This was the game last year on 30th Sept 2023, when FCP made themselves known to the rest of the Thurlow Nun League that we were a team that could not only compete but beat the best teams in the division. Having lost 6-0 to Stanway Pegasus 2 weeks earlier (and 3 games in between) FCP produced a well deserved 3-2 win that knocked the opposition off their perch – a few hostilities were definitely expected.

In the first half, the referee was under much scrutiny with regards to his observance of the game and working with his assistant referees. From the opening minutes of the game, Romeo had to shout ‘Ref you have to listen, head injury ‘ to late offside recognition - opposite bench having to shout ‘Any chance decisions being made quicker’, the referee was struggling to assert his authority on the game.
At one point a dubious offside was flagged for FCP and even though we had the ball for 15 seconds, it was kept up for half a minute. The furious Stanway bench of ‘what is happening here?’ was echoing around the ground. The opposition players and bench were putting extreme pressure on the officials.

Aymaan made a number of runs that lead to opportunities, the first of which was in the 2nd minute with a left foot shot that went wide. Zahid was making his customary raids down the left wing and David was looking to be a handful. Ruben wins the ball in the 12th minute and attempts a long range shot which was easily saved.

FCP were almost in on the 20th minute when Mickey intercepted a headed clearance, Dave cleverly managed to guide the ball into the penalty box for Aymaan to run onto but the keeper closed down the opportunity and the chance didn’t quite materialise.
In the 30 th minute FCP had a freekick which was taken by Micky who crossed the ball into the box. Toby (a well earned mention) wins the header and Aymaan had an awkward half volley which was placed over the bar. 2 minutes later a pass from Shaz to Romeo at right back, to a Ruben lay off to Vitor, who made an excellent pass for Aymaan to run on to. After shifting the ball across the box a couple of times, he hit the ball but managed to find the crossbar. One of the best moves of the game!

In the 39th minute there was an important Toby block that was goal bound and an immediate penalty shout. Stanway P had their best period of the half as within a minute they were allowed to run from the half way line which resulted in a good low save from Shaz to his left from 25 yards. A certain goal was prevented as Zahid was able to clear the rebound from incoming pressure. The half was completed with a tip over by Shaz from a free kick and the score remained 0-0 at half time.

The second half started with a 53rd minute Vitor dribble and shot and soon after an excellent Aymaan run down the left and cross into the box. Derick was unable to score - maybe a first time shot was required. There was time for David to head wide from a corner, to a dribble on the left wing to causing great panic in the box.

Goal
FCP were well on top and the inevitable first goal came in the 69th minute after an intervention from Toby, a pass to Aymaan who carried and beat a player down the left wing. After dribbling the ball to his right, Aymaan bent the ball from the corner of the penalty box to the far side of the net, with little movement from the keeper. A right footed Salah type goal and 1-0 to FCP.

A couple of minutes later and Vitor nearly made it 2-0. Good inter-play complemented with a Vitor burst into the box and a left foot shoot beats the keeper but is cleared off the line.

Goal
The second goal was scored after Aymaan chased down a potential break. He passed the ball to Zahid who carried the ball into the opposition heartland. The ball was passed to Vitor who picked out Micky and he picked out the back of the net from the edge of the box ,with a brilliant right foot finish to the keepers left. The opposition were a bit shell shocked but the score was now 2-0 to FCP in the 75th minute.

Within 2 minutes Stanway P had a free kick from 27 yards. The shot was deflected off the wall and Shaz made an excellent save. Having to readjust his body position in mid-flight to get a hand to the ball and then getting up to make a point blank save from a few yards out.

Goal
We did not head the warning as after 3 consecutive corners, Stanway Pegasus scored after the ball bounced into the area and the ball was hooked into the far post in the 79th minute ,to make it FCP 2-1Stanway P.

There was time for a Derick shot in the 93rd minute and a raid down the left wing for the opposition. This was alarming as this was initiated from a quick Stanway P goal kick by the keeper. We were defending a lead in the closing minutes but six of the outfield players were not facing the ball and did not see the ball come into play.

However, we did see out the game for a well deserved 2-1 win. The highlights of the game being Romeo’s multitude of headers and tennis style grunts (more like ahhs-), Shaz’s double save, rock solid defence, a running midfield, strikers getting into the box and of course the 2 excellent goals from Aymaan and Micky.

Now that we have embedded into the Thurlow Nunn league, its time for a new competition . Bring on the FA Vase ! An away game at Step 5 Dereham Town. No idea where it is but history will be made this Saturday. We will be playing for some money. Welcome to semi-professional football !

Goals
Ayman
Micky

MOTM
Ayman

Match Report by
Zahid Bashir