Match Review: Gaulois Sports Club vs TGA Rangers FC

• DF Oussama Labib
• MD Francois Bazin
• ST Eric Clermont
• -- Anthony Hernandez
• -- Guillaume Jeannerot
• -- Rahul Poolanchalil
• -- Bertrand Mametz
• -- Lionel Bastos
• -- Remi Tache
• -- Mathieu Debrand
• -- Adrien Dambre

• -- Hugo Tauler
• -- David Gerbaulet
• -- Joaquim Bellmunt

OG s mission was simple. Challenge the futur 2019 champions. Delay their title has much as possible, make sure they do not celebrate in front of us, and get the 3 points to reach for the podium. A bit of a failure but nothing to be ashamed of. OG played some really great football and got beaten only in the dying minutes by a Sharples on fire. OG starts was as always very sloppy (just copied pasted this sentence from previous report). We conceded 2 goals within the first 20min to make it look too easy for Rangers. 2 Long run from Sharples that made no mistake to beat the keeper twice from thigh angles. Slowly OG started to take the possession and control of the game as Rangers were going for a breather after a very intense 20min. Fortunately for us, Ouss was our man on fire during the 2st half, and he first back passed to Eric for the first goal, and then with 5min to go managed to win his 1vs1 against Rangers keeper to level us up before half time. During the second half OG was probably the team creating the clearer chances hitting the bar twice and missing big chance with Remi passing back to Hugo who could not convert. But on the other hand Sharples create a brace of chances on his own ending up a flying shoots. Ultimately, he got his hat trick at the 45th min from another 50m run and then kept composure to win his 1vs1 against Rahul. 3-2 Congrats to Rangers for the win and most importantly for the Title. Definitely the most consistent team over the year with only a few points drops on the way. And for OG, a good lesson learned today. Everyone back to the gym for some fitness work with 25 days to go before the cup final. MOM Rangers: The tall guy upfront.... MOM OG: A few good candidates, with Adri playing one of his best game with OG, Francois at the back, but Ouss for the man of the day with a goal and an assist.

• Adam Erickson GK
• Fraser Anderson DF
• Jonathan Cloak DF
• Hiromitsu Nakaue DF
• Jordan Laing DF
• Chris Jones DF
• Ryan Shanter MD
• Paddy Sutton MD
• Jim Goudie MD
• Nathan Bryer MD
• Mike Sharples ST

• Victor Felicia MD
• Aaron Clancey-Agius ST
• Eugen Chaljavin --

The Battle of Waterloo

There had been much hype in TGA about what sort of night lay ahead if Rangers were able pick up the 17th win of the season. The title was in touching distance, but with OG in the cup final, TGA knew they were in for another tough encounter, the game did not disappoint. The match started at a frantic pace. Thanks to a 5pm kick off, TGA could play two Scotsmen in the midfield. Fraser and Neil covering plenty of ground. Jordan, Nate and Paddy pulling the strings allowing TGA to have the better possession. After a couple of half chances TGA were able to score two goals in quick succession. The first - Neil played a nice through ball, which was coolly slotted home by Sharples. The second - came from a rising header from Fraser, Sharples sent all 21 players the wrong way with a turn (or mis control will let the pundits decide that one), before sliding the ball into the net. TGA had one hand on the title. However, as always the French worked their way into the game. TGA struggled to obtain possession. Injury to Jim after a solid first 20, meant Paddy slotted into left back, with Taishi coming onto the wing. Suddenly the giant French midfielder was controlling the game and seemed to pick up every loose ball. Both French goals came within a matter of minutes, both down the same flank, Oussamla making another pacey run down the left crossing in for Eric to head home. The second Oussamla rounded the keeper before passing into an empty net. Adam managed to make a few good saves, keeping TGA in it at half time at 2-2. The half time talk re-iterated that TGA needed to keep the ball and move the ball quicker round the park. Nate put the Moscato out trying to motivate us, but was re assuring us of nothing, other than we are short on budget for Moet. The second half started better for TGA. Paddy, after a couple of dodgy first touches at left back came into his own and Hiro was his usual self driving forward down the flank. JC and Beatt were setting the tempo – moving the ball quicker round the back for the team. Chance after chance fell to TGA - Sharples missing from 10 yards out and Neil decided to square the ball with goal gaping for him to score. Changes were needed, Jordan and Nate making way after putting in a shift. Eugen and Victor coming on to utilize the increasingly large space as the game stretched. Just like the first half, the French got better as the half went on. Hugo (a new father – congrats!!!) added more pace up front and a Napolean like Remi ensured the war cry was strong as the French came close, hitting the top of the bar. The old guard in JC, Beatt, Hiro and Paddy (surely the oldest combined back four in the league) managed to hold firm, soak up the pressure until Taishi went through on goal surely to score? The back four beginning the victory run, only to hit the post. It was end to end stuff… as the clock struck 90, the subs in Aaron and Victor were making a difference. Eugen with his fresh legs won possession and laid the ball through for Sharpy scoring a clinical third goal. The title is ours and we thank the French for an epic game to round up the season. Best of luck in your cup final (Allez les bleu) and see you next year for more battles. A great squad performance from TGA showing grit and determination to get across the line. Thanks to the officials for just about keeping up with play on the day. ''Girooouuud let the dogs out'' on Saturday, all onside as always!