Match report
Modest Renaissance put up five star show
Renaissance 5 - 1 FC Warne
24 January 2007
Colin Presly
The talk prior to this game was about the number of goals Renaissance could score against a lacklustre Aussie outfit. Would Renaissance better their 9-0 personal record? Would they reach new heights not seen at Haverstock, and rattle off 15 goals? The plain answer to these questions was in fact, no. Yes, they did win, but by the much more modest total of five goals to one.
On a bitterly cold night in Camden, Renaissance would have wished that they were relaxing on Bondi beach with a few tinnies, rather than running around in sub zero like temperatures. It was clear from this that the Gods were already against them.
In a moment of Renaissance history, Xawfrus, once ever loyal Renaissance stopper, took to the pitch as an outfielder for the first time. Enter Verrocchio!
Despite dominating a first half where Renaissance keeper Masaccio was left ' whistling Dixie', with nought else to do, the men in blue were only 3-0 up at half time. Da Vinci, in a lone forward role bagged two, one a penalty, and the other a rather messy affair.
However, the second goal of the half was a memorable one with fine team work throughout. Verrocchio shrugged off a few Warne tackles and fed the ball to Da Vinci. His run down the wing ended with a smart pass to the advancing Artist, who side footed in just outside the area.
Despite a level of disappointment at not being more than three to the good at half time, Renaissance started the second period looking to up the ante. However, try as they might, a combination of the wood work and last ditch challenges from a never give up opponent, made sure that the emphatic victory that many predicted would not materialise. The Artist added a fourth after a couple of mixed up Renaissance free kicks.
Annoyingly, at this point, Warne got a consolation, which despite their battling qualities, they didn't really deserve. An instance reply from the Artist, hitting low into the corner, made it 5-1, but this marked the end of a frustrating contest.
On another day, Renaissance could easily have found themselves basking in a double figures victory. As it stands, work still needs to be done in order for the team to really make the most of games against inferior opposition. With the next four matches against weaker sides, Renaissance have amble time to put this right, and give their goal difference a healthy glow.
Renaissance glossary
button moon
(more popularly known as heighting, rainbow, and sombrero)
used when the ball is deftly dinked over an opponent's head and collected with minimal fuss on the other side.
taken from an 80's Thames TV production where a home-made Heinz rocketship arches over the moon.
shoot her!
used when a player is within shooting distance of goal.
taken from one of the Jurassic Park films.
Check out more definitions from the Renaissance Glossary.