Match report
Warne's googly puts Renaissance in a spin
Renaissance 4 - 4 FC Warne
1 March 2007
Chidi Umeh
FC Warne almost pulled off an amazing giant killing feat and Renaissance are bound to complete the job when heads begin to roll. Once the dust settles and the inquistion begins Renaissance will discover they have only themselves to blame for a surprisingly dreadful performance mired in complacency and defensive ineptitude. But this will not detract from the role Warne played in the game. Their immense desire and commendable team spirit ensured they didn't leave Haverstock empty handed.
Warne started the match with six players but had their full compliment on pitch by the time Cartman tucked away the opening goal. Da Vinci and Rembrandt were venturing forward at every opportunity to make full use of the flanks. The Realist hit the post in an opening ten minute spell where Renaissance looked comfortable and threatened to overwhelm the Australian opposition.
But Renaissance began to lose concentration and cede territory and Warne duly equalised from long range after the defence backed off an oncoming attacker. Warne struck again to take the lead before half time as they began finding chinks in Renaissance's armour.
The second half was every bit as open as the first. Verrocchio hit the post when through on goal but minutes later went some way towards making amends when his pass found the The Artist who levelled for 2-2.
It was largely expected that Renaissance would assume control from this point but it was Warne who took the lead for the second time as Renaissance's midfield and defence were split down the middle allowing an attacker to finish past a helpless Masaccio.
Seedi was brought in to lend extra bite to the attack and his first act was to slide tackle a Warne defender and earn himself a rebuke from the referee. Brunelleschi, recovering from a hamstring injury, was thrown in to help avert what could have been Renaissance's most embarassing defeat in their history.
Renaissance were handed a lifeline after a Warne defender controlled the ball in his penalty area, and The Artist dispatched the penalty. With four minutes to go Renaissance took the lead when Brunelleschi found The Artist free on the edge of the box to hit his second hat trick of the season and put Renaissance in front.
Warne, playing only their sixth football game together, were justly rewarded for their contribution to the match with just two minutes remaining on the clock when a forward again broke free and scored from a powerful low drive.
After missing a great opportunity to go top of the league Renaissance will prepare for a tough second half of the season which sees them face Recreativo and Enterprise twice, Venezuela, and Ted Baker. They remain unbeaten but it will be Warne winning the plaudits and admirers for this result.
Renaissance glossary
it's all about...
a phrase used to wrap up a general idea or rant.
(e.g. "it's all about positional knowledge")
(e.g. "it's all about Mr. Lee")
merk
1. to make someone look foolish.
2. to embarrass or humiliate someone and brag in the aftermath.
Check out more definitions from the Renaissance Glossary.