TM Ireland - Trophymanager Ireland

It had been a very good start for Irish clubs with PND and Teabag both claiming excellent away wins. However, they knew they couldn't be complacent and had to carry on those great performances in their 2nd. games last Tuesday.  On the same day, Le Sharks and Askeaton also got their UETA Cup campaigns underway. Here's a summary of how the 4 games went...

Athletico Teabag 1-2 Bushon

Teabag had started well with a win against PROHOMA but knew they were in for another tough game as they took on the Bulgarians at Atletico Teabag stadion.

And it started really badly for the former Irish NC, with the Bulgarians taking the lead within 1 minute of kickoff. T. Kutzov beat B. O'Connell on the left wing and crossed it in for T. Aladjov to volley the ball first time to the net. It was a real blow for teabag but they fought on and competed well for the rest of the half.

Both sides created numerous chances in the first half, most notably Kalin's headed chance after 21 minutes. However, that was just about saved by L. Mladenov to keep it at 1-0 at half time.

The first half was a good game of football, but the 2nd half was only going to be even better! Both teams have good attacking players and they were very adept in creating goal scoring opportunities. In the 49th. minute, one such opportunity led to Bushon's 2nd. goal.  S. Kostadinov sent the ball through to T. Aladjov who had made a clever run through the heart of the defense. He immediately hit a superb 30 yard shot to the back of the net.

It looked bad for teabag but they didn't give in and they pulled one back 5 minutes later. F. šída lined up a free kick just outside the box and proceeded to curl it beautifully into the corner of L. Mladenov's goal. That goal revived their hopes and they got another boost with M. Chakarov's dismissal 4 minutes later. They pushed on and Kalin and McNelis had some good chances to grab a point.

But, unfortunately, it wasn't to be. The Bulgarians showed just enough class to see the game out and take the points. So now they lead the table with 4 points, but teabag is still 2nd. with 3 points.

Man of the Match: T. Aladjov.The OM played excellently and grabbed 2 fine goals.

Pirate Ninja Dinosaurs United 1-2 Fc Klodian

PND also had a good start to the campaign but they were coming up against former European runners-up and were certainly underdogs for this one! And like Teabag, they suffered the worst possible start.

After 8 minutes, some fine short passes sent M. Sloboda away and he coolly finished the ball to the net. They looked to be pushing on then and completely dominating as they created more chances. Despite this, PND managed to equalise after 29 minutes against the run of play. A long kick forward from keeper C. "Manager Shot My Dog" Govi gave S. Thompson a chance and he blasted it home from distance.

From then on, both teams retreated slightly and attacking play and scoring chances were at a premium. The best chance in that time was probably Tully's free kick just prior to half time but it went just over the bar.

Eventually, though the Slovakian side managed to reatke the lead. In the 69th. minute, a cross in led to a diving header by F. "El Serpiente" Vcelák. Despite Govi's best efforts in the PND goal, the ball went past him for 2-1. From there, PND threw everything at Klodian but to no avail. N. "Porthos" O'Connell and Tully in paricular came close but the Slovakians held out to take a valuable away win. They are top with 6 points and PND is 2nd. with 3.

Man of the Match: F. "El Serpiente" Vcelák. The experienced was fantastic as usual and grabbed a crucial winner for his side.

Le Sharks 1-0 sk Granvin

Le sharks began their UETA group with a home game against sk Granvin of Norway. They had gone far in last season's champions cup so hopes were quite high in advance of this game.

It was a quiet enough opening to the game with the only events being Clancy missing a chance for sharks and G.Hatlem doing the same at the other end. After 27 minutes, though, sharks were given a boost by P. "The Block" Skurdal's sending off for a second yellow.

Encouraged by this, sharks piled on the pressure and I. Pancu was unfortunate to see his header stay out in the 34th. minute. It was level at half time though but sharks kept attacking in the second half and kept getting closer to the lead goal.

Finally it came in the 77th. minute and it was a piece of magic that created the goal.  D. "The Class" Cassidy picked up the ball in the opposition's half. He turned and passed it to B. "Slicks" Grande at the edge of the area. It didn't look like much was on but he had a go from distance. The keeper had no  chance as the ball flew excellently into the corner of the net.

From there, sharks looked for a 2nd. and nearly had it late on. J.Neill won a penalty at the end and took it himself. Unfortunately, he struck it very poorly and it went to the right and wide. It didn't matter though as Le sharks had secured a winning start to pool 2.

Man of the Match: J. Soltvedt saved plenty of shots from Le sharks' strikers and kept his side in it for most of the game.

Gazija 1-1 Askeaton

Askeaton were in Bosnia last Tuesday to kick off their UETA Pool 16 campaign. They were favourites for the game but had to be careful as they travelled to take on a very difficult side.

And, the Bosnians began the game well. They played great football and put the FAI cup holders under pressure. After 3 minutes, they had the opening shot at goal but Š. Matušin was denied by D. Matthewson. They continued to play very well up until the 38th. minute when they managed to take the lead. N.Pekas attacked strongly down the wing and fed M. Grebičević in the penalty area. He was left free by the defenders and had all the time he needed to chip the ball deliciously over the keeper for 1-0.

This woke the Irish side up and they attacked vigorously from then on.  D. McDermott almost scored before half time but his shot went slightly off target. Askeaton dominated the 2nd half though and created a plethora of opportunities.

It looked like the Bosnians would hold out until 3 minutes from time. P. Pasamontes moved up field with menace and played the ball to D. McDermott in the box. He overran the ball but somehow pulled off an acrobatic, overhead backheel that brought the ball down in front of him! That left himwith the rather easy task of volleying the ball past the keeper's despairing dive for 1-1. G. "Ziki" Ziskason almost won it then from an A.glynn pass but a draw was a fair result.

Man of the Match: N. Pekas was superb for the Bosnians throughout.