LUSL Barts vs ICSM 1s (H) - 05/02/2024
My brain is frazzled after this week. Strap in for the first of three match reports written in a delirious state.
LUSL Bart’s headed to Poplar Baths to play ‘ICSM 1s’ on the eve of the 5th February with a full team and a big dream. And more importantly the return of Rula to the pool. With eyes set on the prize, we would have to wait to start the game until the politics of LUSL regulations were debated on the side of the pool.
After intense discussions we agreed to play ‘ICSM 1s’ (IC1s). The whistle went and with full force the play began. Lumpfish was busy lapping his player back and forth, with them struggling to keep up with his speeeeeeeed. Wobbegong played as if he’d never been away, sticking to his player and pressuring turnovers. Meanwhile Tadpole Balint took the opportunity to send one flying past their goalie, a beautiful first goal for the game. Anglerfish got fantastically wriggly in defence, much to the referees dislike, leading to a man down. Flaccid Brexit put great pressure on his player leading to multiple turnovers. Tadpole Josie was speeding down the pitch with every counter. 1-3 to ‘ICSM 1s’.
The second quarter saw some beautiful play attacking the deep end goal. Lumpy swiftly winning the swim off and seamlessly assisting Balint with another beautiful shot. Tadpole Kev played strong on the wing, feeding the ball into the arc. Flaccid took the opportunity to sling one in again, and then as quickly as we lined up swung one in again. Helsinki held her player strong, not allowing her player to even think of receiving the ball. Balint gave a masterclass, scoring a hat trick on top of his first two goals. Anglerfish showed she was a force to be reckoned with, swiftly turning over the ball to allow a strong counter. Lumpy taking full advantage to sent one into the back of the net. 8-6 Bart’s.
After a motivational halftime talk we set our sights on the second half of the game. Tadpole Mary glided into the pool and stuck to her player like superglue. Tadpole Josh now in goal, sent it up the pitch to Flaccid to score yet another goal. Leech got a little bit too naughty in pit, and was sent to sit on the naughty step and think about her actions for 20 seconds. Inspired Anglerfish got a little but naughty too, and soon found herself on the naughty step, like mother like daughter. Tadpole Josh held strong in goal, despite seeing two balls for every one that came towards him. 9-12 ‘ICSM 1s’.
With the end in sight, our goal was still achievable. We got back in hungry. Lumpy showed ICSM some real speed in the swim off. Helsinki and Tadpole Josie held their girls tightly, not letting them out of their sight. Giving Flaccid the chance to wriggle free and score. Anglerfish was busy minding her own business when the referee decided to send her to the naughty step again. I know, Angerfish wrapped? What was going on? And what was that we could here? Hips don’t like? Wobbegong with his poms poms, insisting we needed more PASSION, once a passion master, always a passion master. Clearly shakira helped, Lumpy took back to back successful shots. Tadpole Josh’s eyesight finally returning enough to only concede one goal this quarter. But despite our best efforts the score line sat at 12-13 to ‘ICSM 1s’. The final whistle blew. What a match. What fantastic play. But unfortunately we don’t like crumbly cookies. And the cookie was crumbly today. But none the less what an epic performance from a magnificently consistent team yet again, I couldn’t be any prouder of my team.
Player of the match - Wobbegong for finding time to play for us when we needed him, playing like he never left, and being the best hypeman Bart’s has seen.
Goals Scored:
Balint - 5
Christian - 4
Liam - 3
