This week’s Game of the Week comes from the outdoor 8v8 league, where Toe Poke (3) and Own Goal (2) played for a spot in the championship match.
Toe Poke started out strong with the majority of chances in the first half. Their first came very early on when a player showcased some good individual dribbling down the left flank, beating three players and neatly layed it off to the middle for a shot by an incoming teammate. The shot was strong enough to cause the keeper to bobble it into the net. Toe Poke’s next chance came soon after with an excellent pass delivered to the top of the box, which was controlled with a few good touches and shot over the bar. Toe Poke was sending a message loud a clear that they were here for business.
Toe Poke had another chance go begging off a corner kick, which was swung into the box and headed away. The ball was cleared to an oncoming player who calmly chested it and shot it wide of goal. Toe Poke’s dominance became apparent as they continued to hold the bulk of possession, passing the ball around well but failing to create any clear chances in the last third.
Despite the slow start, Own Goal created a few chances of their own. Unexpectedly, they found themselves in a promising position when Toe Poke’s defender made a mess of the ball at the back, easily handing possession over in a dangerous spot. Own goal attempted a pass to a running attacker, but the goalkeeper intercepted it brilliantly. Own Goal continued their upward trend with some good passing on defense, putting together a series of quick touches and moving the ball forward effectively. As the attacking play developed, Own Goal’s winger found herself wide open in space down the flank as the ball was distributed to her. She dribbled the ball well, cut it on the inside to her favored right foot and blasted a powerful shot which sailed over the bar.
Own Goal had another chance soon after when their midfielder got hold of a loose ball in the middle of the field and passed it neatly to the forward. The forward took the ball in strike, took a step inside and shot it wide. Finally, right at the brink of halftime, Own Goal met their reward. They were awarded a penalty kick when one of their players was brought down unfairly in the box. Their attacker stepped up, took a few touches upon the blowing of the referees whistle and calmly slotted it in the corner of the net beyond the outstretched arm of the goalkeeper.
At halftime the score was 1-1.
As the second half commenced, Own Goal came out roaring. They had a good chance right off the bat when they put together a few good passes and found themselves in the box. The ball was shot and parried by the goalkeeper. Soon after, Own Goal added to their score when the ball was played down the middle. Own Goal’s winger, sensing a good opportunity, made a run down the flank. The ball was spread out to her, crossing rather closely to the keeper who got a hand on it. Unfortunately for him, it landed right at the feet of an Own Goal attacker who tapped it in with ease.
Given the wet conditions, Toe Poke was counting their blessings when the ball slipped past a defender and coasted beyond the goalkeeper to the back of the net to level the game once again. Own Goal were not disheartened, as they put together a series of intricate passes and distributed the ball down the flank. The winger then passed it back into the box towards the attacker who did an excellent job of controlling it and putting it past the goalkeeper.
The back-and-forth action continued, as Toe Poke put together some good passes on a counter attack. Their attacker made a bursting run through the middle as the ball was passed to him. He took it in stride and was one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He managed to beat the goalkeeper, but pushed a little too far to the right and shot it wide. Soon after, Toe Poke made amends for their earlier miss when they converted off a corner kick, which slipped past the fingertips of the goalkeeper. Toe Poke added another in the closing minutes of the game when an intended cross turned into a shot and was deflected off the post into the oncoming attacker who tapped it in.
Own Goal had a few chances late in the game but failed to convert any of them, putting them mainly over the bar. The game ended 4-3 in favor of Toe Poke. Toe Poke will face Sparkle FC in the championship match next Thursday.
