FC77 Rangers 6:1 Wolfhounds FC

FC77 Rangers 6 - 1 Wolfhounds FC

(Radigan 2'; McConnachie 15', 25', 35', 75'; Muralt 55' - PK)

Starting XI:

Silverman, goalkeeper

Calkins - Bauman - Pullen, fullbacks

Snyder, holding midfielder

Sibanda - Radigan - Muralt - Burden, midfielders

King - Switzer, forwards

Reserves: Ingersoll, McConnachie, Fahrbach, Bennouri

The 'Hounds of the Burgervilles

(with apologies to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle...

there isn't much that rhymes with "Baskerville")

In the fair Rose City two soccer teams did play,

A proud footballing tradition long established this way.

"The Blue Monk Derby" as the match was known,

Bragging rights to the victor and three points to own.

Clad not in sexy black, Rangers donned yellow,

Defending the Powell Street End? Wolfhounds (Hello?!)

Referee Ernesto was late, but at least he did arrive

Perhaps he thought the match started at five?

With a blast of the whistle 'Hounds kicked off; their attack well set!

Two minutes later Radigan put the ball in their net.

Ahead 1-0, 'Gers didn't stop there.

Bullie hit the crossbar, King went wide by a hair.

Another header just missed...so many shots to start the game...

Until in the fifteenth minute a goal by James!

He got 'round the sweeper (injured ankle) who said

He wanted to be named in this post: Hi Fred!

McConnachie's next goal he also claimed proudly.

Complaints about interference vocalized loudly

Ernesto was unmoved. James just shrugged.

Maybe he wouldn't have been open if that hole in the back line was plugged?

Our fullbacks made some clearances. Bauman "made friends".

Silverman didn't need to do much, as it tends

To be the case when 'Gers is always on the attack.

There's not much to defend when the ball is not anywhere near your back.

James got his third with a cheeky chip off the pitch

Then boldly proclaimed, "That's a hat trick, bitch!"

Up 4-0 by half, the game out of reach,

The mood became disgruntled...a sportsmanship breach.

Nabyl got forearm shivered..then another foul most heinous!

By the same central defender: What a first-rate anus!

In the second half the smack-talk was getting a little spastic

While happily, on the sidelines, Junior Rangers did gymnastics.

Fifty-fifth minute, hand ball, 'Hounds box...more misery still

Muralt steps up, slots left, now it's 5 - nil.

Then a turn of fortunes back at the other end,

An errant hand ball in our box. 'Hounds send...

Miguel to step up and try to earn their first goal,

Aaron's unlucky and the strike finds the hole.

The last thirty minutes is a testy affair.

Wrestling on corners, pissy comments everywhere.

Bauman gets carded for a tackle around the eighteen

And thus would ensue the match's ugliest scene.

"I think the ref's biased!" they cry. "A red card it should have been!"

"Back off!" 'Gers sneer. "We would still beat you with ten!"

The free kick goes wide...it hardly bothered our keeper.

We also get flipped off: Stay classy, Big Sweeper.

James poaches a sixth off a wild goal mouth fumble.

Down by five, however, there was nary a mumble.

Play goes on for another quarter hour

Unlike past Derbies, the mood is definitely sour.

Another caution produced, this time to Burden

'Hounds' Brian twisted his ankle; he looked to be hurtin'.

All around a fine scoreline, same as last fall.

A win, fourth in the table, and I didn't lose the ball.

But as the sun drops low and beckons a pleasant night,

One 'Hound is still angry and looking for a fight.

He drops f-bombs around the kids and screams from the fence,

Bauman doesn't back down and the moment is tense.

OK, 'Hound Dog: You're pissed off, we get it, but...

Just know that next week you're going to get killed much worse by FC Hut.

Match Notes...Attendance was estimated at a dozen...Junior Rangers were Kendall Ingersoll and Stella Bauman...Rangers extend best wishes to former player Mark Vogel for a speedy recovery from recent surgery, which, without going into detail, sounded really, really, really bad...The new black adidas kits were showcased and will be worn for the first time next week...You know you don't want to miss that action!

Next Match:

FC77 Rangers v. FC Bridgetown O-30

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Cleveland High School

10:00 AM Kick-Off

"Remember 'Gers greatest victory ever?

I'm positive our opposition does."