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Buffs FC welcomed BuiGia to Buffs Park for a league encounter. BuiGia have a similar quailty squad - although Buffs possess a couple of higher quality individuals BuiGia maintain greater strength in depth. Buigia was formed on the same day as the Buffs and the Manager was Buffs Mad's first friend in T11. The development of either side has closely mirrored the other : they are friendly rivals and support each other wherever possible. Nevertheless, Buffs have never won a competitive match and the opposition actively changes his team both in preparation fr matches and during game time.
For this league encounter BulGia set up in a 4-1-3N-1-1 and Buffs in a 4-1-2-2W-1. Both managers were in attendance and Buffs also had the bonus of a newly befriended manager visiting the ground.
The match started briskly with Buffs taking possession and forcing a free-kick and resultant corner. Baxter headed narrowly wide. There then followed a period of pressure from Bulgia with 2 speculative shots and a couple of corners. McStay was booked for a midfield tussle during this time. And it was from a corner that BuiGia took the lead - a striker half-volleying the loose ball from a partially cleared cross.
For the rest of the half both sides flattered to deceive - a lot of effort for little reward. But BuiGia had the lead and maintained it at half-time. Following the start of the second half BuiGia made a couple of changes although not to formation. (Being in 3 competitions puts a higher demand on the BuiGia squad.
The second half saw possession football for either side interrupted by either a mistake of a failed goal attempt. It was a ver even match but Buffs Mad was getting concerned with Mackay conceding another free-kick around the box. BuiGia made another change but BuffsMad stuck firm with his starting line-up. He did however mull over formation changes but steeled himself to see how things played out.
From the 60th minute the game burst into life again with end to end action - McGregor made 2 great saves from BuiGia attemps in the next 20 minutes as BuiGia forced corners; and the opposition keeper did similar from open play attacks. From minute to minute Buffs Mad had no idea if the scoreboard would flash 1-1 or 2-0. But in the 82nd minute all doubt was removed - it was flashing 1-1. The equalizer came from a series of errors: a poor shot from Johnstone was needlessly deflected wide for a corner, the corner was wasted by McLeish as the GK claimed it, but his clearance was miscued by Buigia teammate and Buffs counterattacked. Mols drove at the defence with electric pace, beat one then another and, as he rounded the keeper, squared the ball to Law.......and Law toe-poked it in the corner off the post.
It seemed that was as many risks that either side was prepared to take - 8 minutes of uninspiring possession followed with both sides seeming to be gripped more by fear of a loss rather than being driven by hope of a win. 1-1 it finished.
While a home draw was not the result the Buffs Barmy Army wanted they can reflect on the fact that: BuiGia were last season's champions; had beaten the Buffs home and away, in very tight matches; and this year, now, there have been 2 draws.
Buffs Mad said "We wanted a win, we got a draw. Next match* we want a win - let's deliver it for the fans."
*Now Buffs Mad must decide whether he sticks with a 4-5-1 V or pushes on with the changes and opts for 3-5-2 for this CL leg where the winner takes it all.
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In the league its been an intense period with CR chasing down the team in 4th spot. A win against the leader 2 matches ago gave great hope but a draw against 2nd place team today let things slip. The top 4 teams are probably sick of CR but they should be grateful, without CR pinching draws and the occassional win from them it'd be boring. 
Originally Posted by Sirex
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