Florist were looking to bounce back from their dismal draw last week with a win over the struggling gypsies Black Widows, and with four defeats in four, let’s just say the oppo didn’t actually travel that well…
Despite his best efforts, team bus driver Hollinshead couldn’t make up the time lost in traffic and the Florist were left stranded with three outfield players come kick-off as debutant Nick Webb and co. rolled up (to the match)…
The nightmare start was compounded by the concession of an early goal as the Florist four were exposed by the pacey opposition. Florist were in disarray and conceded again, essentially starting the match 2-0 down - much to the disapproval of the starting four.
Things were looking dismal for the relegation battlers as Charlie looked to rally the troops; some gorgeous build-up play saw Florist swarm into the final third and when Jack pulled back from a crossing position, Charlie rifled low into the corner to peg one back for the Floz.
This galvanised the team and the boys began to work really hard for the ball in midfield, and some silky passes opened up the travellers a number of times with no final product. Unfortunately the price was payed as the oppo countered efficiently to extend their lead, leaving Mann furious with the off the ball attitude of his outfield players. 3-1.
Florist then went on to make the most of their technical edge, with Morris coming forward to feed the strikers, Jack setup Dan and then debutant Miles (who clearly wasn’t fazed by the pre-match press surrounding Florist Director George Gill and his sister) who both converted to bring Florist level at 3-3. A couple of blistering long-shots from Nick and notably Jack, who rattled the bar with a scorcher from range, helped set up the Florist come-back with the goals resulting from the second phases of play.
Charlie had put a shift in to try to amend his late arrival and he was rewarded when the ball sat up for him well outside box, his shot beat a keeper blinded by his centre back to put the favourites 4-3 into the lead for the first time as the whistle was blown.
The importance of the next goal was stressed fervently at the interval by manager Charlie, but as the second half kicked off the Florist clearly hadn’t risen from their afternoon nap. By the time the players had made their beds and tied their bootlaces the fortune-tellers comprising the oppo were predicting a shock win for Black Widows.
Some atrocious defending, decision making and, crucially, work-rate cost the Florist dearly in the second half as they gifted the oppo three quick goals to find themselves 6-4 behind. The goal of the game then came as the two Carters linked up effortlessly to create space for Dan to slot home as it was shown how easy it is to create opportunities with quick, short passes. The striker collected his second of the game to give Florist a shout at 6-5.
With the boys pressing for an equaliser, Mann opted to come out of goal in an attempt to provide that extra support up top. Unfortunately Mann forgot to organise a replacement keeper as Florist adopted an unorthodox 0-1-3-2 formation leaving them somewhat exposed when not in possession. Mann amusingly landed a club record of the most fouls in one phase of play, securing well over 10 kicks on the travelling striker’s ankles in what looked like a bid to supplant Hardie and Carter in the filthy player rankings. Morris made a number of heroic blocks at the death to maintain the one goal deficit but the unconventional approach to securing an equaliser rendered them all in vain as the opposition striker snuck home a seventh to put the game out of reach for the Floz.
