Unrest at Underdogz

A solid 2-0 win for Underdogz United at the Surprise Stadium over Hun Haters today was overshadowed by controversy and injuries as United claw their way towards safety while the Scots remain firmly rooted to the bottom of the table.

It was a classic Izuka win as he and his side used the first half to analyse their opponents before retiring to the dressing rooms at halftime for an inspiring pep talk from the manager. However, Izuka had to improvise as his plans were ruined by Nani's injury early in the 19th minute. Lawrie Gow, who had picked up a booking for a similar offence in the fixture between these two sides at Scotlands Shame earlier this season, finished off the fleet-footed Portuguese winger with a brutal two-footed lunge. Izuka quickly brought on Aaron Ramsey instead, and the young Welsh star did not disappoint.

Vice captain Izuael Clichy then messed up his manager's plans for the next match against Kirkbride Strollers as he picked up a booking in the 23rd minute for asking for a booking for Gow to rule himself out of the next match. Henning Bade escaped without a booking, though, as the adventurous, young captain avenged his teammate, Nani, and gave his team a bigger challenge by forcing Celticchris to take off Nigel Bruggink for the more experienced Craig Elliston in the 31st minute.

The hosts came out after the halftime break with all guns blazing after their manager's inspiring speech, though, and it was no surprise that Zlatan Izuhimovic soon netted the first goal, Ramsey pulling the keeper out to his right before passing the ball for Izuhimovic to calmly place the ball into the bottom corner of an empty net in the 49th minute with an unnecessary flick of the ball followed by a sidewinding scissors kick, which earned him the Man Of The Match award. Ramsey then had a chance for himself in the 65th minute, but though he did well to reach the ball, his header was just inches over the crossbar. Finlay MacCleir tried to hit back for the visitors, but his diving header was right into Izu Casillas' grateful arms.

Bade did much better than MacCleir in the 81st minute as he combined wonderfully with fellow young midfielder Ramsey to work out a new set piece strategy. Starting inside his own half, a 30-yard sprint followed as Bade dived headfirst into the ball to send a bullet into Boruc's top corner after Ramsey had pulled the corner back onto the edge of the area. Unorthodox, yes, but certainly effective.

Jeremy Cumming then steered a shot towards the bottom corner, but Izu Casillas had it covered as he watched it over the line for a goal kick. Ted Caird was guilty of squandering Hun Haters' final chance as, a yard out from goal and with Casillas horribly out of position after wrongly estimating the flight of the cross, Caird sent a header almost straight up into the air, to land on the roof of the United net. Robin van Izu almost made it 3-0 deep into injury time but Boruc made a spectacular leg save from the low blast from the freekick.

"The whole team is doing well, but I was very impressed with Aaron Ramsey in particular. Next up, we will be travelling to The Bush, where I hope to give some of the reserves a chance to play," said Izuka after the match.

However, the injury to Nani and the suspension of Clichy means Izuka may not have that chance if he wants to pick up any points at Kirkbride Strollers. Also, the players are feeling uneasy after Izuka announced that he has signed a deal with a senior player from rival club Totaalvoetbal. Meanwhile, new goalkeeper Jean Bartolo, newly promoted from the youth team, is rumoured to be surplus to requirements, which has caused great outrage among the United faithful, especially as Bartolo is the grandson of United legend Joe Bartolo, who scored over 300 goals in 276 matches for the club, and the son of John Bartolo, the son of United legend Joe Bartolo, who scored over 300 goals in 276 matches for the club, who had a short spell at United in the 1990's.