Buffs FC (Scottish Team) - server 112

[Buffs Mad]

Buffs had 2 important matches yesterday for differing reasons.

First up was the final Champions League Group match against Ahtariyo. Buffs had beaten Ahtariyo 8-1 in the earlier rounds. That result was a bit flattering for the Buffs and Ahtariyo remain the closest rival in the league particularly given the recent 1-1 draw. It was a relatively close match with Buffs dominating possession but the opposition enjoying success on the break. (Embarrassingly this success was mostly down to Buffs Mad forgetting the team was set up in Attacking mentality and once changed near the end of the first half to Normal, the threat subsided.)

The most stand out feature of this match was the impressive amount of work the Ahtariyo defence got through: blocking, deflecting and clearing everything long. But they were picking up cards and it was a 29 minute Penalty for handball when a corner came in that separated the teams. 1-0 win for the Buffs and an impressive 33 goals in the Group.

Next up was a home tie against White TNT, who the Buffs narrowly beat on away goals in last year's CL semi-final on the way to lifting the trophy. Buffs Mad considered it a bit of unfinished business - he thought the Buffs to be a superior team and it was time to show it.

Unfortunately its hard to give a true picture of the match. Throughout the first half it was all Buffs but the stats were ticking over showing the majority of shots and those on target, as well as corners, for the visitors. No mention in the commentary. Buffs Mad was thinking long and hard, checking that his formation was correct and team orders were as he had instructed. The second half kicked off and the statistician had clearly reworked his report.....only 1 shot on target for the opposition and Buffs were ahead on every count, except goals. Very strange....maybe they'd been totting things up for the wrong team. 2 corners from McLeish and 2 headers from Souness gave Buffs a 2-0 win but 2 injuries to 2 DMCs were a high cost. It seemed fitting that it was 2 fingers that Buffs Mad showed to the league officials.

Here's some piccies.

[The Avenue]

Bringing on a player for a injury and then he gets injured. Not like that doesn't happen a lot right?

[Buffs Mad]

Bringing on a player for a injury and then he gets injured. Not like that doesn't happen a lot right?

Yeah, I should count myself lucky to have got 4 mins play out of him - another team I had got the sub injured within a minute. >.<

Good luck with your team!

Thanks ModRom.

NB. folks wandering in here need to be careful - very easy to get lost in all the rubbish I throw around.

Today's match was the 2nd leg of the last 16 Cup tie at home. Having secured a 3-1 lead from the away leg Buffs Mad was in confident mood - although he had been getting a little bored with the number of times the team has faced ND formation this season. But nevertheless, on the boys went, 4-5-1V *yawn*.

After the long heatwave the morning rain had given the pitch back its lustre - and the Buffs weren't lacking as the first 10 mins saw 3 good chances. Law created a fine solo opportunity and scored in 3 mins, Baxter squandered a chance soon after and the opposition GK made a great save from a McStay FK. It was all Buffs, McFadden rounded the keeper on 14 mins, squared to Law and he somehow managed to blast it over; Souness headed over from a corner in 17. Reilly's Rebels had a chance to create something in23 minutes from a corner but Nicol made the headed clearance..... Bufs kept coming but the Rebels were, surprise surprise, defiant - McStay's shot from a McFadden layoff on 25 was blocked, McStay pounced on a efensive mistake in 33 mins but Henderson put it over, and again McStay was wasteful in 44 mins when his FK strike hit the wall. Miss block miss block was the pattern but at least there was no real threat from the visitors.

The second half was unfortunately the same as the first the Buffs held the ball, pressed forward, created chances and missed. On the rare occasion anything was on target the target just happened to be a defender. Buffs Mad was bored. He told the subs to warm up, then strip off, then sit down....just to occupy himself. Benched Winger Johnstone was getting frustrated so Buffs Mad put him on for Henderson in 77 mins. The time ticked slower. Shot, miss, shot block. On 84 mins McStay saw another shot blocked and cleared long. Ronaldo had the ball in the Buffs half and the defence marshalled him outside away from danger........and *whoosh* the ball nestled in the net near the back post. The whole stadium was stunned. 1-1. And they remained stunned as all hell broke loose. 5 minutes of hell.

7 shots from the rebels peppered the Buffs goal,

5 on target,

1 forcing a fingertip save from McGregor,

3 corners flew in......

And then it was all over. With everyone still stunned there was an eerie calm.

Buffs Mad looked puzzled, then angry at thie suuden change in the opposition. Then he thought "This is done with, we're in the last eight, let's look forward."

Match in pictures

[ModeratorRomania]

Good luck with your team!

[Buffs Mad]

Round 12 in the league saw Buffs FC travel to Chile to meet Velardez FC. Velardez set up in a 3N-1-3W-2 and Buffs were pushed out again in a 4-5-1V. (Buffs Mad is getting bored with this.) We hope the Velardez boss enjoyed a pleasant dream the night before because the first half was a nightmare.

