Good Sunday game at Palumbo between the Dalton clan and Irish Times. Andy, refereeing solo, set the tone with a pre-game talk that helped keep the match competitive and friendly. Both teams started a man down and got an extra player a few minutes in. However, the Irish lost Mark V. a few minutes later and played the remainder down one. Less a hindrance on Palumbo though, as both teams moved the ball well and had their chances, including a Lance header off the IT crossbar, but the half ended zeros.

Second half started similarly for the first 10 minutes and then the Associates started to press their advantage and put IT back on its heels. The Irish looked to play through Big English at the 5 spot, with youngsters Jake and Koffi running down the wings, and Ian and Andres finding space to operate when possible. On the other side, Reggie and Ian thwarted the youngers and Shane seemed to get every ball and start the attack. Ali & Luca moved the ball fluidly and looked to spring the forwards. Mike moved out to the wing 2nd half and worked to break around the corner, while Rob Fennell exploited a tired IT back line, finding the seams on the other side. With 10minutes left though, IT got their goal against the run of play. Ian was fouled 20yards out and bent a perfectly placed ball over the wall, in the top corner and out of reach of a diving Conor. The last 10 minutes saw the Daltons press hard, including one near miss where Rob sliced through the middle, around the keeper, but was foiled by a goal-line block by Cullen’s backside (loudly confirmed for all of Palumbo). In the end, Zach, Dave Ramsey and especially Kev in goal held the line. Game ended 1-0 to the Irish.

Many thanks to Andy for the great job solo reffing, and to both teams for playing hard yet friendly – good Sunday stuff.