Football in the Bulgarian community

Match Day 4

Home to Chargan

This was a big game for us today, Chargan are below us in the league and we desperately needed to win and put a small chink of light between ourselves and the bottom of the league.
The signs were ominous as five first team players were working and unable to start which meant we started with a back consisting of two fifteen year olds, a fourteen year old supported by a 33 year old and me at the tender age of 43.
What the younger players lack in experience they make up for in work ethic; they listen to my instructions and do exactly what I ask.
Unusually today we got of to a solid start working hard, marking tight and giving very little away. In the 17th minute we took the lead when Angel got on the end of a Vesi throw-in and put us 1 up.
We continued to press and prevent Chargan from creating anything.
At the break it was 1-0 and drummed into the players that it was only halt-time and we needed to put in another 45 minutes like the first and that we could win if we did.

The second started and we continued where we left off and within 5 minutes doubled our lead. Good work from Ilian at the back led to a pass to Rusi who dummied and let the ball run through his legs, Kuncho ran onto the loose ball and cut it back to the edge of the box for Dimitar to blast into the top corner, unstoppable, and in my opinion the best goal I have seen in a long time.

Again we worked hard and concentrated on the job at hand, we made 3 substitutions in the second with Kolio, Vesko and Trancho coming on for Tosho, Ilian and Angel, hoping that the more experienced players would help us safely through to the final whistle but when Chargan scored with 15 minutes to go it set up a nervy finish, and when Kuncho failed to supply the touch needed to put us 3-1 up you could feel the tension creeping in. Chargan in fairness pushed us right to the end but it was not to be for them and we ended the match 2-1 winners.

Although this was a close result today I feel this was probably our best match to date, we kept our discipline and continued for the full 90 minutes. I am extremely proud of the lads today and looking forward to the future, I have at least another 3 youngsters knocking on the door and believe the future is very bright for Gagarin football club.
It is however the present that we need to work on if today can be repeated every week we have every reason to feel positive.
Man of the Match today is Ivan our Goalkeeper, although he did not have a lot to do, he did pull off some outstanding saves to preserve our lead.
Next week home to table toppers and last seasons champions Elhovo, we would just love to cause a shock here but will need an almighty effort.     
 
Many thanks

Darren


My Thoughts

We turned up at 3, (for a 4pm kick off) to get the nets up and get the team ready, there wasn?t anyone there, but soon 2 reserves turned up, then a few kids (fans) and by about half past, there were virtually none of the first team choice actually at the pitch!!
At this time Chargan had arrived and started kitting up.
By 20 to, with frustrations showing via mutterings under his breath, Darren was trying to sort out who was playing and with 5 key players doubtful for start up; the team was looking decidedly dodgy.
Luckily for us there was an official delay, so by 10 to Darren had decided that tough, the team we have now is what he will work with regardless if so and so player turned up and he can be put straight on, if they can?t be there for the start then they will be reserve and not be put straight on.
Kolio turned up 5 mins before kick off at 4.15 pm and despite calls for him to start, Darren stuck to his word and he spent the first half on the bench with obvious frustration.
Chargan looked far better even in warm up with a much older and experienced team; I was feeling this would be a washout!
I couldn?t have been more wrong, our young inexperienced team defended brilliantly, not allowing Chargan in, and when we scored in the 17th minute, (older Angel) we could all feel the WOW!!
No-one could argue that Gagarin where playing their socks off, this young team were doing fantastically well against all the odds.
5 mins before half time, Trancho and Vesko, turned up and Kolio replaced young Ilian who came off with the biggest grin after setting up the 2nd cracking goal (Dimitar) 5 mins into the 2nd half, and about half way through the 2nd half Trancho and Vesko replaced young Tosho who played uncomfortably in left back but Darren reassured him he was doing a fantastic job, and Older Angel came off too.
The team continued to battle away with a few missed chances, and then Chargan turned up the heat when their big goalie swapped shirts with fellow team mate, hoping to make a difference, but sadly for them it didn?t matter, despite it being a little close at times we clung onto our lead and remained the victors of the game!!!

Agree totally with the Man of the Match being our goalkeeper Ivan, every week despite not wanting to be goalie and being soo small, he pulls off some spectacular saves.
Despite Darren?s reservations about starting him each match, young Avram is proving to be every inch as good as the rest of the first choice team, in fact better because he listens to Darren.

The league table is looking good as we are moving UP it!!
As soon as it is updated I will publish it in the League Table section.

Last week the match between General Inzovo and Tenevo was disrupted when a Tenevo player suffered a badly broken leg, so the 2nd half of the match is still to be played with Tenevo 1-0 up.

This weekend Krumovo are celebrating 400 years, so there are lots of celebrations over the weekend and whether this will help Gagarin?s performance is anyone?s guess!
The match was supposed to be away at Elhovo (group leaders) but will be at Home as the mayor wants the match to be part of the celebrations that Krumovo have a football team after more than 35 years.
As yet it still has not been decided if it is to be Saturday or Sunday, will keep you informed.

Thank you to Jeanette and Keith as always, and for going off to get some water for the thirsty team!!  Hope you enjoyed your muffins.

See you next time
Nikki

Gagarin FC is sponsored by:
KitAid
A Devilishly Handsome Man
A couple who want to remain anonymous