6 mins - Velardez GK stretchered off;
19 mins - Henderson (AMR) nods home a Baxter (AML) cross;
21 mins - Velardez AMC booked for foul;
28 mins - Velardez ML booked for handling outside the box;
28 mins - Velardez MC booked for handling at the FK = penalty;
28 mins - Steve Nicol scores from the spot.

Henderson then comleted his hat-trick with 2 goals before half-time. In the second half 3 more goals for the Buffs came from Gough, Henderson and McFadden (sub). Valardez's MC then saw yellow again and red with 6 mins left.

Nevertheless, Velardez's defence was well rewarded for their efforts with ratings of 8 for the GK and 2 x 9 and a 7 for their defenders.

Buffs remained top of the league by 4 pts and a +56 gd.

Round 3 in the league saw Buffs FC play host to MS Sarakham. Sarakham were the team that Buffs defeated in last season's CL final.

The visitors emerged in a 4-3-3 and Buffs Mad, bored with 4-5-1V, decided to see how a 3 man defence would match up - sending out the team in a 3-1-5-1 and thinking to switch to a 3-5-2 flat if the opportunity arose.

Well, the Buffs defence were pressured but stood steadfast until Gough picked up an early yellow on 25 mins and Sarakham scored from the FK. But Buffs replied within the minute to make it 1-1. On 36 mins the plan went to pot as Gough collected his second yellow and was off giving the visitors a huge possession advantage until Buffs Mad got Gemmell on and shuffled the Buffs to a 3-5-1V to plan the next move. Half-time came and went, possession was balanced again, the tie was even and there was excitement at either end. Sarakham freshened up with 3 subs and Buffs' McStay added a yellow to his collection. (Note: Buffs midfielders are geting a bit too aggressive now so the tackling might need toned down )

Buffs Mad decided to change to a push through the middle for the last 15 mins with AMC McFadden coming on for AML Baxter. The crowd howled at the schoolboy error - Buffs Mad had left the flank empty! XD - so it was shuffled back. Towards the 85th minute Buffs had 2 good chances but squandered them with the Sarakham keeper making an outstanding stop.......and Buffs were then counter attacked twice in quick succession, with the latter leading to the winning goal for Sarakham on the 88th minute mark.

So Buffs incur their first loss in the league this season and their GA column increases by 50% to 6. However, second placed side Ahtariyo also slip up with a 1-0 defeat in Vietnam so the top of the table stays unchanged.

[Buffs Mad]

Buffs FC have been suffering some performance issues so not many happy endings to report.



The Board have now negotiated a new sponsorship with a little blue pill manufacturer so hopefully things will pick up.

[Buffs Mad]

League: Buffs FC win 13-0 away from home to stay 4pts clear at the top. Both James McFadden and Paul McStay scored 4 goals.

McStay's 3rd goal was the 500th goal in Buffs FC history and Jim Baxter (AML/ML) makes his 100th appearance for the Club.

Now they need to rest quick for the CL return leg. XD

Here's a taste of the end to end action, nail-biting action.



Champions League: Buffs FC negotiate safe passage into the QF with a fine 4-0 home win.

James McFadden scored a solo effort, cutting in from the left, with the last kick of the 1st half. Law tapped in from close after the GK fumbled a shot (54), McStay blasted home a FK (66) and Henderson cut in from the right to rifle home and complete the scoring (79).

Buffs went out in a 4-5-1 against the opponents ND. Both managers were active, away had 1 supporter and another, who had 3 of his 4 teams left in the last 16, watched as a neutral.

PS: the team lost an average of 25% condition in the match with both central defenders sucking for air after a 30% loss.

[Buffs Mad]

Sticky period of the Season for the Buffs with the planets aligning, trolls amassing and unlooked for threats crawling out of nowhere.

Catch-up

League: Buffs lose 3-2 in the league away to 3rd place side after 2nd got trolled by lower table side.

(Nordeus God giveth and taketh away )

After the only other league defeat this season Buffs Mad vowed there would be no more 3 man defence experiments.
Sooooooo, today the Buffs were sent out in a 3-1-3N-2-1 >.< against the oppositions 4-1-3N-1-1.

Home side took a 2 goal lead in a 2 min flurry of activity just before half-time - 1 from a triple corner and 1 from a FK. Midfielder Fletcher was hauled off and Right Back Gough was on with a switch to 4-5-1V. Henderson scored from a cross on 58 min but Home side immediately went 2 up again with a blistering strike on 59. DMC McNeill scored a solo effort in 75 mins and was then hauled off for Dalglish as Buffs changed to a Hex for final 10 minutes. McStay skimmed the bar with a FK on 89 mins and the match ended Buffs 2 Steven FC 3.

Buffs remain 4 pts clear at the top and must prepare quickly (again) for Cup 2nd leg to try to overhaul a 1st leg 2-1 defeat.

Cup: Valiant Buffs FC fail to pull back from the 2-1 loss away and are held to a 1-1 draw at Buffs Park and go out of the Cup in the QFs.

