Home

News

Results

Team

Photos

Links

Archive

Freshers

E-mail

Paft News

Last up date: 23rd January 2008

There is a game against Civil in a league game this Wednesday, Pitch 5.

We need to win or draw to make sure that we will not be last in the league. If they beat us and win their game in hand against Abacus then we will be last and take the wooden spoon.

Lets hope Phil can get bags of goals against Civil if he gets 4 he will be the leading goal scorer of the league if the others don't get any more, some hope still.

Normal meet at pitches at 2pm ready to play or meet outside the Massey at 1pm.

Please bring your kit and a blue top so we can see teams more clearly.

Can you please email or tell me if you plan not to attend games or trainings just so I know how many people should be turning up.

Dave...

Next week 

6th February 2008
Paft vs. Tech Soc (Friendly to keep us sharp for the league cup game)
Pitch 5

Info

This year I need to get some new younger players so the team can continue in the future years. I am in my final year of Uni and most likely cannot continue to organise the team and the league after this year. Therefore I will be handing over the team after Christmas to anyone who is willing and will be guaranteed to be around for next year  2008/2009 season. The league organiser job will also be up to grabs but the onus maybe on the new Paft captain to continue the league if no one steps up. It was the only reason why I took over, it's not that hard to organise really. I have sorted out all the rules and fixtures for the new organiser.

This means that no one will be allowed to join who is not able to play next year and this also means that there may be competition for places.

Can everyone who now has a kit please wear it. I have three spare shirts for people who have not bought one but that does not mean you can forget yours.

I will assume everyone will turn up for a match unless they tell me. If you don't tell me expect to play less when we next have a match. It is only fair for everyone to do the same and at the moment some people are not even being courteous enough to let me know if they are not turning up.

As always if you do turn up you will get a part of the game, as this is how Paft was started but don't take me for a ride.

New Paft Captain

Well done to Naz who will be the new Paft capatin. 

League Cup

Does any one know of another team that would like to play in league cup Need one more team that can play on 20th February then possibly 27th February and 5th March if they reach the final.

What happens after our exit form the league cup? Well we keep on have some kick arounds most likely at Gloucester Gate, unless of course not enough people turn up (six minimum).

Friendly on 6th February

There is a possibly a friendly match against the team we will also be playing in the cup, I will let you know separately. It will not be posted on the league website.

Reading Week

Don’t forget reading week training. It is in two weeks time please tell if you are not making it NOW. There must be at least six guarantee people to actually have training. 

Paft Night Out
19th March Huntley Street (Medics Union) for 8pm

Paft meet up for drowning sorrows for a horrid season, or if we do win, celebration the league cup. Hopefully that week also having a training session, but I would not be surprised if the very last week there was no training due to lab deadlines. 

(4th years no excuses we have to hand in our reports by the Tuesday – not to mention it is our last year, first drink on Dave)

New Kit

The kit will be the same as the previous kit but for new players as the team is in a bit of a transition. 

I will be contacting people who do not have kit and assume that people who have kit already do not wish another one.

I will require the money by the end of this week. If you bring along £30 along to me then you will get the kit, eventually.

Size you want (i dont mind duplicates),
Short or long sleeves,
Number you want on the back (can be any reasonable number, anyone who asks for pi or similar will get a slap)

The size of the chests are as follows in inches;
M (38 - 40)
L (40 - 42)
XL (42 - 44)
XXL (44 - 46)

As a rough guide no one on the team is bigger than L, they come up quite big.

Currently people without kit are as followed (as far as I can remember);
Naz, Ali, Muktar, Jamil, Dan, Mike, Anders, Callum and Phil - if anyone else wants another one tell me.

New League Organiser + Assistant Organiser

I will not be organising the league next year so I need to know who is before the end of the second term. The failure of anyone to agree to run the league may result in the league closing. 

I took on the league as no one else did and have found it very rewarding. I hope to have someone else to follow and make sure that this league for non-footballing societies continues after all the success that it has had. You do not have to be a captain to take over the league you just have to be responsible and around for next year. Remember it is a commitment that you are making and requires a little time each week to ensure smooth running.

         League

The dates of the matches, information on the league along with fixtures can be found at www.uclgrl.tk.

This website gets updated as often as this one when the season if being played (actually it does get updated and this one doesn't really well not this year!). Please take note of the extensive rules of the league.

Match Reports

I afraid as I did not write all of these accounts closer to the time I seem to have forgotten the majority of things that have happened.

17th October 2007

Paft vs. Tech Soc
2 – 1
Friendly

This eagerly awaited game is normally against Civil however as they don’t have much of a team at the moment they decided to pass up the game to Tech Soc.

