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Our first game this season at the Close house venue proved an eventful one. After taking the coach into the Northumberland countryside, the INTO team were to be playing the University’s Politics team.
Confidence was high going into the match but early on after a long free kick the Politics players found themselves unmarked to score any easy header well against the run of play. But INTO battled strong with hissa in midfielf and andreas up front proving to offer some excellent creativity. Oli – who battled tirelessly up front (and should try out for the Uni team next year) run clear latching onto a loose ball only to see his effort beat the keeper but hit the bar. Following up was Andreas to coolly head the ball into an open net: 1-1.
After some strong battling and passionate moments of play, Politics sneaked a goal after a defensive mistake sending the INTO team in at half time 2-1.
The team-talk from Simon seemed to stir something in the players and with the rain coming down hard Oli broke through and scored a well taken finish beating the keeper from 12 yards. Straight from their kick off INTO scored a second with Oli battling hard shooting low for Ezehiel to nip in at the back post and hit the ball home. 3-2 INTO.
Politics mounted on the pressure but the defensive line of Ralph, Shu, Simon and Alex played well together, making sure if they beat one man they still didn't get near the goal. It proved successful as Oli - a trouble all game for Politics) coolly rounded the keep and send INTO 4-2 up.
With the rain beating down harder than ever the Politics onslaught continued and after a giood strike from 20 yards beat a helpless Koji to make it 4-3 INTO. Koji continued to keep INTO in the game with some spectacular saves and simon’s trademark slide tackles ensuring politics couldn't get near the goal. But it was 2 minutes to go when Politics broke down the wing and laid a neat ball into the box. A helpless Simon slipped when turning direction giving the politics striker enough time to nip in and tuck the ball in from 3 yards out sending politics into joy and the INTO team feeling hard done by.
INTO have now won 2, lost 2 and drawn 1, and are now sitting comfortably in mid-table. http://ncl.ac.uk/sport/campus/intra-mural/leagues/110724912109unne021l00003.htm
Goals: Oli (2), Ezehiel, Andreas
Man of the match: Oli and Shu
Monday, 9 November 2009
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
not quite the FA cup, but close!
Saturday saw the INTO team take on Newcastle University Reserves 2nd team at Longbenton in the cup; with the University team playing in the top league, this was a fantastic chance to record a cup upset that goes down in history.
With the weather surprisingly warm for November the University team started brightly. Their fast striker was causing problems for the defence and had it not been for Deji’s cool head perhaps the deadlock would have been broken earlier. However, early in the first half the University striker latched on to through ball to drill the ball past a helpless Koji in goal. Soon after they scored their second.
After going 2-0 the floodgates could have opened, but the INTO team battled hard. Some spectacular saves from Koji and a goalline clearance from point-blank-range by Simon kept the University out and the score 2-0. But with 5 minutes before the half time whistle, some creative play by hissa, and andreas in midfield meant that Oli could cause the visitors problems – as he had all half up front – and it was after his fine effort that went narrowly wide. It was this that signalled a change in confidence and soon after abdul rounded three players with the ball to drill it in the bottom corner. 2-1!
With a couple of tactical changes at half time INTO started brightly with andreas and hissa running the game through the midfield which resulted in abdul scoring a second – and well taken - goal 5 minutes into the half; 2-2, and the INTO fans cheering loudly.
INTO continued to battle, but after some changes in the team by the INTO manager to make sure every player got a game the team lost their rhythm and in a crazy 15 minutes conceded 5 goals. It was then that the result was over, but not the passion. Late in the second half both Andreas and Koji showed their passion for the team in having an argument or 2 with the opposition!
Despite the result INTO can take a lot of confidence in the way the played, with the knowledge that they can really mount a serious title challenge now they are out of the cup.
Final score - 7-2 to the University
Goals: Abdul (2)
Man of the match: Hissa and Koji
With the weather surprisingly warm for November the University team started brightly. Their fast striker was causing problems for the defence and had it not been for Deji’s cool head perhaps the deadlock would have been broken earlier. However, early in the first half the University striker latched on to through ball to drill the ball past a helpless Koji in goal. Soon after they scored their second.
After going 2-0 the floodgates could have opened, but the INTO team battled hard. Some spectacular saves from Koji and a goalline clearance from point-blank-range by Simon kept the University out and the score 2-0. But with 5 minutes before the half time whistle, some creative play by hissa, and andreas in midfield meant that Oli could cause the visitors problems – as he had all half up front – and it was after his fine effort that went narrowly wide. It was this that signalled a change in confidence and soon after abdul rounded three players with the ball to drill it in the bottom corner. 2-1!
With a couple of tactical changes at half time INTO started brightly with andreas and hissa running the game through the midfield which resulted in abdul scoring a second – and well taken - goal 5 minutes into the half; 2-2, and the INTO fans cheering loudly.
INTO continued to battle, but after some changes in the team by the INTO manager to make sure every player got a game the team lost their rhythm and in a crazy 15 minutes conceded 5 goals. It was then that the result was over, but not the passion. Late in the second half both Andreas and Koji showed their passion for the team in having an argument or 2 with the opposition!
