Fusion United

[David Malone]

In a game versus a team sat in 5th place in the table, the Clarets' hosting of Rajawi FC promised to be an entertaining encounter. The game saw the manager bring on two new débutantes in Luis at Centre Forward alongside Keane, Shay Given at Goalkeeper and Glen Johnson at left defensive midfield. Fathy, Kamal and Fabio would drop to the bench in their place.

The game started brightly for the hosts, bossing possession in the opposing half, clearly the Clarets where on a high following their exploits in Europe on the previous matchday. This feeling of euphoria was encapsulated after 16 minutes, when Mohammed played a ball through to Keane on the edge of the box, Keane took a touch to settle the ball, and shot into the net. 1-0 To the Clarets.

The game continued in the same vein, with Fusion almost tearing the defence in two at will. It wasn't until 36 minutes had passed that they made the breakthrough, and it came from a set piece. Miswan was fouled at the edge of the box. The man himself stepped up to the free kick, delivering a piledriver into the top corner, just skimming in off the top right crossbar. 2-0 to the Clarets, and you feel they where in control of the game. The half finished with the same score, and the team could take a breather, ready for the next 45.

It was decided with Keane looking jaded from all the matches he is playing, that he needed a rest, so the manager subbed him at half time, brining on Fathy in his place. This seemed to have a demotivating effect on this team, as for the first 10 minutes of the first half, they sat back, despite the managers shouts of "go foward!", minus expletives. They where made to pay for their slacking approach to the second half, when Avery got in behind the defence, rounded Given in the goal and tapped in. 2-1 to the Clarets.

That's all the motivation that was needed. The ball, from the second it was set down on the centre circle, was always going forward, with the Clarets looking for a third, and they would not have to wait long. A Rajawi defence that has looked suspect all day, allowed the speedy Suarez to break away from them, and 2v1 with the keeper, passing to Rodriguez to tap in. 3-1 to the hosts, and the game back in their hands.

United piled forward in search of a 4th goal to put the icing on the cake for the home fans, but the fans where soon despairing as on 74 minutes, Khalloof put in a horror challenge with the high studs, injuring Suarez on his debut, and would see him out for the vital home game in Europe! Khalloof received a yellow card, and Suarez, who had a good game, was stretchered off the pitch to an ovation from the home support. Johnson took the resulting free kick after the substitution was complete, with Promrut coming on for Suarez and the clarets switching to a 3-2-4-1 formation. The free kick felt a sweet justice as Johnson planted the ball firmly on Al-Selwi's head, who unmarked, powered in to make it 4-1 to the hosts.

The Clarets where now in total control of this game, with their newly found formation ensuring defensively at least, they where more solid. But, it was once again the strikeforce that showed the way forward, and less than a minute later, Jamie got in on the act with a fine drive from 25 yards, leaving the opposing keeper stunned. He could only watch it sail past him. 5-1 to the hosts, queue the chants of "You're getting sacked in the morning" to the opposing manager, who after 3 losses a draw, and a likely loss here, was starting to feel the heat.

Sadly for the opposing manager, life wasn't about to get any easier, when on 84 minutes Regragui fouled Johnson 25 yards out, conceding the yellow card, a team saving measure because he was the last man back, 7 yards more forward and it would have been red. From the free kick, Johnson stepped up and thumped it hard and low into the bottom corner, leaving the keeper helpless. 6-1 to the hosts now, and a game that was all but lost as a competition.

Johnson was at it again on 89 minutes, demonstrating the attacking abilities that may make him a vital cog in the Claret machine for year to come, with a surging run into the opposing box, when upon getting there was cleaved down by Zavala, the crowd baying for blood and a penalty, the latter they would get, but Zavala was punished by receiving a yellow card. It was left to Johnson, who had a great game up to this point, to take the spot kick. A goal and an assist to his name on his debut, the result was never really in doubt, cooly finishing to the keepers left hand side, he turned to see his team-mates charging to join in the celebrations. The league push may be over, but this team has more title charges left in them, that's for sure. Next up: Montecarlocity, a home game in the semi finals, can we upset the odds again?

Final Score: Fusion United 7 - 1 Rajawi FC