The first game of the term was against Tech Soc archrivals from last season that had managed an awesome turn around from bottom to top in one season.

Most of the usual suspects for Paft were there or ill and it was look a little desperate for numbers up until the start of the game. This was Dan’s first game for Paft as a full player after helping out the team last season when there were injuries.

Tech Soc had a mass of substitutes and Paft had one. The first game of the season is normally one in which people tire quickly (or get injured) so the situation didn’t look that good. 

The pre season friendly started out pretty quickly but swiftly the pace slowed. The game turned scrappy and Tech Soc scored with the wind snatching a goal on an overlapping play down the left. Paft battled and managed to get to half time without conceding again.

The second half started and Paft seemed like a completely different team, but not with out a first minute worry with Tech Soc breaking away from the kick off. The combination of the wind in our favour and the mass of substitutions by Tech Soc gave Paft the edge. This was due to the disruption of too many player for Tech Soc and new players getting used to the pace. Under some pressure finally Paft got the goal. It was a nicely popped away by Jaf who seemed to be in a goal scoring situation even though he was playing left back. The game was now wide open and Paft were in the game. The half continued and Tech Soc changed the subs again, the game swung and Paft were again in a bit of trouble. Against the run of play Phil found himself with the keeper rushing out and the ball bouncing up he lobbed the keeper to make it 2 – 1. 

The first game was a little stretched but at times promising. Paft had managed to keep it together to record the first win of the season. Tech Soc had some key players missing so the stronger test would be the game next week in the league.

Jaf out did himself and received the man of the match.

~ ~ ~

24th October 2007

Paft vs. Tech Soc
1 – 5

The hope of a repeat of the pre season friendly was unfortunately not the case. Jamil played his first game, he had left Abacus as their top scorer of last season to play for Paft after changing course. 

Tech Soc had there big players back and they were the over riding difference between the teams. As you can imagine from the cup game last season the tone was a little rough and unfortunately they over whelmed the midfield and had too much pace and strength for the defence to handle. 

Tech Soc scored first, then Jamil scored, but unfortunately the equaliser was the closest the Paft got to Tech Soc. The game went away from Paft and it was a bit of a drumming.

~ ~ ~

31st October 2007

Paft vs. Abacus
4 - 6

After the last game Paft wanted to get back on the right track. Another new player joined our ranks Muktar another striker to add to the firepower.

The game started with Abacus coming quickly through the midfield and swarming the defence. Luckily they couldn’t hit a bran door with the majority of their shots. Paft had the first clear chance when they were awarded a penalty. Paft broke down the right where the ball was passed to Phil who took the ball into the box and got hacked down. Pat (aka sometimes Paft) stepped up like a goliath and smashed it into the top right corner. 

Now things get a little patchy but Abacus took the lead and it was clawed back. I am afraid I cannot remember who scored the goals but if they would like to tell me I will be happy to add their accounts. I have written down that Jamil had scored, how only he knows. The score was now 4 – 5 to Abacus.

This I do know we were a goal down and Dave called a perfectly good offside, which Abacus took offence to. The resulting free kick was lofted in to the box where Muktar spun on to it, now he was most defiantly in an onside position when the ball was played and slotted the ball into the goal. This goal however was proclaimed to be offside by Abacus in a poor effort to call an offside.

This aside the disheartened Paft lost concentration and conceded a goal. The score now 4 – 6 and only moments left to play. An annoying outcome to a game which did not show Abacus to be too much better than Paft, if at all.

~ ~ ~

14th November 2007

Paft vs. Ramsey
4 – 9

This was not a pretty game. Ramsey are the new team in the league and are captained by the able Kass who played some good football for Paft, until China Team dropped out of the league a couple of days before the league was going to be played and he made up a team.

Now this team has had a good results beating Tech soc 2 – 4 in only there second game, so this game was going to be no walk over. It was also Mike's first game for Paft.

This game could be taken apart, each side won one half however one won it a little more convincing than the other. Unfortunately Ramsey were rampant in the first 30 odd minutes scoring no less than five goals. Three were direct football through the centre of the park cutting Paft apart. Then a nice effort from the one and only Kass who somehow managed to send the ball looping into the top corner right over Marco. With Ramsey crossing a ball from one side to another found someone at Paft’s back post and making it 0 – 5.

The next goal gladly was by Paft. Paft won a corner and the ball was swung into the box. There was Steve H for his second goal popping into the net during the confusion. 

