MGBSFL DIVISION ONE

LOS BLANCOS 2 FAITHFOLD A 5

Faithfold were switched on from the start, testing the opposition keeper numerous times in the first quarter of the game. The 4-2-3-1 formation meant the game-plan was to get the ball wide as quickly as possible and keep the tempo going.

The Blancos full-backs struggled to contain livewire David Leiwy and Avi Garson on the  other wing was also causing major problems and both drew a string of fouls. Eventually one of them lead to the opening goal where Dovi Vogel whipped in the free kick which bounced awkwardly in front of the keeper and went in.

The lead was short-lived as only a minute or two later an error at the back allowed Los Blancos back into the game. Nevertheless, Faithfold heads didn't drop and not five minutes later, a perfectly weighted through ball by Garson found Markiewicz who timed his run to perfection, saw the onrushing goalkeeper who had tightened the angles and sleekly chipped him.

Minutes later referee Martin De La Fuente correctly waved advantage as Louis Naghten shuffled past three men whilst being kicked and a la Cantona made it three with a delightful chip from outside the box.

Player-manager Markiewicz, not amused that his chip had been overshadowed by Naghten, joked that now he'd have to score a 40-yarder to headline. His team-mates didn't realise he was serious. Not long into the second half, Faithfold had a free-kick a couple of metres from the halfway line 45 yards out right by the touchline and then tempted by David Leiwy, Markiewicz went for the unthinkable. Not only did it beat the keeper it swerved in all directions and bolted right into the far hand postage stamp. Simply inconceivable.

If you thought you'd seen it all from Markiewicz, you were wrong. The ball was crossed in from the left and on a hat-trick the agile striker came up with a remarkable bicycle kick from the edge of the box missing the target by a few metres. Reminiscent of Sinclair's wonder goal againstBarnsley in the FA Cup.

Zalmi Cohen put the game to bed with a neat side-foot finish into the side-netting after David Leiwy showed good strength in the Blancos box.

With minutes to go the home team were awarded a penalty which was calmly dispatched into the left-hand corner despite Ben Gabay's interesting Michael Jackson moves to try put him off!

A Faithfold spokesman told JC Sport: "After the massive disappointment of last week, we really had to bounce back, and we bounced back hard.

"With almost a full squad available again, we managed to extended our unbeaten run in style against a physical well drilled Los Blancos Side - one of the favourites for promotion.

"The game really ebbed and flowed, with each team having periods of domination, but overall Faithfold had the clearer chances, were better over the 90 and had scored with some real moments of individual magic."