Match report
Over My Ted body - Renaissance back in the woo groove
Ted Baker 3 - 5 Renaissance
14 June 2007
Colin Presly
Renaissance have produced a superb display tonight, beating Ted Baker by five goals to three. With the OMT campaign balanced on a knife-edge, the men in blue stepped up to the plate and gave an out of the skin performance. In doing so, they have kept alive their hopes of taking the trophy and have signalled their intent to the rest of the league.
The starting line up was a bit different from what was expected. With the Shaman missing out with a dead leg, new recruit Dan Benn was given his first start, playing as the target man.
Renaissance could not have hoped to have started the game better. There was an obvious urgency displayed from the off, and despite Baker testing Masaccio, who responded with a great save early doors, the rest of the half belonged to the artisans.
The Artist made it 0-1, when he profited from slack Baker defensive work, and finished well. Renaissance were soon two goals to the good, when debutant Scholesy cut in from the right wing and hit a speculative shot at the Baker custodian. Thankfully for the number eight and his teamates, the ball squirmed under his reach and over the line. Scholesy was whole-heartedly embraced by his teamates, who were impressed with his endeavour.
Ted Baker had little time to regroup before a great team move found Cartman, whose fine shot gave the goalie no chance. 0-3 and crusing. At this point, Baker were shell shocked. Renaissance were fighting for every ball, and their opponents were denied the space for shooting that they hitherto enjoyed. The Artist made it 0-4 with a about three minutes remaining. Finding space on the right hand side, he smacked a low shot well beyond the reaches of the keeper. Despite a few extra minutes granted by the referee after normal time had elapsed, Renaissance saw out the first half four nil up.
It was only to be expected that Baker would look to get back into the game straight away. However, the manner of the goal that Renaissance conceeded, only minutes into the second period, will not have impressed the new management. A long ball sent forward fell nicely to a Baker forward deep in Renaissance territory. Perhaps a positional call to the Artist, who was closest to the player would have prevented the attacker volleying the ball past an exposed Masaccio.
Nevertheless, Renaissance bounced back well. Benn, Scholesy and the Artist all created positive chances, as Baker somehow got the ball to safety. Ted Baker could not deal with the strength of Benn, the drive of Cartman, and the skills of The Artist and Scholesy. At the back, sterling work from Brunelleschi and Da Vinci left the Baker frontine thoroughly frustrated.
Renaissance soon made it five when the Artist, lively as ever, chased down a baker defender, and advanced on goal. With all the time in the world, the number four gave the keeper a touch of the chubby checkers, left the keeper on his bottom, and finished cooly. Surely all she wrote? Wrong. Ted Baker rallied and ensured that the last five minutes were not without nerves.
Tired Renaissance legs allowed Baker to steal two quick goals. Renaissance need to keep up their concentration levels to the end. Baker's forwards, despite being shackled for the majority of the game, still had enough left in their lockers to pull back some pride. That was all they could hope to get though, as the final whistle ended a match that Renaissance bossed all the way.
The response that one an all had hoped for has been given. This showing has established a bench mark that must be met henceforth. Every Renaissance player gave their all, and the OMT mission is alive and kicking.© 2007 Renaissance | site by: chingo
Renaissance glossary
test him!
used when a player is just about to take a shot on goal.
this phrase is often a handicap as it only serves to disorientate the shooting player and result in a wild attempt at goal.
fugazi
1. a waste of time; or a useless person, situation, or thing.
2. the ability to worsen an already desperate situation.
Check out more definitions from the Renaissance Glossary.