Things didn’t go well again and Paft conceded another three consecutive times in passing movements which resulted in good shots which found the net.

There was goal at the end of the half by Phil, to end the half with a score of 2 – 8 to Ramsey. That’s the half which Ramsey won.

Now it was Paft’s turn. The second half started with far more conviction from Paft who had to ignore what had happened in the last 45 mins and play some football.
Paft won another corner. Kieran whipped in the ball and it went into the top corner. It was just the start which Paft needed. In the next 15 minutes, Kieran once again stepping into the box and leathering the ball in the top right hand corner. The score now 4 – 8 and Paft could see some return into the game.

This was short lived after only a couple of minutes from a throw in the ball was allowed to bounce and the ball struck into the far corner out of the reach of the stretching Marco.

This was the last nail in the coffin and Ramsey sat back and absorbed the pressure which Paft were putting them under, safe in the knowledge that they could ride out the remaining 20 minutes with a comfortable win. So the second half win for Paft didn’t quite match the performance from Ramsey.

This was, in short a disaster but Paft can take home the much improved performance into the next game with the knowledge they can compete with any of the teams in the league they just to keep their heads when things start to go wrong.

~ ~ ~

21st November 2007

Paft vs. Islam
3 – 7

This is not the best game for sporting behaviour from the introduction into the league three years ago every games with Paft and Islam has be hardly fought. This was no exception.

With players in need this was yet another game with a new face Ali yet another striker to add the collection Paft are creating.

It didn’t start well. Paft were right in the game putting pressure on Islam but were caught to the break and the floodgates opened and before you knew it Paft were three nil down. This was not helped by the next two goals also going in Islam’s’ favour leaving the score at half time at 0 – 5.

In classic Paft the resurgence was left until the second half when Moussa opened the Paft account with a surging run down the wing cutting in and calmly placing the ball beyond the keeper. This was helped on with Kieran spinning away from a player and taking on the defence to rocket a ball past the keeper. On a roll and Islam reeling a ball was struck towards goal inside the box and blatantly striking the outstretched defenders arm. 

These games have almost always featured some sort of big dispute often offsides but on this occasion a handball. Then compounded with offsides which they contested. This was an absolutely stonewall penalty. However one of their defenders swore blind that it didn’t strike his teammates arm and took a good couple of minutes forcing our view to gain the penalty.

Pat lined up to take the penno, cleanly struck it and it cracked against the underside of the cross bar. Seemingly hit the back of the keeper to cross the line and bounce out. Amazingly Islam thought otherwise and no goal was counted. (Next time someone will be on the line)

Some else scored any help?

The scores now at 3 – 5 and Paft believed if that penalty was in they could probably go on to win the game. It turned out the “save” crushed the spirit and they slide down and let some poor goals in to finish the game with the score at 3 – 7. Once again Paft had won the second half but that was the only thing they could shout about for this game. Shame they don’t count quite so much as the whole result.

~ ~ ~

28th November 2007

Paft vs. Civil Engineers
8 – 7

I apologies now for any goal scorers I forget and also to Phil and Moussa for probably not remembering their goals correctly at all. Now I’m going to take some educated guesses that at least two of Phil’s goals are from break aways, one was a delicate lob and the other a drive from well outside the box which dipped into the corner, as I’m pretty sure he scored 4. For Moussa I’ll go for a couple from the edge of the box placed nicely outside of the keeper possibility from a run, and a low drive from the right hand side scoring 3. That leaves someone who most likely scored from a goalmouth scrap at a push I’ll say Jaf.

A old face was in the team Kris B back in action after some time away working in for a special appearance.

This game was mad. Paft scored first and then were three up. Then Civil came back and it was 3 – 4 to them at half time. Then it was messy, they changed their defence to become attack, and they were fast very fast. As Paft’s defence aren’t very fast this was a problem. The leaders alternated up until the last five minutes when Paft were jus hanging on with the lead. Then Civil broke right down the middle with Marco off his line the attacker chipped the ball it sailed over Marco and just hit the cross bar, fortunately it fell to Dave who managed to head it towards the corner. The ball was then pumped up field. The ball was kicked right down Paft’s throat but the tired defence had rushed up quick enough, even though one of the Civil players didn’t understand that he may have been onside but some one else wasn’t it still meant it was an offside. The ball was booted far off for a thrown in while the dispute was continued. The in the distance the time keepers called an end to the match, which may have been a little short but ensured Paft’s first league victory.

Well done chaps.

