It was a late kick off at the wimbledon goal stadium on tuesday night, and some fans were doubting the gravytrain teams commitment to the club after the gravy’s new £15 million pound striker Rob Loveday dropped out due to the kick off time being passed his bed time. EFC United the opponents and they lye one position above the gravy’s in the table and a win for the Gravy’s today would mean they would climb another position in the table to 14th and out of the relegation zone.
The starting lineup included George “Braveheart” between the sticks, with Roc and Kevin Taylor making up the strong back two of the Gravytrains defence. Will Martinez and Ryan Copeland backed up the Gravy’s on form striker Richard Bunce who was looking to add to his goal tally after a stunning hat trick in last weeks fixture.
Gravytrain FC had kick off to start the match, but unfortunately were very slow out of the blocks indeed. Talk of the teams commitment seemed to be true when EFC combined 3-to-4 passes together that opened up the Gravytrain defence and gave the EFC United front man the opportunity to slot the ball past George “Braveheart”. EFC 1, Gravytrain 0.
How would Gravytrain players react to this goal after an extremely poor start?……They reacted magnificently, creating some great chances with strikes from Richard Bunce, Martinez and Copeland all saved by the on form EFC goalkeeper. Then came the pivotal point of the match. EFC came on the break, Copeland had dropped into a more holding role in the midfield to help deal with the oncoming EFC players, and made an excellent challenge on the EFC front man, then looking up saw Martinez up front and played him in. The EFC defence was caught napping and Martinez was 1-on-1 with the keeper and with a cool collective finish smashed the ball into the bottom right hand corner giving the keep absolutely no chance to save. Gravytrain drew level, with Martinez sending the fans into raptures.
EFC kicked off and came straight on the attack, Copeland intercepted yet another pass and quickly brought the ball forward tearing throught the EFC midfield like a knife through butter. Copeland had the goal in his sights and let fly with his lethal left peg. The shot powered straight at the keeper and went through his legs and into the back of the net. A great individual effort by the on loan Leeds United player. Gravytrain 2 EFC 1. Gravytrain FC looked really up for this game now!!
EFC kicked off looking very demoralised by the way that the Gravytrain team was performing. EFC came forward in numbers but Roc, who lived up to his name, made some very important challenges and kept the EFC frontmen at bay. George plays the ball out to Kevin Taylor who knocks a lovely ball to the feet of Richard Bunce. Copeland makes a run down the left flank and Bunce sees this and slots a lovely ball through to the feet of Copeland who takes a touch and piledrives the ball at the right side of the goal giving the keeper absolutely no chance. A great finish! Gravytrain FC 3 EFC 1!!
The referee brought the first half to a close. The Gravytrain team are really looking good at the moment. A great 1st half performance.
EFC kicked off the second half after putting there best player on the pitch in goal!! This could only be good for the Gravy’s and they did take full advantage of this. The EFC defence looked weak and Richard Bunce picked up the ball in the middle of the park and slotted through Martinez who took on the EFC defender smashing the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal. 4-1 Gravytrain!! The fans looked elated!!!
EFC came straight back at the Gravytrain side and Roc and Kevin Taylor were tested at the back and they passed the test with ease showing some great defending keeping the EFC attackers at bay. George played it out to Roc who plays it into Martinez who plays a lovely through ball looking for Kevin Taylor….Now Kevin Taylor is not renown for his pace but my word did he move to get to the through ball, absolutely dusting the young EFC centre back and putting himself through on goal. Kevin, 1-on-1 with the keeper pulled a great low right footed strike out of the bag and cracked the ball into the back of the net. Gravytrain 5 EFC 1. This was really sexy football from the Gravy’s.
Gravytrains legs began to tire in the final stages but Roc managed to keep EFC at bay at the back with an amazing show of strong defending, however Copeland was pushed into the area by the EFC striker only to see the referee give the controversial penalty. The fans were going wild. How on earth was that a penalty!!!! The EFC striker stept up not looking at all confident as he was only 16 years old (or so he kept reminding the gravytrain players). He smashed the ball straight down the middle of the goal only to see “Braveheart” getting down low and clutching the ball to his chest. Great save!! My My did the 16 year old recieve some banter from the home crowd. EFC came straight back on the attack however and caught the Gravys knapping clawing a goal back to make the score 5-2 to the Gravytrain.
Martinez went straight back at EFC and with a great individual effort slotted home the 6th goal with an amazing strike going in off the post, guarenteeing Gravytrain the 3 points. The referee brought the game to a close shortly after.
A stunning performance from Gravytrain FC who played some very sexy football here tonight. A special mention must be given to Roc who came back from the tattoo parlour to make a blinding performance at the back and grabbing a well deserved man of the match award.