw, it was just that they never could create anything against a solid Burgh defence. The partnership of Paterson and Archer has been strong all season, combined with efficient wing-backs Ghamgosar and Senior.
Paterson showed his defensive prowess when the Deen striker went through on-gaol. Yet, despite the frontman’s 3 yard start, from a debatable offside position, Paterson used his extra speed and strength to summon up a last ditch tackle to prevent any strike on goal. Any long balls that came forward after this, Archer cleared up with his head.
Going forward, on the other hand, Burgh struggled to get into the match, with strikers Velez and O’Neill playing too far apart, stifling any potential link-up play. Wingers Antoni and Kenny also failed to make an impact on a dogged pitch which prevented running with the ball. The midfield pair of Meehan and Sime coped well with their defensive duties, but could not provide the spark needed to break through a strong Aberdeen defence.
After half an hour, the game threatened to liven-up a little, when the blonde-curly haired, central midfielder from Aberdeen broke fast from the edge of his own box. However, Ed Senior has not picked up the “dirtiest player in the 2s” reputation without a few bookings, and the left-back was only to enhance this stigma by applying a nonchalant body check to the advancing Aberdonian. Senior awaited his yellow card but achieved what he set out to do and prevented any attack causing any real damage to the Burgh scoreline.
Paterson then made an uncharacteristic mistake, providing a short header back to keeper Agnew. The striker from Aberdeen nipped in but his shot emulated the game, full of potential but no end product, and poked his shot wide of the post.
The second half commenced in much the same way, with both sides cancelling each other out. Archer was at one point caught on the ball, but once more the Aberdeen number 9 failed to capitalise on the mistake and shot wide.
Stand-in manager Scott MacFarlane, brought on the changes in an attempt to provide some quality into the match. Yet, Alex Maxwell, in an unfamiliar striker role, failed to get into the match. Angus Ramsey and Fraser Morrison also came on, but neither player had time to make the required impact. This was Morrison’s first game back for the 2s after being sidelined for 6 months, one of the few positives the Burgh side could take from the game.
The match finally was ended by the referee leaving Burgh now awaiting the results of Aberdeen’s last two games against Dundee and Napier to see if there is still any chance of the BUCS league title for the second year running. Burgh must see off RGU first though this coming Sunday, before they travel up to Aberdeen 1s on Wednesday to face the side in the BUCS semi-final. Let’s just hope that game is more exciting, but at least if it isn’t, penalties will decide the affair.
Tuesday 2 March 2010
Bridge Over Terry Waters
So, you have all been requesting a take on the affair which has grasped a nation of footballer fans. A nation disgraced in ways no-one would have believed. First by their football captain. Then by their international left-back. And now by the fact that the male population seems to be infused in a topic usually only ever covered by “Heat” magazine. Not that I ever stoop that low and actually read it... However, it appears that I cannot evade the issue any longer.
Bridge and Terry are both extremely well-paid England International football stars. Bridge was best-man for John Terry at his wedding. Terry himself won “Dad of the Year” last year, beating my own Dad who came a close second, 3rd was Robert Mugabe (but that may have been slightly rigged). Both gentlemen appear to have everything, including very attractive WAGS.
Now, call me cynical, but I have seen better looking objects stuffed at the Natural History Museum then both Terry and Bridge. As for their brains, “stuffed” does not do them justice, empty does. One of the first things you ever learn at secondary school is that the most “attractive” girl in the year is undoubtedly a canine of the female variety. The one problem with being such a good footballer though, is that neither Terry nor Bridge will have attended much of secondary school, therefore meaning that neither man ever studied integration or differentiation.
This fundamental lack of education, not necessarily of the maths kind, basically means footballers generally choose the most attractive girl that happens to “fail” to realise that the unattractive, badly educated man they are “chatting-up”, is actually a loaded footballer. Money and fame is all that these girls want, their ability to get it in any way possible rivals those of the characters in the musical Chicago. And after seeing the result from the Tiger Woods saga, it seems only natural that even Bridge’s girl, after a quick whip-round, would be able to add her brain cells together and reach the conclusion that she could sell her story to the paper and achieve the second of her lifetime ambitions. Her parents must be so proud.
However, maybe I am wrong. Everyone makes mistakes. Terry made plenty at the weekend against Man City for instance. As for Bridge he has gone off in a huff and retired from the English national team, but really it is because he knows Ashley Cole will play ahead of him anyway. Who coincidentally, has managed to lose an attractive, faithful wife whose one fault is that she cannot pronounce “L-Oreal, because we’re worth it” with any class. And I thought my blunder of having a Big Mac for breakfast was bad.
So, where does England go from here? Terry has naturally been stripped of the captaincy, yet something I personally find utterly bewildering, is that his replacement is Rio Ferdinand. At least Terry made his slip-up outside the realms of football; Rio “unfortunately” missed a drugs test, something that directly affects the sport as a whole. Other candidates were Gerrard, only recently cleared by the court on suspicion of assault, and inform, granny loving Wayne Rooney, who is also currently attending court for monetary reasons. So, evidentially the only real solution is to make Saint David Beckham the captain once more. No-one even remembers Rebecca Loos.
Bridge and Terry are both extremely well-paid England International football stars. Bridge was best-man for John Terry at his wedding. Terry himself won “Dad of the Year” last year, beating my own Dad who came a close second, 3rd was Robert Mugabe (but that may have been slightly rigged). Both gentlemen appear to have everything, including very attractive WAGS.
Now, call me cynical, but I have seen better looking objects stuffed at the Natural History Museum then both Terry and Bridge. As for their brains, “stuffed” does not do them justice, empty does. One of the first things you ever learn at secondary school is that the most “attractive” girl in the year is undoubtedly a canine of the female variety. The one problem with being such a good footballer though, is that neither Terry nor Bridge will have attended much of secondary school, therefore meaning that neither man ever studied integration or differentiation.
This fundamental lack of education, not necessarily of the maths kind, basically means footballers generally choose the most attractive girl that happens to “fail” to realise that the unattractive, badly educated man they are “chatting-up”, is actually a loaded footballer. Money and fame is all that these girls want, their ability to get it in any way possible rivals those of the characters in the musical Chicago. And after seeing the result from the Tiger Woods saga, it seems only natural that even Bridge’s girl, after a quick whip-round, would be able to add her brain cells together and reach the conclusion that she could sell her story to the paper and achieve the second of her lifetime ambitions. Her parents must be so proud.
However, maybe I am wrong. Everyone makes mistakes. Terry made plenty at the weekend against Man City for instance. As for Bridge he has gone off in a huff and retired from the English national team, but really it is because he knows Ashley Cole will play ahead of him anyway. Who coincidentally, has managed to lose an attractive, faithful wife whose one fault is that she cannot pronounce “L-Oreal, because we’re worth it” with any class. And I thought my blunder of having a Big Mac for breakfast was bad.
So, where does England go from here? Terry has naturally been stripped of the captaincy, yet something I personally find utterly bewildering, is that his replacement is Rio Ferdinand. At least Terry made his slip-up outside the realms of football; Rio “unfortunately” missed a drugs test, something that directly affects the sport as a whole. Other candidates were Gerrard, only recently cleared by the court on suspicion of assault, and inform, granny loving Wayne Rooney, who is also currently attending court for monetary reasons. So, evidentially the only real solution is to make Saint David Beckham the captain once more. No-one even remembers Rebecca Loos.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)