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Fusion United vs INTER 3/6/14
After Yesterday's Cup ties going badly for the Clarets, the key for the first league game of the season was to put that all behind them and get the league off to the right foot in their push for promotion! The Manager, fresh from his birthday celebrations yesterday, was keen to emphasise how key starting the league well was, and named a strong formation and team to face the much fancied INTER side(23.9Q).
The Clarets set up in a 4-1-4-1 formation to hep counter the pace that the INTER side had in the middle and to help match numbers with the opponents when they attacked in the box. This strategy worked for a fairly dicy first half which saw no goals conceded at either end, 0-0 at the break.
The manager decided to make a decisive change which swung the game in the Clarets' favour, he took off Bourgugion and put on Suarez, switching it to a 4-4-2 formation. It was felt that this change would make the Clarets team more offensive minded and get the breakthrough that was needed. The change was almost immediate.
On 56 Minutes, Keane who had for the most part been kept quiet this game, perhaps feeling his way into the season, set up Suarez, who didn't need a second offer and blasted beyond the opposing keeper, to make it 1-0 to the Clarets, the home support of 1000 finally had something to cheer about after the disappointment of the cup. The clarets now on top it would seem.
It took less than a minute to capitalise on the advantage, as Costa was fouled on the edge of the box, Mostto given the yellow card, and a free kick in a promising position. Johnson, with what is now becoming a trademark, whipped the free kick around the helpless defensive wall and into the top right corner of the net. 2-0 to the Clarets, and the league was off to a flying start.
The period before the end of the game was marred slightly when Keane recieved a yellow card for a silly challenge on 79 minutes, so he will have to be careful in the coming games to avoid a suspension. The manager may opt to start Suarez or even both for the next game.
A solid start for the Clarets today, can they build on it, is the question on the fans lips. Real Candy come to the Claret's home looking for a result tonight in the Champions League, United hoping to spoil their trip! Stay tuned!
Final Result: Fusion United 2 - 0 INTER
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Fusion United vs Real Candy 3/6
Onto Europe for the Clarets, and hoping to capitalise on the other group members drawing, a win would see them take top spot in the group. A crowd of 890 welcomed the Clarets onto the pitch, with some opting to stay at home due to high ticket prices following the Clarets' success in Europe from this season. The board would have to address this. A loud and gracious welcome followed for tonight's opponents Real Candy, who's manager failed to be present for the tie, tying up potential transfers I'm sure.
Sadly for the reader the game as a whole was pretty uneventful, with shots coming at a premium at the best of times, both teams seemed more concerned with not losing rather than winning, and it lead to a rather dull affair for the fans of both sets of teams.
The Clarets unable to make gains from the other group members, but then again, nor did they lose out in the long run, just one more game played, and the group is all tied up at 1 point a piece. Work to do for the manager to make sure a repeat performance is in order like last year.
Result: Fusion United 0 - 0 Real Candy
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Fusion United vs Alexandria FC 5/6
Continuing on with the League now, and the Clarets where back on home soil for the visit of Alexandria FC. 1000 eager fans welcomed both sets of teams onto the pitch, the board seemingly repented on the ticket prices increases and the fans trust applauds the effort and the Clarets are back in full numbers and in full voice. A flawless start to the season for them, put them joint top with 6 points and not a single goal conceded. Alexandria FC where adjudged to be the minnows of the league coming into this season with few bookies offering them any hope of survival as their average rating is 18.4, a considerable difference compared to the other teams in the division. However, football is a strange game, and the Clarets would need to be careful here to avoid an embarrassing turn of events.
The game started pretty much as the fans would have expected, with the Clarets having plenty of the ball, and the Alexandrian players chasing shadows. It continued in this vain for 10 minutes until Promut made a silly foul on Brendhal and got himself put into the referres notebook, a yellow card this time. Sadly for Brendhal, this would end his game, with the fall from the challenge injuring him and forcing him off on a stretcher. An ovation from the Claret fans greeted his exit, you don't like to see a player injured so early on.
Continue the repeat of the opening 10 mins, with the Clarets retaining 70% of possesion plus at the best of the game, they sought to make this advantage count. On 25 minutes, Schmidt tried a speculative effort from 35 yards, to everyone's amazement, and his own, it found the top corner with the keeper off his line. 1-0 to the Clarets in world class style, that's 2 goals in 2 games for the veteran winger, who looks to be replaced by Jamie, who is after recovering from his injury. This may sway the managers mind a bit, mind.