Despite the result INTO can take a lot of confidence in the way the played, with the knowledge that they can really mount a serious title challenge now they are out of the cup.
Final score - 7-2 to the University
Goals: Abdul (2)
Man of the match: Hissa and Koji
Monday, 26 October 2009
Second win of the season
INTO recorded their second consecutive win of the season in a 9 goal thriller at Longbenton to climb into the top half of the league table. Against a talented Modern Languages side, INTO’s multinational outfit were well-organised and battled hard to master the typically British playing conditions.
With the rain beating down at kick-off time and the ground soaking wet, INTO slipped up in the first 5 minutes conceding a sloppy goal. As happened the week before, however, the response from the red and blacks to going a goal down was incredible. Within ten minutes, the sides were level after Abdul rose above the opposition defence from a well worked set piece, meeting the ball from 10 yards out with a powerful downward header.
Both teams were sparring well, with Modern Languages taking a goal advantage, INTO clawing themselves back to parity. This was the pattern of the game until 3-3, but when INTO scored the fourth goal with quarter of an hour to go, they thought they had done enough to win the match. Modern Languages kept scrapping and soon brought the game back to all square. With ten minutes to go, INTO finally got the decisive goal thanks to Oli after some great midfield approach play. The team worked hard for each other and defended doggedly to claim all three points and move to the respectable end of the league table.
Apart from Abdul’s goal, Oli scored two on his return to the team, and could have had a hattrick in a beautiful sweeping move, only to be caught marginally offside. Another great display from Ubong earned him two goals well timed and well taken goals. All the goal scorers had a good shout of being considered for man of the match, but there were outstanding displays from every player on the field. The stand out performance came from Deji playing his first game in the heart of the defence. He kept his concentration in difficult conditions and won every header and tackle, breaking up attack after attack.
Goalscorers: Abdul 1, Oli 2, Ubong 2
Man of the match: Deji
With the rain beating down at kick-off time and the ground soaking wet, INTO slipped up in the first 5 minutes conceding a sloppy goal. As happened the week before, however, the response from the red and blacks to going a goal down was incredible. Within ten minutes, the sides were level after Abdul rose above the opposition defence from a well worked set piece, meeting the ball from 10 yards out with a powerful downward header.
Both teams were sparring well, with Modern Languages taking a goal advantage, INTO clawing themselves back to parity. This was the pattern of the game until 3-3, but when INTO scored the fourth goal with quarter of an hour to go, they thought they had done enough to win the match. Modern Languages kept scrapping and soon brought the game back to all square. With ten minutes to go, INTO finally got the decisive goal thanks to Oli after some great midfield approach play. The team worked hard for each other and defended doggedly to claim all three points and move to the respectable end of the league table.
Apart from Abdul’s goal, Oli scored two on his return to the team, and could have had a hattrick in a beautiful sweeping move, only to be caught marginally offside. Another great display from Ubong earned him two goals well timed and well taken goals. All the goal scorers had a good shout of being considered for man of the match, but there were outstanding displays from every player on the field. The stand out performance came from Deji playing his first game in the heart of the defence. He kept his concentration in difficult conditions and won every header and tackle, breaking up attack after attack.
Goalscorers: Abdul 1, Oli 2, Ubong 2
Man of the match: Deji
Monday, 19 October 2009
First win of the season!
INTO enjoyed their first victory of the season with a well earned 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Queens Terrace Rangers with midfield general Hissa grabbing a very tidy hat trick.
The two sides battled hard in the first half of an evenly matched game with neither side managing to break the deadlock. INTO enjoyed more possession and the better chances, but couldn’t find a way through. They thought they had grabbed the lead half-way through the first half with Abdulrahim’s looping header clearing the keeper and appearing to cross the line, but inexplicably also clearing the bar. Andreas tried to break the deadlock with some long range shooting, but the radar wasn’t quite working for him in a frustrating first 45 minutes for the red and blacks.
Two well-taken goals in five second half minutes from Hissa saw INTO seize the initiative. He latched onto two long balls from defence before rounding the keeper and firing home from 15 yards. The two goals were mirror images of each other. The first saw him gamble on a free kick down the right flank before cutting in and sliding the ball home – the second came from a free kick down the left side, the result being another composed finish. The third goal calmed the nerves and effectively finished the game as a contest. The only nail-biting moments came after conceding the obligatory weekly penalty, but the resulting spot kick was smashed well wide of Maxwell’s goal.
This was a great result for INTO, however, the side still needs to up the work rate and cut out individual un-enforced errors if they are to continue moving up the table. A better side will punish the sloppy marking from set pieces and will latch onto the loose passes in the defensive third of the field.
Man of the Match – Hissa and Andreas
Monday, 12 October 2009
a game of promise: INTO vs Civil Engineering
Saturday’s game for INTO FC showed signs of great promise for the season ahead despite the league of nations side going down 4-0. The scoreline flatters FC Civille and with a little more luck, INTO could have sneaked a couple of goals.
