Yuletide jeers

PFFC 1 Alba 6

Geoff, 10 December 2004

 

This festive fixture preceded our Christmas party and featured one of our biggest attendances of the season; ex-skipper Paul Kayley was in the crowd, as was Katy Gorsuc for her first game, which added a bit more pressure for Cornish Al. (Had the Gaffer known she had ten years playing experience herself, the line-up might have looked a bit different).

Along with Giacomo’s brother Andrea, a last-minute signing from Rome, Al was the only sparkle in an otherwise disappointing performance. And Cornish’s form on the pitch still didn’t match up to his singing at Jose’s at the post-match party.

Yes, a Christmas fixture, but only one side was showing the generosity and charity associated with the occasion as we presented them with a series of gifts. Andrea, playing without shin-pads and in preference to the chance to meet a girl (as Filippo put it afterwards) was our sole threat upfront; his goal gave a glimmer of hope for a while, but a second-half collapse ensured our heavy defeat.

After all, this was the team we had beaten to the first division championship last year. Well, actually it wasn’t, as they had an entirely new team and a new name. The only familiar face in their squad this year had been Dan, one of our former players. But even he had been unavailable for the match, although this did avoid any possible friction between the teams over his change of allegiance. The new-look Alba do however have probably the best striker in the league; his pace and all-round play alone proved too much for us.

PFFC’s goal-keeping problems continue; however, another useful first-half performance from Owen has given the management more to think about.