No events to report between the 25th and 45h minute as the Clarets where comfortable to play the ball around, making the opposing players tire as they chased a seemingly endless passing pattern. 1-0 to the hosts at half time, everything going according to plan.
The manager decided on a change at half time, with Bourguinon coming off to be replaced by Suarez up front in a slighty more offensive 4-4-2 formation. A signal of intent, this game was not over by any means. Alexandria proved as much on 50 minutes when Salinas cut the United defence apart with a sublime solo run, passing 3 players, rounding the keeper, and cooly slotting home to make it 1-1. A sniff of a result beckoned for the Alexandrian's who rarely had a chance in the game as a whole.
However, a piece of sloppy defending would cost them the game, when on 55 minutes a reckless lunge on Suarez was adjudged to be a foul, and the Clarets where awarded a free kick just outside the area. The player in question, Jamal, was booked for this incident. It was left to Johnson, who, in what is becoming a trademark of his, fired around the wall and into the top corner, the keeper left stunned and fuming at his wall. Truth be told, even without the wall, it was unlikely he would have gotten to it.
It stayed like that until the whistle, the Clarets comfortably through another game, 3 wins in the League on the bounce now, a result which sees them top of the table on 9 points, 2 ahead of AC Milan in the early punches.
Final Result: Fusion United 2 - 0 Alexandria FC
Tomike FC vs Fusion United 10/6
Today's match brought the Clarets on a short trip to the north of Ireland to face Tomike FC, a team 3Q stronger than the underdog's here. The manager eager to end the Claret's slump which had seen them drop from leading to 8th in the table, a win would see them climb to 4th, a loss would make a push for the champions league hard.
The game started badly for the away side, with Tomike bossing possession, leaving the Clarets chase the ball around for the opening exchanges. After 19 minutes the Clarets worst fears where realised when a neat one two from Tomike left Given stranded, and the ball simply passed around him and into the net, 1-0 to the hosts, the league proving a sad ground for Clarets' lately.
The game got worse on 25 minutes, when a foul on Suarez, recently back from injury, put the striker out again for another 3 days, devastating, as the forward line hasn't had the same chance as last season to gel. Bourgunion would come on in his place, making a 4-1-4-1 formation. The game slowed down as a result of the more defensive approach set out by the manager, and the scores remained the same at half time.
The second half kicked off much the same as the first, the Tomike players moving the ball around and making the Clarets chase, you felt they where tiring, not easy when you don't have the ball. On 58 minutes a thunderbolt from 25 yards caught Given unsighted, nestling into the net, 2-0 to the hosts. A hard task to overcome for the away side no, you would feel.
A slight hope for the Clarets came just two minutes later, when a Tomike player went down injured, with the manager not attending today's match, a substitution was not made, and Tomike where down to 10 for the rest of the game. It took 10 minutes for the numerical advantage to be made apparent, when a 25 yard shot from Promut stunned the opposing keeper, to make the scores 2-1 and give the Clarets some hope of a comeback.
Less than 30 seconds later Keane played onside by a rogue left back, played in Fitzsimons who neatly chipped the keeper, and make it 2-2 with 18 minutes to go. A draw it seems snapped from the jaws of defeat.
Sadly for Claret fans, it was to be short lived, as on 83 minutes, Criscito, who had been troubling the defence all game, got in behind again, and slotted into Given's left hand side, giving the Tomike's a 3-2 lead, and handing them the game.
Questions will surely be raised as to whether the top four, and not the league is achievable for the Clarets after a run of 4 straight defeats.
Final Result: Tomike FC 3 - 2 Fusion United
Fusion United vs Dave Ravers FC 29/6
A brand new season brings with it a new chance at silverware. A chance then for the Clarets to make a start on the back of their famous Champions league win a few days ago. They must however put that behind them now, as a new season awaits them.
Today's challengers, Dave Ravers would be no pushover, and in the first round of the cup, the fixtures computer kindly put the Clarets up against a, on paper, stronger opponent, a division above. A packed United park had 3,000 eager supporters to fill it, as a recently updated stadium gave the Clarets a bigger voice in these vital matches.
