Notes
The first player is the "home" player, the second player was the "away" player and had to use the small Subbuteo or Zeugo style goalkeeper.
Fri May 1, 09: Simon Hutchinson 1 v Steve Tucker 2 (HT 1-1)
Goals
First half
5:56 1-0 Simon
12:07 1-1 Steve.
Second half
14:08 1-2 Steve.
Pitch : Black pitch, San Jacinto, Simi Valley
It was raining during this game and with the garage door open the humidity made the pitch and the figures "stickier".
Comments:
Steve: I had all the possession in the first ten minutes and I felt 80% of the ball was in Simon's half. He got his once chance and took it well. The next five minutes were more balanced and funnily enough I got my goal. Second half was overall even, except I felt I had the majority of chances and I felt that gave me my goal.
Simon: Disappointed to have taken the lead and then given away the equalizer. I felt I had held my own for long periods of the game and felt very disappointed to have been scored on right at the end of the game.
Fri May 1, 09: Kevin Nieman 1 v Steve Tucker 3 (HT 0-2)
Goals
First half
7:56 0-1 Steve
14:58 0-2 Steve.
Second half
0:33 1-2 Kevin
10:57 1-3 Steve.
Pitch : Black pitch, San Jacinto, Simi Valley
It was raining during this game and with the garage door open the humidity made the pitch and the figures "stickier". Kevin was full of the flu.
Comments:
Kevin: The first half I was on defense the whole time. Couldn't retain possession and it was murder trying to stop Steve's offense. In the second half I scored quickly, which was rather against how I'd been playing the whole match. I thought that goal would have sparked more offense and while I had chances I couldn't finish. And Steve put the game of [my] reach.
Simon: I felt my flicks were very good, better than the previous game. My short flicks upfront got Kevin nervous and with his being sick he did not have his usual excellent flicks. Especially on offense where he would normally retain possession and not give me much opportunity to attack. I was very happy with the goals. I think my third goal was candidate for goal of the season. A roller from the left side of [Kevin's] defense, striker on the right side came through to put it away.
End of Stage One
Start of Stage Two
Fri May 8, 09: Championship group
Simon Hutchinson 1 v Wayne Smith 2 (HT 1-1)
Goals
First half
1:25 1-0 Simon
9:48 1-1 Wayne.
Second half
4:06 1-2 Wayne.
Pitch : Mawra, Porter Ranch
Comments:
Simon: The game opened so well of me with a great goal from a slow build up on the right, a push through Wayne's defense, and a chip shot to the left of his goalkeeper. I had a chance to go 2-0, but missed the far post by an inch. Then, alas, I gave him a free flick in my [shooting] zone which lead to his equalizer. Then in the second half I missed the ball in my shooting zone leaving Wayne to shoot before I could get my left hand on the goalkeeper.
Wayne: Sometimes you have to win ugly. Neither of us were flicking well at all. The first five minutes were a nightmare. I think I made three good flicks in all that time. I was lucky to be down 1-0. I started flicking better and forced a free kick in Simon's [shooting] zone, which resulted in a pretty decent goal. The game winner came from a hope that Simon would miss the ball. He did and I managed to hit the ball into the net before he could grab his goalkeeper. I knew if I tried to touch up he would have had a good grip on his goalkeeper making my shot more difficult. I was quiet lucky in the game.
Fri May 8, 09: Championship group
Wayne Smith 0 v Simon Hutchinson 0 (HT 0-0)
Goals
None.
Pitch : Mawra, Porter Ranch
Comments:
Wayne: Simon played like the old Simon, but only slower. He was bordering on delay of game with his deliberate corner kick flicks and throw-in defensive flicks. He played really good defense. The one chance I had in front of goal with the ball an inch from the figure it happened to be one of the players with a loose base and I got nothing on it. I cannot afford to play with eight figures, it is just not worth it.
Simon: My defense played well, and I managed two good saves with the small goalkeeper with shots from either wing. I had one shot that beat Wayne's goalkeeper, but struck the foot of the post and went out from a goal kick. Another was well saved by Wayne. All in all a better result [than the previous game], although I felt I played better in the first half of the first game. This result means that I have drawn both of my "away" games against Wayne this season [see here for a report of the previous tie].
Fri May 15, 09: Wooden Spoon group
Jason Mitchell 1 v Dominic Hutchinson 0 (HT 0-0)
Goals
Second half
11:15 1-0 Jason.
