Revolving doors at the Arena as DSPAFC meet themselves on the way back

Football, it is often said, is like that. What exactly the that is is a matter of debate. But one thing is for sure: anyone lucky enough to have witnessed this classic encounter at the DSPAFC Arena is likely to have gone away knowing just a little more about the ‘that’ of “that’s football”. 30 seconds into the match, three touches sent the ball to Waddolucci who hit the size 5 first time to be cruelly denied by the upright. The counter attack saw the visitors stretch to a 3-1 lead with emphatic finishes about which the keeper could do little, three goals going in without time to kick off between them. But it is a funny old game, isn’t it. Complacency set in and the home side were soon on level terms, squeezing into a 5-4 lead with 10 minutes left on the clock. “Barbara Woodhouse” called out Coweyscatsi. And he didn’t mean “walkies” (mind you he wouldn’t have needed to encourage his defenders to indulge in the latter). Hold onto their lead they did, with valiant goal-line clearances by the superfly keeper. Stirring stuff indeed. The match was levelled with Gizzabaldi’s fluke nutmeg (very seasonal) through Waddolucci’s legs, Garrattino hit a cracker (again very seasonal) for 5-6 and A.N. Other (see next post) sealed victory. There were a few contenders for a new award, the Scott Carson sticker and chewing gum for services to fumbled saves, but the blushes of W. Wolfkaiser were spared as Waddolucci contributed a trio of ‘Carsons’ to Wolfkaiser’s mere one ‘Robinson’. Pipped at the post. Roperaroo had a mixed night, solid tackling and strong positional sense paying off with a goal. He competed with Gizzabaldi for miss of the night however, both open goals proving too narrow for their open minds. The chances to goals conversion rate of Al-Kinghali and Gilesinho was a matter of debate, the matter and the debate going somewhere but via a circuitous route. Campallese was a stalwart in defence, midfield, attack, wings, in the holding role and in the bit that no-one has a name for, Coweyscatsi curled one round the wall from 30 yards but hit the post, and Wolfkaiser was inspired in his one-twos at the edge of the area. Referee Jorge Satantango had a tough match with several tackles straight out of Robbie Savage’s scrapbook and several controversial high ball decisions that no doubt had the pundits divided in the pavilion. The home side can take a lot of pluses out of this match – it’s just a matter of finding them first. A time for reflection this week: check your pockets, they might be there. DSPAFC have a lot to do if they are to revive their hopes of European football next season.



Constantin Conngiggski is away