Dyslexic through to final
INTRA MURAL FOOTBALL CUP SEMI FINAL
Dyslexic Untied 2
Garnett 1
Dyslexic Untied threw a spanner in the works of Garnett’s title hopes with a narrow 2-1 victory at a blustery Cochrane Park last Wednesday. An enthralling match saw the boys in red edge out the title contenders thanks to a mixture of some dogged defending at the back, and top class finishing at the other end. Dyslexic have striker Ritchie to thank for this impressive result, with the marksman the epitome of composure in front of goal, bagging a brace for his side.
Garnett never got out of the traps. Whether it was due to a lack of match practice after two weeks on the sidelines, or a sheer underestimation of Dyslexic’s capabilities, the green and black outfit lacked the momentum shown by their previous form. Dyslexic got on top early and dominated all over the pitch, midfield dynamo Mercer pulling the strings for the underdogs. Yet despite their early authority, Untied had nothing to show for their efforts thanks to the safe hands of Pearson in the Garnett goal.
However the simple things evaded Garnett throughout the first half. They were finally made to pay for their sloppy play 10 minutes before the break. A sloppy pass at the back was intercepted by Ritchie, who dribbled into the box unchallenged, coolly slotting home from 10 yards. The half-time whistle was music to the ears of the Garnett players. The second half was as intense as the first. Garnett regrouped and began to play the football that has undermined their impressive march up the table. No less than 15 minutes after the break the game was all square. An in- swinging corner from Kilvington was met at the back post by Danskin who duly nodded in from 3 yards. 
The goal increased the confidence of the Garnett side, taking the game to Dyslexic who seemingly had no answer to the attacking onslaught that followed. White uncharacteristically blasted over countless chances on the edge of the 6 yard box. Only some heroic defending from Marshall and Robinson in the Dyslexic box diffused the spell of Garnett pressure that saw no less than 6 consecutive corners. From a Garnett point of view, it looked like it was going to be one of those days. Nevertheless Dyslexic refused to lie down and die. After a goalmouth scramble in their own box, Untied set off on an attack of their own. The ball was hunted down by tireless striker Andy Matthews who squared the ball to talisman Ritchie.
With only the keeper to beat Ritchie placed the ball beyond the custodians despairing reach to ensure an elusive breakaway goal for Dyslexic. 2-1. Garnett could simply not find a reply, but this was not through lack of trying. Again corner after corner was pumped into the box to no avail. Danskin broke away with seconds to remaining, only to be thwarted by an incredible last ditch tackle by Robinson. It just wasn’t to be for the Green and Black. This result could prove to be vital in a title race that has contained more twists than your average episode of Eastenders.
REAL HUFF AND PUFF BUT CAN’T BREAK THE LAW
INTRA MURAL FOOTBALL DIVISION 1
REAL MA-DIVIDEND 0
BARCA-LAW-NA 0
The Division One title race looks like going down to the wire as Barca-Law-Na finished their season with a goalless draw against fellow title contenders Real Ma-Dividend on Wednesday. Barca must now sit and wait anxiously as both Real and Garnett complete their games in hand; both sides holding three games in hand with which to pip Barca to the title.
In a scrappy game it was Real who created most of the chances. The failure to convert these opportunities has put a major dent in their own title ambitions. The lively Adam Smith almost got the game off to a flying start but his header was easily saved by Ben Hunter. Smith, who was a constant menace to the Barca defence throughout, had another good chance minutes later but he drove wide when well placed.
Buoyed by this early dominance and with a strong wind at their backs, Real then carved out the best chance of the half. Danny Shevill released Will Scales who raced clear of the Barca back line. With only Hunter to beat the frontman dragged his shot agonisingly wide. Barca, missing their influential talisman Satch Patel, eventually managed to get to grips with the wind and could have snatched the lead with their first chance of the game. Matt Morris found space on the left and supplied a deep cross that Matt Kiernan headed back into the danger zone.
Andrew Murray was the first to react but he stabbed his effort just wide. Soon after, Sam Whiteman was unlucky when his effort from Nathan McGee’s free kick was thwarted by Real keeper James Howarth. It was Real though who had the best of the remaining chances in the first half. Again Smith should have done better but drove his shot straight at Hunter while Jack Calvert hit a sizzling drive that flew just past the upright.
The second half proved to be a much more tense affair with neither side taking the initiative. With clear cut chances few and far between, the few openings that were created fell to Dividend. Shevill and Mark Addy combined well to engineer a shooting chance for Joel Clegg but he dragged his shot across the face of goal. Addy himself almost opened the scoring when his pile driver from a partially cleared corner was turned away to safety by Hunter. As time wore on, Real had the best chance of the game to snatch the important three points. Addy robbed McGee on the left and squared it to Scales. But with the goal at his mercy he blazed over leaving the title race wide open.