Buffs went behind after 2 mins but battled back to gain a foothold in the match. With Buffs more fired up in the second half McFadden scored the equaliser on the 54th minute. It was end to end stuff after that with Buffs enjoying territory and possession but the visitors threatening regularly. Wingers McFadden and Henderson tired and Cooper and Johnstone came on. As with the previous league match it fell to McStay to try to grab a late lifeline from a FK but the visiting GK made a breathtaking save and, after the resultant corner came to nothing, the ref blew up.

Buffs Mad said afterwards "It was a thrilling run while it lasted and was more than we dared dream. Obourg showed just a bit more quality and the Manager's greater experience told. We will learn and grow for next year!"

Champions League: Buffs FC win 3-1 away from home in the QF 1st leg. Both sides were same Q but the home manager was absent.

Buffs went 1 down form a corner in 15 mins. Henderson levelled from a McStay FK on the right with a half-volley, McStay pushed the Buffs ahead with a solo effort in 81 mins and Henderson completed the scoring with a tap in after Law did all the work rounding the keeper.

Buffs set up in 4-3-2W-1 with the opposition in a 3-5-2 Flat.

League: Buffs FC win 5-0 at home to go 5pts clear at the top as the chasing pack cut each others throats.

New signing Joe Jordan scores on his debut.

League: Trolls are amassing outside Buffs Park as the Buffs are held to a 2-2 draw. Thats 2 wins 1 draw and 2 losses after an undefeated 1st half of the season.....but we're still clear by 3pts as 2nd changes again. But I don't think we'll withstand this luck much longer. XD

Buffs conceded 8 corners in the 1st 20 mins then none until opposition scored their first from a triple corner in 57 mins.

[Buffs Mad]

Today was CL QF day. Buffs FC had already secured a 3-1 away win and confidence was high but complacency was kept in check.

As the music played both teams emerged: Buffs took to the field in a 4-3-2W-1 and Sion FC formed into a 3-5-2 flat. The quality on the park was equal Buffs had 1 World Class, 8 Scout level and 2 x 5*with the opposition 1 World Class, 9 Scout and a 5*. The visiting manager was nowhere to be see.

At kick off the action was fast - Buffs were on the offensive. The pressure was relentless but the finishing sub-par. In that first period Buffs FC managed 11 shots and forced 5 corners, Joe Jordan was buzzing and 3 times 'rounded the GK and laid it off only to see his colleagues whistle it by the post, narrowly miss and balloon it over. Only 2 attempts were on target and even FK maestro Paul McStay wilted in his moment in the sun.

Sion on the other hand were restricted to 6 attempts but managed 3 on target and grazed the bar from a corner as the half drew to a close. But it was not over yet as the visitors got a FK on 44 mins and it was rifled home. A lesson in accuracy. 0-1. Once more Possession was proven to be only a stat as Buffs had almost 70% of the ball in that first 45.

Buffs Mad told his side to remain composed. Defeat was acceptable as long as there was no collapse. Sion were assured in possession in the second half and came at the Buffs more. But Buffs defence seemed assured - corners were being forced but the Buffs aerial presence exuded confidence and it was from a cleared corner that Buffs broke out of the Sion stranglehold. Henderson was release on the right and found space. As the in-rushing Buffs attack looked for the cross, the defence did too, and Henderson spotted the gap, got in behind and skipped past the GK to bullet it home. So on 64 minutes it was 1-1 - if Buffs could avoid losing 2 more then they were safe.

Buffs then enjoyed a short period of dominance again and showed more accuracy but couldn't get a second. In the last 15 minutes Sion pushed and pushed but this time they were creating the chances but without real threat on the goal.

In the last 5 minutes the pressure was intense. Mcgregor was alert to a long range shot and deflected it wide. Sion forced 3 corners as the time ticked by but Buffs held. As the clock counted down ever-slowly Buffs were almost certainly through and the only focus was to avoid defeat in front of their fans. As the clock showed time-up Sion had one last chance with a FK in a dangerous position - but McGregor was equal to it and flicked it over. No time for a corner - 1-1 was the final score and Buffs were through to their 3rd CL Semi in succession.

[Buffs Mad]

League: Buffs FC welcomed a rejuvenated mid-table side, Amandine FC, that was on a 5 game winning streak and had been trolling the chasing pack. Thankfully Buffs got a 4-0 win courtesy of Troll-Away^tm - a solution for all your regenerative beastie problems.

Midfielder Paul McStay also helped a bit with a hat-trick and Bobby Murdoch added the other. Billy McNeil received a 3 day injury but the medical team now expect him to recover within 1 day after intensive post-match treatment.

The next league match sees the Buffs travel to meet their Vietnamese rivals sitting in 2nd - 3pts behind and 52 goals off the Buffs. Buffs Mad said "We can now look forward to the away side in our next match putting together a massed rank of supporters."