Birkbeck 1 – 2 CSTM

Match Report
Birkbeck 1 – 2 CSTM
Tuesday 17 January 2012, 12-1pm

How Birkbeck came out of this game with nothing remains a mystery. Equally mysterious, at least to this correspondent, were the events leading up to the game’s opening goal, the details of which cannot be recalled here, save for the fact that it was definitely scored by CSTM at some stage before I arrived at the pitch. Regardless, I’m sure it was a fluke and an injustice and we definitely didn’t deserve it.

Club captain Schmidt cut an agitated figure on the sidelines, having also arrived too late to be included in the starting line-up, and his frustration was compounded as Birkbeck soon conceded a second goal. This time, I was there to witness every detail of the build-up, but in the intervening days between the match and this write-up, I’m afraid I’m unable to reveal little more than the fact the shot was deflected, and it was a little unlucky (and a fluke, and an injustice, and we definitely didn’t deserve it etc).

After some minor tactical wrangling between skipper and manager, Schmidt brought himself on to play in the centre-forward position that once saw him earn Birkbeck’s coveted golden boot. The captain’s enthusiasm at being restored to the apex of the team’s attack was evident, not least when he steamed into a challenge with the CSTM goalkeeper with a little too much gusto. (He was alright, really, and the opposition - a sporting, and good-natured bunch – didn’t make too much of it).

Despite some defensive aberrations, Birkbeck actually played very well in this match, and caused CSTM – the league’s top team – problems throughout. A midfield of Kirkland, Tacon and ap Garth were at the heart of the team’s good work, and Schmidt was proving a handful for the CSTM defence.

During the second half, in particular, a comeback seemed on the cards, but Birkbeck’s bad luck in front of goal continued. With ten minutes to go, ap Garth managed to force the ball into the CSTM net, and Birkbeck poured forward in search of an equaliser. In between a number of decent opportunities, Schmidt let rip with a thumping shot that seemed destined for the back of the net, only for it to cruelly ricochet off the inside of the post and back out again.

Alas, it was not to be. On another day, a draw or even a win might have been possible. Special mention must go to the CSTM goalkeeping academy, as our opponents fielded different goalkeepers in each half, both of whom pulled of a series of fairly blinding saves. Oh, and well played to our boys, too. (It was a fluke, an injustice, we definitely didn't deserve it etc etc etc).