~ ~ ~

5th December 2007

Ramsey vs. Paft
4 – 1

Now this was a wet wet day, people where complaining, wanting to call off the game, people did not turn up who were supposed too, there was standing water it was horrible. Now we only had 8 players at the start but after some negotiations we managed to borrow a player as we had a goalkeeper who was a little late to make us up to the required 9 players to start the game. This was the baptism of fire for Naz a defender which was fairly useful and yet another new player.

Considering that they had 11 maybe not there full squad but still 11 this result is in no way a reflection of how well Paft played.

It started well Paft were holding on and Ramsey over compensation in attack. The retched conditions were in favour of the team which were sitting back and when you have nine players then you don’t have strikers but you go on the back foot. The banks of four were holding on, and Ramsey unable to play the football they wanted were frustrated.

The came the break in a large kick from the keeper it went right over the top of Ramsey defence and Phil brushed aside the defender to slot the ball in the back of the net.

Now Paft could hit them on the break, as they had to score. There were a couple of really good attempts to stretch Paft's lead further but there were near misses. Ramsey were trying hard now and managed to over load Paft on the left and then have a deep runner in the middle who received the ball after the goalie ran out the smother the shot.

Paft held out until half time the score was dead even on 1 – 1.

The second half began and the weather was looking better. This did not help. Paft were pinned back and the toll of 11 on 9 and it was showing. Ramsey scored by taking out one of our defenders by standing on his foot as he retracted it not to hack him down, went into the box and scored. Now down to pretty much 8 with another of Ramsey players helping out in the mean while the scored again running with a flat line against the defence and then scuffing the ball along the ground the opposite corner.

It was almost the end of the match and due to some bad luck we were losing. Things got a bit worse when a mix up defence lead the ball to dribble across the goal mouth where it was gladly smashed in.

The game was over it was 1 – 4 and Paft had done a dam good job. With things looking up and our ability to win second halves most of the time should have a slightly better second half of the season.

~ ~ ~

9th January 2008

Islam vs. Paft
5 – 3

The first game of the new term against old rivals Islam. Things weren’t going well before the game when no less that 8 people dropped out in the morning.

Things got so bad that we had to call in a couple of favours from Lee and Darrius, Pat’s manager and Naz’s mate in the first year. Without a keeper it was down to Dave, Pat and Moussa to step up and go in the sticks.

After Islam having complained earlier in the day that they may not field a full team turned up with 11 and from the absences Paft were down to 10. Unfortunately Dave was in goal for the first 30mins, and showed in spectacular form that he was not keeper.

It was going well in the first couple minutes of the game when Paft had a brief advantage of 9 against 8. Pat found some space and rocketed the ball in towards the goal to put it past the keeper to get Paft off to a bright start. The game started and the fragility of goalkeeper situation was soon bared for all to see. The ball was struck by Islam on the edge of the box and Dave who was rooted to his spot put his hands up but the ball sailed over to nestle in the goal. The scores now 1 –1.

Things looked up when the ball was spilled by Islam goal keeper from a long ball and landed to pat. He took his time and lofted the ball into the goal from way outside the box with the keeper in no mans land.

Islam came back hard and went down the channels getting around the edge of the defence and passing to a waiting forward in the box. This happened twice and Islam were on top with the scores at 4 – 2 to Islam.

A change of keeper from Paft and the horrid goal keeping was no longer a part of game. Things began to tighten up and Islam for all there chances couldn’t finish.

The half finished and Paft and after couple of chances in that half and felt they were still in the game. The second half started and it was pretty much a stalemate. Neither team could really get though. In a move down the left Islam had just got past the last defender and managed to get in the box, a tackle came in and the Islam player hit the deck like a sack of potatoes. Islam classically called the penalty from about 50 yards away. After some argument by the Islam players on who would take the penalty it was taken. Pat still in the goal almost got his hand to it after guessing the right direction.

The scores now at 5 – 2 to Islam, it wasn’t the end for Paft there was still time. Paft were now pretty much two banks attack and defence. The ball was taken from the edge of Paft’s area and pumped upfront, Phil latched onto the end of it, turning the defender and at the edge of the box with the keeper running out popped it past him.

With two more goal needed Paft pushed a bit further forward and almost conceded from a Islam break, fortunately their two forwards got in each others way on the six yard box and the ball bobbled into Moussa hands, who had taken over from Pat.

There were a couple of chances for Paft but they went begging and the game drew to an end. The final score of 5 – 3 to Islam.

The man of the match was Pat for his fine display commanding in goal and for his two goals. A pretty good performance considering Dave let in 4 to put Paft on the back foot from the beginning.