Onto the match, and it was a rather odd beginning to affairs with the Clarets in their favoured 4-4-2 formation dominated the early exchanges with 80% possession, a stat that would last the entire game. It took the Clarets 30 minutes for them to break down the Ravers defence, who simply had no response to the wing threat provided by Sandor and Fitzsimons.
However it was that familiar partnership of Suarez and Keane that would find the breakthrough. A Keane throughball lifted over the two centre backs, would set Suarez off on a dash to the ball, to which he caught on the volley and struck past the on-rushing keeper. 1-0 to the Clarets and a surprising lead given the pre-match nerves.
On 42 minutes a substitution as Van Galen was tiring it was decided to give Velasco his club début at CB. A free kick allowed him onto the pitch, and his first sight of the potent Suarez up front, who got on the end of Fitzsimons free kick with a header in off the post to make it 2-0 just before the break. The Clarets dominating possession and the score-sheet.
It was much of the same in the second half, and within 6 minutes of the restart, it was that man again, Suarez whowould complete his hat-trick with a weaving run past two defenders, and slotting past the keeper, to make it three for him and three for the Clarets. 3-0 to the Clarets and the second round now in sight.
Following a foul on Keane a free kick on 62 minutes allowed the young striker to step up and get in on the act with a sublime free kick into the roof of the net to make it 4 on the night, and his first of the season in his first game.
On 71 Minutes, a Fitzsimons corner kick was found by Gerrard with a powerful header past the hapless keeper to make it 5-0 to the Clarets, who are all but assured of a second round berth.
Can the Clarets progress further in the cup this year??
Final Result: Fusion United 5-0 Dave Ravers
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Dave Ravers vs Fusion United 30/6
Onto day 2 of the new season, and with the league draw to take place in the morning, the Clarets sought to start their season in winning ways by gaining passage into round 2 of the cup by beating Dave Ravers, the Clarets holding a 5-0 lead from the home game.
Sadly due to other commitments the manager was unable to attend tonight's match, so the team was handled by the interim assistant, Scrooge Mc' Duck.
The absence of their charismatic manager didn't seem to have too much of an effect, it is fair to say as, in a repeat of the first game, the Clarets dominated throughout the 90 minutes.
On 14 Minutes a superb strike by the young talisman Robbie Keane put the Clarets 1-0 up in the game, and truth be told at 6-0 to the Clarets it was hard to see a way back for Dave Ravers.
Their fears where compounded only 4 minutes later, when, on a day of long range efforts, Steven Gerrard rifled a 25 yard screamer past the helpless keeper. 2-0 to the visitors and the game as a contest was null and void.
The half time whistle couldn't come soon enough for the Ravers, who even though a division above the visitors, where not playing to any sort of standard. The day, however was about to get a lot worse, when on 40 minutes, Stephen Scannell, the young striker, just back from injury, got in on the long range act, by netting a third for the visitors into the top corner of the net.
After the half time interval, the visitors where comfortable in possession, the game well and truly over now for the Ravers. On 56 minutes, a foul outside the box presented Fitzsimons an oppurtunity to whip a ball into the box. The free kick was perfectly weighted and from Keane's head the result was unavoidable, 4-0 to the visitors, and screams of "We want Five" from the visiting Clarets ensued.
They would not have to wait in vain however, as on 78 minutes, a slick one two between Scannell and Fitzsimons allowed the winger in behind the defence to slot behind the keeper to make it 5 on the night to the visitors, the aggregate score into double figures now.
Ratings for today's game are below!
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Final Result: Dave Ravers 0(0)-5(10) Fusion United
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P.E.C.AMERICA vs Fusion United 1/7
Today marked the start of the Season 4 league for the Clarets in a division, that so far they have the highest Quality team in. This doesn't mean that the season will be easy however, with I'm sure many challenging games to come! The names of any of the teams we will be competing against are available on the main post! :)
Today saw the Clarets away from home at P.E.C, aiming to start the league campaign well after a nice cup win last night. The Clarets have been drawn against pyroshift FC in the next round.
Onto the game, and I must say it started with a bang. Only 4 minutes in, Sandor took a shot from 25 yards out, slipping it past the keeper to make it 1-0 to the away side. The 2,500 home fans silenced in an instant.
