Football fans share a universal language that cuts across many cultures and many personality types. A serious football fan is never alone. We are legion, and football is often the only thing we have in common

- Hunter S. Thompson

Line up: GK: Chilton, DEF: Hassan, Muaiweya, Peachey, Ndiaye MID: Henein, Ahmed, Haroon, Hasan ATT: Cunnington, Idris.

Subs:

Formation: 4-4-2

Referee: Roy Froggatt

Cold damp start to the morning and the team transport arrives with fans already waiting to see their team perform today. Redwood start the game above Armada only by goal difference however recent Armada form means that they have the edge going into this match. Armada fields their debutant goal keeper Chilton today who looks to become a promising keeper for AFC. The number 1 spot, fight is fully underway and it will be interesting to see his performance today.

Armada starts kicking left to right and looking the more organised of the 2 teams, with Khan being ever encouraging from the technical area. It’s a shaky start for Armada as the opposition flood the Armada half with a lot of play across the floor, a quick shot comes off only for the hands of Chilton to be warmed up. Redwood appear to be the more potent attacking team at the moment and this is rewarded through a goal after 20 mins off attacking prowess from Redwood. REDWOOD GOAL: (19’) 1-0.

The goal seems to have shifted the Armada players into overdrive and their midfield seems to be playing really well, Ahmed with his trickery and Muaiweya with his defensive steel head frustrates the Redwood attack. Redwood soaking up a lot of attack from Armada front pair of Idris and Cunnington. Armada on the attack with the play going down the right wing, Idris chases and manages to get a corner from his efforts, Muaiweya is running into the box, Ahmed takes the corner and it connects with Muaiweya’s head, what a goal. An amazing cross from the corner from Ahmed makes the game all the more interesting now. ARMADA GOAL 27’ MUAIWEYA, 1-1.

The game becomes all the more interesting with Armada creating several chances and then they strike again with a through ball from Hassan to Ahmed and a nice offside trap created by Cunnington allows Ahmed to chase the through ball and slot it past the keeper. ARMADA GOAL 34’ AHMED, ARMADA 2-1. Game continues with Armada showing Redwood how to pass and this continues up until half time.

HT: REDWOOD COBBS 1 – 2 ARMADA FC

Redwood kick-off with an attacking formation and signal their intent quite quickly with a shot at the goals but Chilton’s there to do his job. Armada responds with a few opportunities themselves and the next 30 minutes is battled very well by both teams for 30 minutes. Redwood attack down the left only to lose the ball to Yusaf and he takes a touch looks up the wing and pings a fantastic ball through to Haroon who makes the right back look silly and bullies him out of a challenge for the ball, Haroon follows his run into the box and smashes the ball into the top right of the goal, what a finish, Armada fully inspired and energised by the 2 goal cushion. ARMADA GOAL 76’ HAROON, ARMADA 3-1.

Armada taking some heavy tackles this half and it seems as though Redwood don’t know how to break this team down any further. Idris, Muaiweya take two nasty challenges but thankfully they are back on their feet. The frustration seems to have taken a turn as Redwood players have started to have a full on confrontation amongst themselves. This being said Armada seem to have started to lose energy as Redwood hit the post and bar and clearances made by Hassan and Muaiweya keeps Armada from conceding. Redwood makes 3 substitutions and the fresh legs prove too much for the defence and Redwood strike with a goal, REDWOOD GOAL 85’ REDWOOD COBBS 2 – 3. The final 5 minutes has gone into defensive mode by both teams as each attacks the other seems to park the bus, but Armada’s attacking prowess proves too much and the referee blows for fulltime.

FT: REDWOOD COBBS 2 – 3 ARMADA FC

Armada played with their hearts on their sleeves today, the more vibrant, energetic and creative team won in the end. Redwood fought well but were outplayed in the midfield and this is where the game was lost for them. It was great to see all the Armada players shaking the opposition’s hands after the game and Manager Khan was extremely happy with his team’s performance.

MOTM: JOBE HASSAN