Match report
Avalon capitalise on Renaissance's poor preparations
Avalon 3 - 1 Renaissance
25 July 2007
Colin Presly
Renaissance's impressive winning streak has come to a depressing end tonight after the blues slipped to a 1-3 defeat to Avalon FC. A mixture of a sloppy pre match build up, and lapses of concentration on the pitch have severly put at risk Renaissance's OMT campaign. With Avalon completing the double over them, Renaissance must now win all their remaining games and hope that team's around them drop precious points along the way.
From the start, it felt as though Renaissance were not fully focused on the job at hand. Conversely, Avalon looked eager and determined. Something had to give. The rainy conditions did not help the early periods of play. Both sides found it hard to get the ball down and pass, and although Renaissance enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the first ten minutes, it was Avalon who took the lead. Following a square pass from the right wing, an Avalon player flicked a shot that benefitted from the slick surface and completely wrong footed Masaccio and found its way into the net. 0-1.
It took a rather controversial goal for Renaissance to equalise about five minutes before the break. A looping shot from the Artist appeared to beat the Avalon stopper and fall into the goal. The referee instantly gave his verdict for a goal, despite the protests of Avalon players, particularly the goalkeeper, who argued that the ball went over the bar and fell behind the net. Nevertheless, the decision was made, and soon after, the ref called time on an intriguing first half.
With the game all square, Renaissance should have signalled their intent and ''gone to eleven''. The fact that their creativity, focus and determination suddenly fell apart is the unfortunate talking point. The blues simply did not get the rub of the green in the second half. They huffed and puffed but Avalon's defensive brick house would not fall down.
A great goal from an Avalon forward soon put his side into the lead. Having just enough time and space, the player curled in a lovely shot that gave Masaccio no chance. Depite making certain attacking substitutions, notably Megatron for Michael Angelo, Renaissance failed to create any clear chances. With the minutes running down, good attacking pressure on Da Vinci, allowed the ball to break away to an Avalon forward who finished the job, and put the game far beyond the reaches of a belegured Renaissance. FT 1-3.
Despite the current low mood in the Renaissance camp, thoughts must instantly turn to the next game of football. It is vital that Renaissance come back strong so that all the good work up to this point has not been in vain.
© 2007 Renaissance | site by: chingo
Renaissance glossary
shoot her!
used when a player is within shooting distance of goal.
taken from one of the Jurassic Park films.
hussa russa
definition unclear.
believed to have originated from seedi.
Check out more definitions from the Renaissance Glossary.