The P.E.C. team decided to shut up shop for the half, hoping to contain the incessant pressure that the Clarets where exerting on them. It made most of the first half a scrappy affair, with shots flying in, but either being blocked or just blasted back up the field.
On 42 minutes the P.E.C. resolve would be broken however, when Keane sprang the offside trap, chipped the goalkeeper and Hong was there to tap in for 2-0 to the visitors. A relief going into half time, as a 1-0 lead in any game is not safe.
Onto the second half, and it started as the last half had ended, with the Clarets again scoring. On 62 minutes, Keane, with a lovely piece of skill, turned the marking defender, Rounded the keeper and tapped into an open net to make it 3-0 to the visitors. Hardly a murmur from the home fans, but the small Claret crowd that had traveled where getting excellent value for money here.
The jubilant crowd did not have to wait longer to have more reason to celebrate, when just two minutes later, Scannell got in on the act. However, not in a scoring capacity, his role was more selfless, as he flicked the ball past the defender into Shaw, who dispatched a shot from all of 6 yards, into the net. The keeper helpless. 4-0 to the visitors, and signs of a cricket score here.
On 76 minutes, just as Dunne was preparing to come on for the tiring Hong, Scannell had a free kick to place into the box, onto Keane's grateful head to make it 5-0 on the night, the demolition complete, however there was signs there was more to come from this side.
And so it proved as just a minute later Keane completed his first hat-trick of the season, on the first game no less. It was that man Scannell, who has almost a telepathic understanding with Keane, set Keane away, and he cooly slotted the ball under the onrushing keeper, to make it 6-0.
However, this game wasn't all good for the Clarets, when on 87 minutes, hat-trick hero Keane, pulled up with a calf strain, and will be missing for the next 3 days, with Europe coming up later tonight, his loss could prove vital.
Here are today's ratings:
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Final Result P.E.C.AMERICA 0-6 Fusion United
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R.A.Y.L FC vs Fusion United 1/7
A long haul flight for the visitors tonight, as the Clarets flew to South Africa to play their first Champions league game. The flight time put some potential punters off, and only 70% of the total stadium was full, there where some visible gaps in the stadium where excited spectators should be.
The Clarets where made to work in this game vs a team rated 27.1 by the independent bookmakers, but this is the Champions league, and from the Clarets' outstanding success last season, an underdog can pull out a surprise shock.
The first half of the game proved to be a largely boring sideshow really, with not much happening until on 41 minutes the R.A.Y.L striker , Abraham picked up an injury. We wish him a speedy recovery.
After half time, Dunne came on for Velasco, a like for like change, with 2 games in quick succession proving too much for the veteran defender. However, this was to prove a turning point in the game, as only 2 minutes later, Dunne slipped, allowing R.A.Y.L in on goal, and slot into a virtually open net as it was 2v1 against the keeper. A mountain to climb as the game had been so cagey up until this point, with almost 50-50 possession.
It proved to be a cagey match hereafter as R.A.Y.L thought the 1-0 win would see them through. Until 78 minutes, they where happy to sit behind the ball and let the Clarets do all the work. However, through a dinked ball through by Sandor, Van Galen blasted a shot home from 10 yards, a typical defenders finish if ever there was one, but it didn't matter to the away support, who where celebrating.
The game seemed destined for a draw, when on 90 minutes, with the referee looking at his watch, the Clarets won a corner deep into injury time. Suarez, who is making a name for himself as a set piece specialist, knocked a beautiful corner in for Fitzsimons to head in. 93 minutes on the clock, and the second the ball hit the net, the final whistle went. Crazy scenes at the end, as the Clarets snatched it at the death. Next up is Pyroshift FC in Europe, an early morning kick-off.
Ratings below!
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Final Result: R.A.Y.L FC 1 -2 Fusion United
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Fusion United vs Pyroshift FC 2/7
Back on home turf after the trials of last night's trip, the Clarets sought to continue their perfect start to the season, with the team winning 4 games on the bounce thus far. Today's opponents at United Park where pyroshift fc, and by all accounts from the ratings experts, it was poised to be a close encounter for the Cup second round.
The manager saw a weakness in the team however, as a MC is playing in a DL position, not a normal switch of roles, and with the Claret's outstanding wingers that may be the place to exploit for results today.