Going in at 3-0 down at half time was a blow after conceding a harsh penalty and two sloppy goals, yet INTO showed great character and determination in the second half. After the interval, they started the better of the two sides with Hissa and Andreas bossing the midfield and creating a string of good chances. Unfortunately the departure of Hissa early in the half disrupted the team’s flow. When Civille’s fourth goal went in, heads could have dropped and the floodgates might have opened, but the side kept their discipline until the end, and Shu shored up the midfield nicely. Every player grafted and played their part, unfortunately, without really troubling the opposition’s goal.
Not being able to score has been the problem so far this season for INTO, but Yeo almost broke INTO’s duck in the first half. On 20 minutes, the ball fell kindly for him 12 yards out, and with the keeper well beaten, the ball smacked off the bar and out of play. Civille’s stopper was pretty much a spectator for most of the match, but pulled off a good fingertip save at the end of the second half to deny Thewis’s speculative effort. He was, however, the quieter of the two keepers with INTO’s half-man-half-cat-Maxwell pulling off a string of fine saves.
INTO played a controlled passing game at times and competed well against a more physical side. Ubong was a constant thorn in the opposition’s side, and the midfield was solid. What the side needs to remember is that pretty passes and posession don’t score goals, and round the box you have to be much more clinical and direct. Same fighting spirit next week lads, but more shots needed.
Going in at 3-0 down at half time was a blow after conceding a harsh penalty and two sloppy goals, yet INTO showed great character and determination in the second half. After the interval, they started the better of the two sides with Hissa and Andreas bossing the midfield and creating a string of good chances. Unfortunately the departure of Hissa early in the half disrupted the team’s flow. When Civille’s fourth goal went in, heads could have dropped and the floodgates might have opened, but the side kept their discipline until the end, and Shu shored up the midfield nicely. Every player grafted and played their part, unfortunately, without really troubling the opposition’s goal.
Not being able to score has been the problem so far this season for INTO, but Yeo almost broke INTO’s duck in the first half. On 20 minutes, the ball fell kindly for him 12 yards out, and with the keeper well beaten, the ball smacked off the bar and out of play. Civille’s stopper was pretty much a spectator for most of the match, but pulled off a good fingertip save at the end of the second half to deny Thewis’s speculative effort. He was, however, the quieter of the two keepers with INTO’s half-man-half-cat-Maxwell pulling off a string of fine saves.
INTO played a controlled passing game at times and competed well against a more physical side. Ubong was a constant thorn in the opposition’s side, and the midfield was solid. What the side needs to remember is that pretty passes and posession don’t score goals, and round the box you have to be much more clinical and direct. Same fighting spirit next week lads, but more shots needed.
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
What a team!
Sunday was an excellent day for the birth of the newly reformed INTO football team. Joining last years squad are a new - and very talented set of players. We've now got a squad of 20 players from around the world including Nigeria, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Angola and Cyprus. Im really confident for the season ahead.
So this saturday is the first game of the season, and with an air of anticipation we move forward in optimism that this year we can mount a serious challenge for the title!
Full half-time and full time score updates live here on saturday afternoon: https://twitter.com/INTO_Newcastle
So this saturday is the first game of the season, and with an air of anticipation we move forward in optimism that this year we can mount a serious challenge for the title!
Full half-time and full time score updates live here on saturday afternoon: https://twitter.com/INTO_Newcastle
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Expectation awaits...
So the new season has arrived, and with it an new sense of excitement an anticipation. Last season - our first ever - was a resounding success. Whilst performances didnt always go our way, the friendships that was formed have continued long after the 1-0 victory in the final game of last season.
This year we kick off against Tony and the Yeboahs (named after a rather famous 1990's leeds united player). They're a new team so we're unsure of what to expect. First things first though, we need a squad! Continuing to play for the team this season is Hussain, Nick, Yeo and Ubong and they'll be joined by new students eager to take part in the league. The trials are going to be this Sunday and we're hoping (fingers crossed) that among the talented midfielders, strikers and - of course - defenders, there is a goalkeeper in waiting. It's something we didnt really have last year but a role that was filled magnifiecently by Richard - the cat - Maxwell (from finance no less) and Martin Thewlis (one of the English teachers).
As the new season approaches we're all high of optimism, with a feeling that this year we could mount a serious challenge for the title and with it, promotion ot division 2. Follow our journey through Newcastle University's intra-mural league each week here.
This year we kick off against Tony and the Yeboahs (named after a rather famous 1990's leeds united player). They're a new team so we're unsure of what to expect. First things first though, we need a squad! Continuing to play for the team this season is Hussain, Nick, Yeo and Ubong and they'll be joined by new students eager to take part in the league. The trials are going to be this Sunday and we're hoping (fingers crossed) that among the talented midfielders, strikers and - of course - defenders, there is a goalkeeper in waiting. It's something we didnt really have last year but a role that was filled magnifiecently by Richard - the cat - Maxwell (from finance no less) and Martin Thewlis (one of the English teachers).
As the new season approaches we're all high of optimism, with a feeling that this year we could mount a serious challenge for the title and with it, promotion ot division 2. Follow our journey through Newcastle University's intra-mural league each week here.
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