RISSC 2 Capital Canaries 10

Sunday 21st January 2007

Under strict instruction from the older, wiser, (gayer) heads of the Capital Canaries squad, this match report will steer clear of abusing the opposition and instead concentrate on giving stick to our team, although that will be difficult as Norwich produced a storming performance that swept aside a Republic team who on paper looked like tough opposition.

The long, arduos journey to LPR club was made less stressful not only by the pre-match visit to Admiral Callum's Ship, but also by the size and quality of the LPR pitch which suited the free flowing game that Norwich were about to produce. Regular Keeps Ian Mcmeckan was unavailable due to band commitments, so Norwich's trusty No.2 (soon to be No.1) Big Mike stepped in between the sticks. Tom Boucher slotted in at RWB in place of the 'loved up' Thom Perrett in a descision that would normally have shocked the portly, vertically challenged wide man, however he is so in love at the moment he didn't care.

The pre-match teamtalk focused on the need to 'get at 'em' from the off and try to blow away the opposition before they knew what had hit them. This plan worked an absolute treat as within barely a couple of minutes Norwich netted. A long, accurate ball from Slater, who has recently been blossoming in his new role as sweeper, was flicked on by Davies and Gallagher raced in behind the green shirts to fire into the top corner from 18 yards. Cracking goal and a cracking start to the game. Things were to only get better for Norwich though and after a good exchange of passes with Utting on the left hand side Gallagher ran at the Irish defence and swept home from an angle nutmegging keeps in the process. Soon after a defensive error let in Davies to cooly slot away his first, and his second followed soon after following another well taken goal by the record breaking forward. 4 nil to Norwich and as planned the Irish did not know what had hit them. Utting was to join in the goalscoring fun by finshing with his 'swinger' after Gallagher cut the ball back from the byline, and there was still time in the half for Davies to complete his hat-trick with a goal that I cant remember, but probably set up.

Half time provided the opportunity for plenty of back-slapping in the Norwich camp but wary of the fact that the wind could change the game (yeah right)! The second half would see the introduction of Gappy in place of the 'G' man who fancied a fag (why not have Slater) and also the introduction of the new Jelbert who after all his graft this season got his rewards in the shape of goals. Jelberts first came when Gallagher unselfishly squared to gift him an open goal, his second came with a great finish after Gallagher caressed the ball through for him ( hmmm I see a pattern emerging here) and his third was another goal I cant remember, it does get difficult when the score is so high! Danno Taylor showed everyone he is back in business with a towering header from a corner, a trademark Taylor goal, assisted this time by the graceful Tett.

There was time left for Jelbert to show himself up as an ungrateful bastard by refusing point blank to pass to Gallagher, despite promising earlier to help him notch his hat trick goal. There was time also for Perrett to join the fray and fall over a few times but what did he care, he is in love.

MOTM: Gallagher

B. Mike 8

Showed good distribution and confidence in testing conditions

G. Howard 8

Continued recent good form until removed due to injury

B. Slater 8

Showed why they call him Glenn Hoddlebone (they dont really)

D. Taylor 8

He's back, I hope he's keeping that shield clean

T. Boucher 8

Energetic performance and I'm sure got an assist in there somewhere

R. Utting 8

What else do you expect from the consistent skipper

G. Tett 8

A 'Tettbook' performance

I. Jelbert 9

Jel showed the whole package in this game

A. Callum 8

Have you seen this guys house

M. Davies 9

Loves scoring goals, and is damn good at it

C. Gallagher 10

Couldn't handle him, much like the Eltham Police Force

M. Barrett 8

Had a fight with my grandad

T. Perrett 8

Slotted in well despite having his head in the clouds

A. Higgins 8

Manager of the year can play a bit too you know

London Hibs 1 - Capital Canaries 1

Team line-up: McMeckan, Slater, Taylor, Howard, Perrett (Boucher 60), Jelbert, Tett, Wilson, Utting (Barrett 70), Galagher, Davies

Mild weather adorned an important Sunday for the yellows – the first of 2007. 17 fit and health canaries turned out to take on London Hibs, a team under-achieving at the bottom of the league but with a reputation for being a footballing side. All the lads knew they had to be up for this one, and Higgins was no martyr to this prophecy; motivational printouts were stuck on the walls of the dressing room and the pre-match huddle was energetic and ladenned with expletives….have it.

