Galacticos 3-5 Dulwich 03/22/2010
 ...............................................................Neil ………................................................. Santi……………………..….Dean……………………….Harry…….………..…….Pete Luke…..............................Mikey………………..…….Andrew………….........Danielle ………………………………Andrey……………………..Rodi……………………………… “Well, y’know, at the end of the day the boys done well. Credit to the other lads, really was a game of two halves” – Neil O’Maonaigh-Lennon Conventional wisdom tells us that “football is a game of two halves”. This theory has been contested by Mathematicians at Lancaster University using software pioneered by the Russian Markov in the 1920s. Though the theory of the Lancaster boffins contests that football is in fact a game of “a four state, log linear, Markov process”, today’s evidence firmly corroborates the commonly held original hypothesis. The game was played on a beautiful Sunday, light breeze and beating sun galore. Yet once more the Galacticos lineup saw itself devoid of its core. The once talismanic, now enigmatic pairing of Captain Kelly and Podcast Phil lay curled up, sleeping off their birthday blues whilst the rest of the squad fought bravely to uphold the honour of the club. Both players have each missed 2/3 of the last Galacticos games. Sources close to the club are beginning to question the commitment of the individuals who were once revered by supporters as the fulcrum of the side. Perhaps with the next game being the defence of a two year cup run we could expect them to return to the pitch as pride and a place in the Cup final await. For those who did attend fought with a magnificent, and for the first half, unprecedented gusto. First McMillen beautifully played through Ortiz minor and the youngster cooly rounded the keeper and slotted the ball into the net. Then some slick passing and a snappy one two in the box left Luke to tee up Andrew on the edge of the area. Though unable to direct his shot, the American, as his nation are famed for, used all of his force to achieve his goal, powering the ball over the hapless keeper’s head. Yet despite Chinese New Year being now a distant memory, for Ronaldanielle the fireworks had only just begun. Having earned a foul 30 yards from goal, the Aussie fought off the hoard of hyenas vying for an opportunity to strike at goal. Then with graceful class and control, rarely seen even amongst the ranks of the Galacticos, she stepped up and sent a curling shot round the wall and into the far top right hand corner of the goal. Wheeling round with a smile from eye to eye, spectators and players were reported to hear her remark “Ah lav that engul” before accepting the congratulations of her team. With the team 3-0 up and the defensive pairing of Cutler and debutant Dean proving as impregnable as the Great Wall, the game seemed dead and buried before half time. Sadly they were only a mere Maginot Line. The great battle strategist Sun Tzu wrote “Opportunities multiply as they are seized”. So Dulwich set out to wage war. Setting out with a far more physical approach a few bookings led to irritation amongst the Galacticos. The once gold and glad turned black and blue beneath the torrent of late tackles and it was not long before the Galacticos hit back. Only sadly we were seen. In the box. Penalty. 3-1. The first opportunity seized... The score remained the same till half time and the trooped off at half time still smiles and head high in buoyant mood. -Half Time Galacticos 3-1 Dulwich- Perhaps it was the beating sun, fatigue from the pre-match party or downright exhaustion on the part of Mikey and Neil (Mr. Incredible and Haibao) who had completed an 8k run that very morning. Nevertheless after the break the mantra came into play. Dulwich were changed and the momentum they carried from the end of the first half transcended new heights in the 2nd. The Ardennes had been found and the wall was left firm but powerless to defend, the Dulwich Panzers spearheaded by a strong surging number 8 overhauled the deficit and left Los Galacticos 5-3 down. How now the players wished they were still curled up with Boyle and Kelly in bed (non-homoerotically). Unfortunately unlike at the Bulge, the counter offensive failed. Well played to Dulwich for their spirit and the comeback which could have been far greater had it not been for the heroics of keeper Neil. It is a shame though that their very good play was undermined by what may be called banter, but is borderline bullying, especially towards the younger Galacticos members. From teachers of all people! This was underlined by a red card for a 2nd bookable offense for the right winger, who otherwise played very well. It is hoped that when the sides meet in the Cup, the game will be played with less animosity and antagonism. Well played to both sides and great post match Latina (“the best South-American grill in town”). Credit must go to Man of the Match Dean, who produced a sterling performance at centre back. The Galacticos will be looking to reverse the result in the same fixture in two weeks time for a place in the Cup final. It is thought Boyle and Kelly will be fit. Title Text.5 Comments Galacticos 1-8 Japan 03/15/2010
 "A Mickey Mouse Team with a complete clown" Pictured left to right: Mike, Ned, Neil, M.Mouse esq, Bobo, Mikey, Harry, Luke, Andy in Latina "the best Latin American grill/piss up junction in Shanghai" Team: ................................…......Neil (replaced by Michael Uidam)…………………........... Santi……………………..….Tony……………………….Paco…….…………….Danielle Harry…………………………Mikey…………………….Andrew……………….Luke ………………………………Andrea……………………..Ned……………………………… “We took our 8-1 spanking like men”-Ned Kelly Football has no place for wimps! With the 9am alarms accompanying the pitter patter outside, it was only the true men/woman (let’s not be sexist now) with gumption enough to grace the pitch. Sadly Phil Boyle and Peter Robinson were not amongst these men having perhaps taken the concept of champagne football too literally. Shame on them! However the other 13 team members of the mighty Galacticos can hold their heads high. Pitting themselves against a fluent Japan team, who played with an electric pace and deadly precision, many may have been questioning why they too didn’t just stay in bed this morning feeling sorry for themselves. An experienced centre half pairing of Paco and Tony proved no match for the speed and silky skills of the Japan front line. Although they may have that extra second in their head, they would need at least seven to keep up with these guys. Six nil down at half time was very flattering though and true to the Galacticos spirit, we came out fighting in the second half. The Galacticos response sent Japan on the back foot. With some neat passing and moving we took the game to Japan and it eventually paid off. Good work down the left from Andrea and Luke allowed Ned to creep into the box unmarked and cooly finish off the cross which curled into the side netting, a true fox in the box. Japan’s pace was still causing problems however the introduction of debutee Michael Uidam (Father of Danielle) in between the posts, allowed O’Maonaigh-Lennon to command the defence, limiting their opportunities and bestowing the Galacticos with a base from which to assert themselves. As the great Paul “Bear” Bryant Jr. once said: “defense wins championships”. However, Japan remained resilient and the game finished 8-1 to Japan and in true Galacticos fashion, the result was soon forgotten as the beer started to flow as we replenished our shattered bodies at Latina’s, to ease the thought of those Monday morning aches. Although it was debated whether we would “take a bullet for our Mothers,” with today being Mothering Sunday, Galacticos proved that they would not lie down and that Galacticos Mothers is far more worthy (and were not just saying that because we completely forgot it was Mothering Sunday and didn’t get you a present). -Mikey (edit Pete) It's a rollover! 03/10/2010
 Unfortunately Dulwich were too scared to lose in the rain so Los Galacticos left the champagne on ice for another week. Though perhaps a letdown for those expecting a great game of footie, the Irishman’s fortune cookie (commonly known as Guiness) predicts a positive future for the Green and Gold: “Good things come to those who wait”. |  About:"A drinking team with a footballing problem" - esteemed captain Ned kelly ArchivesMay 2010 Categories |
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