On Song River Halt Goon Show

The build up to the match had been low key, but make no mistake about it any slim Chance Crimea River had of sneaking into the promotion slots this season hinged on taking three points from FMRealism's Gooners on Friday evening.

Fortunately for the home side recent managerial appointee came up trumps in the tactical battle and the home side edged a thrilling encounter 2-1.

The game kick off was anything but low key as within the first five minutes Gonners were presented a dangerous freekick opportunity. Ian Wright laid the ball off to Freddie Ljungberg but the mercurial midfielder succeeded only in slamming a ferocious drive into the post. River immediately broke upfield and, on 7 minutes, Andrei Arshavin fired a drive just wide.

On 14 minutes Thierry Henry picked up the games first yellow for a vicious challenge on Gael clichy, a challenge that probably merited a red, and saw the River defender stretchered from the pitch and taken to hospital.
Despite dominating the possession River struggled to break down a resolute Gunners defensive line with Peyton finally wriggling into an inch of space on 25 minutes and curling a delightful shot just a hair's breadth wide of the post.

A moment of hesitation from river defender Silvestre on 29 minutes nearly cost his side dear as Bergkamp springing the offside trap with a ball to Kyle Lang allowing the midfielder to slam an unstoppable shot past the helpless Fabianski. The linesmans flag brought a short halt to the goal celebrations as irate Gooners crowded referee Stefan Offsajed.

As the half petered out the action picked up again with first Wright seeing a curling drive well saved by Fabianski, on fire River frontman Spegel fire a drive just wide of the Gooners goal and Wright again see a miss-hit shot saved by Fabianski's trailing leg as the first half finished 0-0.

And the second half was to prove no less action packed. Lee Dixon picked up his sides second booking for a cheeky tackle from behind on 54 minutes.

On 63 minutes Ljungberg's corner missing everyone in the box, falling to an unmarked Cesc Fàbregas who took a wild swing at the ball, connected horribly and saw the ball bounce awkwardly into the net to put the Gooners 1-0 up. Clearly a strike the visiting fans appreciated as mocking chants of 'You only Press Release when you are winning.' rang out from the away stands.

River equalised almost from kick off, Mikael Silvestre hitting a chip narrowly over the bar on 66 minutes.

And equalise they home side did substitute Thomas Vermaelen chipping the ball over the Gooners back three as Silvestre sprinted free, his lob over the diving Seaman timed to perfection as the ball finished nestled in the net.

The goal and the toll of the previous 76 minutes looked to deflate the visiting side and the last 14 minutes were all River with Alex Song firing home a low drive for the 88th minute winner. though there was still time for the match to finish as it had started, Arshavin teeing up Tomas Rosicky for a freekick and the midfielder crashing his shot into the post.
"Elated, absolutely elated," commented the Crimea River head coach post match, "we didn't really know quite what to expect from Gooners out there. We did follow their a progress for a bit and, to be honest, they seem to be a bit of a circus. But less fun. And with more clowns."
"Obviously Mr. Ealism has popped up with some rather curious unofficial post match comments about how unlucky his side were but, if you watch the match, half their chances were miss-hit shots on goal. As for the offside call, well their lad was more offside than Robbie Keane in Scotland.”
“A little more compusure in front goal and we would have the game sewn up long before the end. Particularly given that we created enough chances to win at least seven games."
"I did notice Mr Ealism had no comment on the injury to Clichy. Challenges like that have no place in football and should be kept to cage fighting arenas. Or Wakefield. It was poor, poor challenge. Fortunately the damage is not as bad as was first feared and the lad should be back in training soon." concluded the head coach.