The Clarets opted for a 5-3-2 formation to combat the pyroshift forwards, and it was thought crowding them out with 3 center backs would do the trick. The first half of the game was a bit of a damp squib to be fair, while passes and shots where being exchanged, nothing of note to trouble either keeper.
Onto the second half, and Scannell decided to take matters into his own hands just 3 minutes after the restart, with a blistering strike from all of 25 yards out, the young forward is finding his feet in this team after a difficult first season.
On 62 minutes, the Clarets had a corner kick awarded on the right hand side, and as per usual the ever reliable Fitzsimons was on duty to knock the ball into the 18 yard area, where Scannell rose above the rest and placed a header onto the crossbar and it luckily for the hosts, bounced in off the crossbar and into the net. 2-0 to the hosts now, and passage through to the next round looked half complete, with the away leg to come later.
On 74 minutes the game for the home leg was sealed with a fine Johnson free kick, onto the head of van Galen, who is making a name for himself among the Clarets as an aerial scorer, however he is retiring this season, so he might just be aiming to make himself a folk legend, who knows, but the Clarets are for the moment benefiting from his experience at the back.
Ratings from todays game are below!:
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Final Result: Fusion United 3-0 Pyroshift FC
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Fusion United vs R.M. Rjab 2/7
Back to the league duty for the Clarets, and the visit of R.M.Rjab, the underdogs for tonight's game but no opponent would be underestimated this season.
In the first half of the game, and continuing on into the second, the Clarets managed to hold 73% of possession, making the Rjabi boys chase shadows for most of the game, tiring them out and giving the Clarets license to play. It took 26 minutes and a shot from 25 yards out to break the Rjab defense when new singing(Will post profile on page 1) Candra, blasted a shot in from 25 yards out, wrong-footing the keeper. 1-0 to the hosts, and what a time to introduce yourself to your new adoring faithful fans.
Less than 10 minutes later, a slightly older face in Sandor got in on the long range act, fizzing a shot along the ground, unsighted of the keeper, and made it 2-0. A solid advantage going into half time.
During the break, the manager made a change, with Dunne replacing Hong, not for the first time Dunne has come off the bench this season, he must wonder why he doesn't get the nod sometimes. Gerrard made it a hat-trick of long range goals, on 66 minutes, with a trademark pile-driver from 30 yards.
The strikers wheren't having their best of days, but Scannell managed to get on the score-sheet with a sublime free kick on 73 minutes, the ball flying around the wall and into the top of the net, leaving the keeper helpless.
On 85 minutes, the Rjab player Arguelles received his second yellow card, and his marching orders for a foul on Keane inside the box. It was left up to Velasco to take the penalty, and he left the crowd in no doubt as he cooly dispatched the spot kick from 12 yards.
A convincing victory from the Clarets makes it 6 wins in a row with only one goal conceded. Kidorsen FC await in the league tomorrow, the question is can the Clarets maintain this form.
Ratings from tonight's game are below!:
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Final Score: Fusion United 5 - 0 R.M.Rjab
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Kidorsen FC vs Fusion United 3/7
In truth a bit of a bloodbath, but I wasn't there on my laptop at the time, so I will be unable to provide any good commentary on the match.
Three early goals, 2 from Scannell and one from Velasco put the game out of sight for the away side after only 15 minutes.
Keane from a Fitzsimons corner and a Gerrard shot made it 5-0 before half time.
In the second half goals from Candra, Velasco and Sandor rounded out a sound 8-0 win that puts the clarets in touch with Ana FC(who they play tomorrow) but have a -7 goal difference against.
Ratings as always are below!: :)
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Final Result: Kidorsen FC 0-8 Fusion United
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Fusion United vs Ana FC 4/7
Today's match saw first and second in the table clash for the first time this season. The 7 goal difference is not reflective of the Claret attacking option, but the simple devastating qualities of the Ana FC players. To this point they had scored 26 goals in 3 matches, just over 8 per game. The Clarets going into this had 19 goals to this point, not a bad total either, making both teams potent in attack.
However, the results are more stark when you consider that neither defense has conceded once this season. And todays game proved no exception, as a tensly fought out draw ensured that neither team would feel the bitter taste of defeat, however, in drawing, the two teams allowed other teams to creep past them in the early season running. Here are the ratings from today's game :)
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Final Result: Fusion United 0-0 Ana FC