Pitch : Rookery, Maricopa, Simi Valley
Comments:
Dominic: I felt the match went well. I felt Jason's goal was very lucky, and although I did not score a goal I felt it was a spiritual win for me since I had four shots to Jason's three.
Jason: I felt I totally dominated possession without having too many shots. Overall I felt I deserved the win. As for Dominic's quote... unbelievable.
Fri May 15, 09: League Cup Semi final first leg
Steve Tucker 1 v Simon Hutchinson 1 (HT 0-1)
Goals
First half
6:57 0-1 Simon.
Second half
14:13 1-1 Steve.
Pitch : Drey, Maricopa, Simi Valley
Comments:
Steve: A little disappointed to not come back. My touch was fair. Simon managed two or three shots, and his defense held me. For part of the game all of our men were in one half. I need to learn to defend like that.
Simon: I am disappointed to have conceded another late goal when playing Steve. My goal was a great shot to the left of his goalkeeper. Three minutes later I had another shot that cannoned off the crossbar. At least I have an "away" goal to take to the second leg.
Fri May 15, 09: Wooden Spoon group
Dominic Hutchinson 1 v Jason Mitchell 1 (HT 0-0)
Goals
Second half
10:37 0-1 Jason
13:36 1-1 Dominic.
Pitch : Rookery, Maricopa, Simi Valley
Comments:
Dominic: I felt I played really well in the last two minutes of the last half. Otherwise, I felt I did average. I'm going to leave it at that.
Jason: Totally dominated the game again. Numerous shots without a save [by Dominic]. A goal to Dominic which was the best goal I ever conceded in Subbuteo.
Dominic: I think he is lying about the possession.
Kevin (referee): I agree with both [laughter]. Jason owned possession, and Dominic's goal was a cracker. A 14 inch strike on a shootable ball to tie [the game].
Fri May 15, 09: League Cup Semi final second leg
Simon Hutchinson 0 v Steve Tucker 0 (HT 0-0) aggregate 1-1
Simon wins with the "away" goal
Goals
None.
Pitch : Drey, Maricopa, Simi Valley
Comments:
Steve: That was probably the most outstanding defense I have had against me. 90% of the game was with 22 guys in the one half. [I feel] A little exasperated. Congratulations to Simon, good luck against Wayne.
Simon: A good defensive game, and I got what I deserved. This was the first game in the League cup to be won by the "away" goal. The cup run is making up for my disappointing league form.
Fri May 15, 09: Championship group
Kevin Nieman 1 v Steve Tucker 2 (HT 0-0)
Goals
Second half
3:05 0-1 Steve
9:35 1-1 Kevin
12:57 1-2 Steve.
Pitch : Drey, Maricopa, Simi Valley
Comments:
Kevin: Steve had the run of play in the second half, after a first half of chaotic misses. Both goals in the second half were thrillers. Steve really worked for his winning goal, and deserved this win.
Steve: It was a fairly typical Steve and Kevin match, minus the quality. Possession and shots favored me. I felt a little lucky to get the second goal that I didn't think would come.
Fri May 15, 09: Wooden Spoon group
Jason Mitchell 1 v Dominic Hutchinson 0 (HT 0-0)
"Neutral" game, both players could use the goalkeeper of their choice.
Goals
Second half
14:28 1-0 Jason.
Pitch : Rookery, Maricopa, Simi Valley
Comments:
Dominic: I am going to be like Jason... I felt I totally dominated possession. My shots on goal did not go on target like they should have. Jason's goal was extremely lucky, and against the run of play.
Jason: For the third game running I totally controlled the game. I needed only three defenders back as all the action was in my opponents half. I think I deserved the win. The goal was very late. But seven points out of a possible none was a great night.
Fri May 15, 09: Championship group
Kevin Nieman 1 v Simon Hutchinson 0 (HT 0-0)
Goals
Second half
1:50 1-0 Kevin.
Pitch : Drey, Maricopa, Simi Valley
Comments:
Kevin: This was the result I expected from the home team. I felt the play was fairly even. Simon was really bearing down. I felt I was fortunate to win this game.
Simon: I am disappointed to have lost. After Kevin's goal I felt I had most of the play and pressure. I kept pressing and I, as usual, missed too many of the final flicks when getting lined up to shoot. I was counting on it to win this game and the home leg to stand a chance of finishing in third [place]. Now I'll just have to beat Steve.