Turning a corner
PFFC 3 Arup 1
After an encouraging performance two weeks earlier in the previous game against Londrina, even though we ended up losing, Philosophy could go into the game against league leaders Arup believing they could get a result.
This match saw the welcome return of Clarkey, who was not deterred even after turning up the previous Sunday only to find the game had been called off.
Despite the never ending winter the pitch was in relatively good condition. This enabled Philosophy to play some of their best football of the season – certainly since Damo Ardiles' famous half-time switch from 4-4-2 to 3-3-4 – and, although the scores were level at the break. Philosophy had by the far the best of the first half.
And they did not have to wait long for their reward. James, who was leading the line magnificently, knocking in the first shortly after the restart.
The lead did not last long, however. Arup won a penalty after Will, the unfortunate dupe, applied the lightest of touches to their 6'3" striker, who went down like a sack of spuds dropped off the back of a van.
There was no panic, however; the Red Men calmly returned to the passing game which had served them so well so far, and deservedly retook the lead; a superb through ball to Ally from Matt who coolly took the ball a further 10 yards before majestically bending it round the keeper from 20 yards with the outside of his left foot.
The Philosophers saw out the remainder of the match easily, rebuffing Arup's attempts to draw the match level. Michele was again outstanding, and Ewan gave a fine full debut in defence. The win was confirmed seconds before the final whistle when Dylan scored a third on the break.
This was a great result, especially against the league leaders, and performance to be proud of from Philosophy. Finally we had our second win of the season. Is the tide finally starting to turn? Can we make our way up from the bottom of the table? At last we have a lot of regular games to find out…
PFFC (3-4-2-1): Kadeem; Will, Michele, Ewan; Simon, Jason (Clarkey 60), Clarkey (Mittu 45), Ally 1; Dylan 1, James 1; Matt