Lets hope for a better result against Tech Soc, and a couple more players…

~ ~ ~

16

th January 2008

Tech Soc vs. Paft
4 – 2

After last weeks bitter disappointment against Islam it was the Tech Soc match. Hoping for numbers after last week it was sadly more of the same. Even though Naz had managed to find yet another eager physicist Jamie, that only took our numbers to 12.

The game started and only 10 players were on the pitch for Paft, the other two would have to make it later as it was already 2:30pm. Tech Soc had the normal characters but were missing some too.

Tech Soc got an early chance from a handball, which was one of those where the arms out in a natural position and the ball hits it. It wasn’t intentional but still clearly a penalty. Moussa who was filling in goal, as Marco wasn’t there until a few moments afterwards almost got his hand to it but it was well struck.

Paft at times were playing around Tech Soc with ease but not quite able to finish off the job. Tech Soc were much more direct and presented their strikers with more opportunities on the break but either struck it wide or belted the ball right over the cross bar.

Things went a bit dodgy when a mix up between the defence and the keeper and Tech had an indirect chance from inside the box, after a past back.Tech Soc decided the best for of attack was the quick ball on set plays. The pass was made but Paft had kept their head and managed to rush the shot and it was pelted towards Marco who wrapped up the ball.

The next goal was unfortunately again Tech Soc who came thorough and beat the keeper.

A few minutes later the ball was lost by Tech Soc and Paft recovered it was delicately crossed into the box by Tom, on to a waiting Phil who just couldn’t get the right connection. But it was by far and a way one of the best plays of the game.

Now things start to get pretty scrappy and both sides have good chances that were just saved of the line. To take us into half time Tech Soc popped in another goal. The score now 3 – 0 to Tech Soc. To be honest Paft were still right in there, a couple of good chances went begging but their keeper was keeping them in it.

The second half got underway and as always Paft seem to be able to get on the gas a bit quicker than the opposition. This is when the passing play was getting us down the lines and getting into good positions.

The first Paft goal came from a passage of play down the right it was popped into the box where Phil just got around the keeper to make it 3 – 1.

There was still plenty of time and Paft were pushing Tech Soc down who still hadn’t got back up to speed.

Down the wing Moussa stepped past the bodies and down by the by-line kicked the ball towards and across goal. Phil was waiting in the middle the ball hit him square on and it was a mystery how the ball wasn’t in the net. Moving forward Paft were getting so closer to another goal.

Then a break a great ball forward and Phil latched onto the end and the normal end ensued, the keeper was dragged wide and the ball calmly placed into the goal.

There was only one goal in it and Paft could smell another goal. Tech Soc finally woke up and came back into it. The play was simple now both teams set up with banks of all defence or all attack.

Then on a break the ball down the middle was pasted right though Tech Soc who were cut to shreds, the one on one with the keeper and him managing to get a great hand to the ball to deny Paft.

Tech Soc pushed harder to quash Paft who were really threatening to bring it level and looked like scoring more.

Tech Soc managed to break down the right and drove the ball across goal with Paft’s defenders sliding all over the place. The ball beat Marco but not the post, Adrian after being convinced it was going in stopped swearing and got in the way of the rebounded attempt.

Things were still going Tech Soc way when there main striker completely sold Dave by turning nicely from a high ball in the box and stuck the ball well towards goal, Tom was on hand to save his blushes and play continued.

By now Jamil was like a man possessed, with some nice high kicks to get ball off Tech Soc and some good passes to men in space. 

Then the trouble of only having one sub, Paft were dropping like flies, people who hadn’t played since Christmas were getting cramp. Luckily so were Tech Soc and they lost one of their best midfields which meant they were resorting to simple tactics of lugging the ball forward and powering past the defence by any means.

After Tech Soc had subbing their main striker Paft were really getting close and asking a lot of questions on corners. He was quickly recalled as the pressure mounted seemed to much for them. His introduction pressed back Paft until the end of the game

The worn out Paft couldn’t hold out Tech Soc any longer and even the best efforts going forward were not quite the finished article.

Tech soc scored by getting past the defence from a break on the half way line and popping it past the rushing Marco.

This was one of the most frustrating games to be play in, there were an abundant of chances for both sides but it just seemed to be going Tech Soc’s way. Pretty much everyone had a good game, a couple played out of their socks. The man of the match went to Phil for another great performance. A mention for Steve who played particular well too, some consistent well delivered corners and solid back tracking and passing.

Roll on next week, and the big match against our closet rivals (above us) in the league Abacus. With only two more matches of the season this was the only chance to over take them. The last game might be the one to avoid the wooden spoon against Civil, lets take care of that a week early.