The line up was the brain-child of Norwich trio Higgins, Utting and Slater who decided to keep much same personnel as that which beat Exeter before the winter break. A key change was ‘keeps who was welcomed back to the starting 11 and looked stunning in a new bisque yellow jersey, fresh from his Saturday night out.

When the game kicked off the Scottish lads were quick to start and enjoyed the better of the play - showing some quick passing moves and making life uncomfortable for the yellows. It was against the play then that a determined Perrett run and cross was met by Utting 10 yards from goal, only for the ball to deflect wide off a beaten keeper. Hibernian pressure told though. At the other end a long ball and a well intentioned header back to the keeper from Taylor somehow made its way into the net and saw Hibs get their noses in front - extreme bad luck, but seemingly the kick up the a*se all the boys needed. 1-0 Hibs.

The midfield started to move from the kick off. Jelbert, Wilson and Tett took responsibility for a man each and led the physical battle, backed up with the enormous presence of Howard who threatening to hospitalise anyone within 40 yards of him. The ball finally came under control and that meant the two “wide” boys (Perrett and Utting) could get into the game. After half and hour some nice passing between the backline and Utting eventually found Jelbert who unleashed one from outside the box, but was well saved. Slater flew through a Hibs man and Tett picked up the ball and got a shot off as well, to the same result. Davies was tireless in his chase up front and when he was cynically wrestled to the ground 25 yards from goal it was refreshing to see a beautifully prepared free kick routine from Wilson and Perrett – or should that be just Wilson – the result being another save from the keeper. Better from the yellows but still not the silky football of pre-Christmas.

Late in the first half warnings came from the Hibs front man that the midfield trio should be careful not to tire themselves out and that signified a swing in control. By half-time Galagher had luckily escaped with a booking for some heavy petting with the Hibs centre half and Tett also picked up a petulant yellow for obstructing a free kick. 1-0 down, but performing better, Higgins’ job was to encourage more of the same…

Norwich emerged from half time with no changes. The message was that the play needed to be quicker, the wide men needed more of the ball and the physical challenge had to continue. >From the kick off Wilson released Galagher who breezed past the pedestrians in the Hibs defence, but his crashing shot was only good enough for the side netting. Slater, Howard and Taylor found the feet of the midfield men and Utting in particular made good use of the ball - beating the right-back every time. The Hibs midfield were tired and that meant more football could be played through the middle. Jelbert’s fitness was massive and he did a lot of work which meant Tett and Wilson could have the luxury of scooping up the second ball. The canaries created numerous openings and finally they broke through. Davies went clear and his hard work created a corner. Utting swung in a clever low one, Tett flicked on, a melée in the box followed and who else but Davies was there to poke one in. Game on nd advantage yellows, 1-1.

Boucher came on for Perrett and he continued the excellent work already shown in keeping the clever Hibs left midfielder quiet, as well as giving a master class in the dummy scissor kick. Gappy came in into central midfield replacing Utting, with Tett moving to left wing. This provided extra pace and creativity to stretch Scottish legs - and within minutes it worked. A Gappy run created a free kick and later he looked certain to score at the sharp end of a neat move involving Taylor, Bouch and Galagher, but the ball crept wide. Late on Wilson unleashed a shot / cross and that was the end of the goal bound threat. A worrying moment at the other end was Hibs only true effort of the half but was brushed aside from the Norwich central three who deserve special merit for their monumental 90 minutes.

1-1 it finished, scant recognition for a game donated by the canaries showing the trademark heart and fight. Still unbeaten and over the potential Scottish banana skin…roll on the next one.

MoTM: Greg Tett