Birkbeck 0 - 1 MediaCom

Match Report
Birkbeck 0 - 1 MediaCom
Wednesday 13 October 2010, 1-2pm

After this match, the MediaCom skipper sent a message to the Birkbeck manager to the effect that they always enjoyed playing against his side. While this was, no doubt, a malice-free, well-intentioned message of good sportsmanship, given the previous history of results between the two sides, one of the following alternative intepretations would also have been legitimate:

1. "We enjoy playing against you because we always win"
2. "We enjoyed playing against you this time because at least you put up a bit of a fight, not like the last match, which you may recall as a pretty one-sided affair"
3. "We enjoy playing against you as you don't dispute each and every free-kick decision, especially since you got rid of that argumentative Swedish defender"

Anyway, this was a decent result against a strong side, achieved by a hastily-assembled Birkbeck team, many of whom were introduced to each other for the first time ten minutes prior to the match. After Dei-Boateng and Miller failed late fitness tests, emergency reinforcements were called for and, faced with the eleventh-hour prospect of manager Parrott donning the gloves and Throup playing outfield (a terrifying prospect for both, had it been necessary), the transfer window was crowbarred open in order for Sean Gainford, Nye Nduka and Trevor Pearce to make their Birkbeck debuts.

MediaCom began strongly, taking an early lead after an opportunity on the edge of the box was finished in some style, following some frankly very decent football. As shoulders slumped it seemed another defeat was in the offing, but to their credit Birkbeck came back into it, with Walters and Nduka combining well down the left, and the latter fashioning a decent opportunity for himself after a strong run, flashing a shot just past the post.

Despite the occasional hairy moment in defence, Birkbeck continued to pose an attacking threat. Arguably the best chance of the match fell to skipper and central defender Schmidt, who had drifted upfield with the cavalier attitude of a man who had to leave for a meeting at half-time, but unfortunately failed to provide the kind of finish that had once seen him win the coveted Birkbeck Golden Boot (it's true).

Birkbeck were forced onto the back foot as half-time approached, but though it seemed manager Parrott's unfortunate habit of blowing the whistle once the opposition's closing-half pressure turned into a goal was set to afflict his team once again, the interval arrived with the score still at 1-0.

After words of cautious optimism were exchanged, the match re-started as the first half had finished, but rather than crumbling under pressure, their makeshift defence stood firm, marshalled well by second-half substitute Pearce. This was the Birkbeck of old: coming up against a strong team but managing to stay in the match and looking to nick a goal on the break.

A draw seemed within reach, but to be fair MediaCom continued to create the better chances, with a low cross narrowly evading the outstretched boot of an opposition striker with the goal at his mercy, and a strong shot thumping against the foot of the Birkbeck post in the dying seconds.

Still, after conceding some unfortunate goals against ITV4 in the previous match, Birkbeck deserved a bit of luck this time around. Credit to all of the Birkbeck team for this performance, and special thanks to all the new players for answering the call at short notice.

Next up: Birkbeck vs. Limeys (no, I've no idea, either)