All-Stars Grind out a Star Performance

The game began with both teams needing a win to elevate themselves from the foot of the table, both having lost their first matches embarrassingly by 6 goals each. Teletekkers looked full of confidence and promise, they arrived with a full squad and an impressive new blood-red kit. It was indicative of the blood, sweat and tears that would soon be shed during what turned out to be a frantic game.

All-Stars arrived 3 men down, but what they lacked in quantity they made up in quality as, arguably, they fielded their strongest squad to date. Meyer made his first appearance for the club looking to impress the home fans after a free signing from the South African Team, "Meyers of Joberg".

Within seconds of the first whistle Tekkers were one up, a cracking low strike from Rikesh made All-Star faces as red as their opponents jerseys. However it wasn't long until Welsh International, Andrew Thomas muscled his way through the complacent Tekkers defence to nab an equaliser. For the rest of the half Tekkers were all over All-stars like a violent, red rash; body checking and pin-point passing their way into the All-Stars half with ease. Kemp became an instant irritant for All-Stars, constantly losing his marker and unselfishly setting up chance after chance for his team mates.

Blaney and Reid looked charged for the first 10 minutes, being unlucky not to convert a number of shots, but it was Rikesh that stole the show, finding gaps in the All-Stars midfield and punishing the opposition every time an opening was given.

The inevitable second goal, scored by Blaney, was contentious, with many All-stars players clasping their hands to their faces in disbelief that the goal, struck from inside the area, was allowed. Referee, and full-time giant, McSweeney maintained he had the best aerial view of the goal (which could not be argued with) and the goal stood. 2-1 the Tekkers. It came to light after the game that Eves would be fined a cup of coffee by the BFA for his post-match comments on the quality of the refereeing.

Patel was the star of the first half. Between him, Reid and Blaney they passed the ball effortlessly, tiring All-Stars to the point that they were subbing every 3-4 minutes. Gwatkin, Rambo and Nicely were the stalwarts in defence ensuring that Bembey was kept on a short leash.

The blue's equalised after a physical battle in mid-field, Callander breaking away to slap the ball between the keepers legs - only to have Reid from Tekkers score a third moments later, nullifying Callanders cracking equaliser. 3-2 the Tekkers at half-time. AD rallied the All-Stars and made some fantastic blocks in defence, despite the skills of Kemp and Reid they could not pass the "Thunder from Down-Under" until the half-time whistle was blown.

No one knows what was said at half-time, but the infamous All-Stars half-time hair-dryer treatment must have worked as JC took a shot from inside his own half within seconds of kick-off to equalise. A disastrous mistake made by Blaney; the 14 capacity stadium erupted as the All-Stars began to turn the tables in a game they were lucky not to have been 7 or 8 goals down by half-time.

Nicely continued his physical style of defending but it was Eves that was lucky not to receive a yellow for his obstruction on Reid in front of goal. Close, but McSweeney not seeing enough intent to produce a card. Lucky indeed.

Some superb saves at each end by Kettle and Webb ensured the game didn't end with a rugby score-line; Webb saving some superb volleys by Eves and, at the other-end, Kettle, with what appeared to be super-human reflexes, parried shot-after-shot from the awkwardest of angles. However, something had to give with the score tied and Bembey, the star of the BT derby thrashed home three in quick succession, after having an uncharacteristically slow start to the game. Like a red-jersey to a bull, Bembey made some fantastic sprints into space and shot hard and low to ensure All-Stars the win.

6-3 the final score to All-Stars who, at half time, would have been happy with the draw. Gwatkin and Rambo, spokesmen and players for Tekkers had this to say:

"We should have won. Simple. It's a game of two halves and it wasn't good enough for us to just dominate the first 20 minutes and get sloppy for the second. All-Stars didn't play better, they didn't have more shots on target, but they did have nicer shirts and I feel that this is really where ground was gained in the end"

AD, player/chairman of the All-Stars concurred that, indeed it may have been the great football jerseys that tipped the score but added:

"We played with real heart and determination, we ground-out the win and showed that team work and passion...and excellent shirts are key in this game".

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Referee adjudicated Man of the Match: John Callander

GOAL SCORERS:

EMEA ALLSTARS
John CALLANDER (2)
Andrew THOMAS
Karan BEMBEY (3)

TELETEKKERS
Rikesh PATEL
John BLANEY
James REID