For the most a tight game which wasn't without incident. OPS pressured for much of the first half with their clearest chance being a long shot from Ray as he made space for himself in his own half. GEOG marked well and gradually throttled OP'S neat passing game until the 5th minute when a run down the wing was finished neatly in the top right of the goal.
OPS collected themselves in the second half after the setback and nearly scored when their midfielder was put through. He chipped the keeper, but unfortunately for OPS - the goal as well. Perhaps this wasn't spectacular enougth for him as two minutes later a GEOG shot flew up in the air off OP'S 'keeper. He took the ball cleanly on his thigh and pile-drived it home from the half way line to make it 1 - 1.
As both teams saw the oportunity to win the game grew ever heated and not until Ray got booked for a second vicious tackle did the teams calm down. This led to the last minute being a free for all as shots rained in at both ends, both 'keepers earned their Friday beer this week.
ZOO's first half performance earned them maximum points this week against an inconsistent but improving UCLH. A scrappy goal opened ZOO's account in the first minute, but they were quick to prove it was no fluke with a shot across the goal to the bottom left a minute later.
UCLH's 'keeper caused as manyproblems to his side as the opposition as he continually threw the ball as hard as possible at his players. This saw possesion being lost constantly, but a contensious goal goal in the 5th minute was nearly all ZOO could do with such liberal possesion. The original shot was heading over head height untill it hit another ZOO player's face. It then rebounded off the wall above the goal and went in off the 'keeper's back. ZOO added their last in the 6th minute when a great through ball was deposited in the top left of the goal.
UCLH started to get their act together by the second half and some crisp play saw a defence splitting pass being finished in the top left of goal. ZOO looked sheepish and UCLH added another after good pressure with a thunderous drive in the third minute. This seemed to go to UCLH's heads as the game looked open for at least a draw, but rash play rarely wins games and neither side came up with anything notable for the remainder of the game.
The championship was kept alive by a rampant ULU side. CCFC could have done little to prepare themselves for such an onslaught which comes at a time when complacency had crept had crept into CCFC's game.
ULU started the landslide of Labour election victory proportions in the first minute when a neat through ball was cut into the top right of the goal. CCFC unphazed by the quick goal set about their business again but ULU had other ideas. Continous pressure saw reward in the second minute as a shot bounced of the post and a ULU player put the rebound through Heagney's legs whilst CCFC stood frozen. CCFC still would'nt snap out of their trance and it wasn't untill the third goal went in did they start to worry. ULU's forth was a classy affair with a pass hit against the wall, it rebounded sending the ball flying behind CCFC's defence and the waiting ULU player slotted home. Banks exited for Hajisavvi but he had little influence for the rest of the first half
Little change in the pattern of play in the second half and a square cut ball fed the running player who then powered home to make it 5 - 0. CCFC's only reply came a minute later when Walsh grabbed his 32nd of the season with a great turn and shoot goal. ULU answered in the same minute with a pass across the goal mouth and a tuck into the bottom right. CCFC were distraught by now and ULU finished the punishment in the 13th minute a cross goal shot.
This may well give CCFC the kick up the bum they needed to win the championship as the return game with the Logica Bamboozlers looms with renewed significance.