BASOM 0 - 5 Streets of London

The Streets of London took BASOM to the proverbial cleaners last night in a rampant display of superior footballing skill, the win putting the away team at the top of the table, if only temporarily.

Kicking-off into the setting sun with an ambient air temperature of 88 F, the Streets of London were ready to quash the home team rivals.

BASOM began rather lethargically and it was evident that the Streets fitness might be a crucial indicator in the outcome of the match. The early accurate passing was also indicative of what was to come.

The first real threat from the Streets came when Vadim Winkler, recently returning after extending his contract with the club by another three years, made a dramatic run down the right flank after receivng the ball from right-back Andy Nelson.

Winkler's pace easily surpassed the BASOM defenders and the cross into the box was almost enough to see Dave Scribner capitalize.

Moments later Ed Gatjen, who also returned to the team after his apparent abduction the prior game, made a similar run down the left after receiving a through ball from Tom Hillesland.

With attacks occurring down both wings, BASOM were stretched the width of the filed. Each time BASOM made an attack, it invariably spread their offensive line thinly, causing the midfield and defenders to pull out. This opened up the space for the Streets to counter with [very] surprising speed.

The BASOM back line was in such disarray from the get-go that their offside trap was beaten time and time again by the Streets forwards.

The first goal came after an "inspired" substitution. Scribner was pulled off to be replaced by Kevin "The Guvnor" O'Brien.

The very next attack began when Nik Mussor put a ball through to O'Brien on the edge of the BASOM 18-yard box. O'Brien set up Daley for the shot, but the BASOM keeper did well to stand his ground and block the first attempt. As the ball dropped back down from the save just inside the 6-yard area, Daley rose to head volleyed the ball home over the top of past the keeper.

BASOM tried to counter after the restart but could do little to thwart the energy of the Streets. 10 minutes later the Streets would be two goals ahead.

Mussor's throw in deep in the BASOM half of the field found Bobby Madriago. A swift turn from Madriago and a deft touch into the path of the energetic Winkler was enough for the German to strike low into the bottom right of the goal.

With the Streets 2-0 up so early into the game, BASOM began to get agitated but were able to keep their composure enough to break the Streets back line.

A through ball to a BASOM forward found him almost one-on-one with the keeper. Fortunately Nelson was fast enough to get back and put the ball wide of the post before the shot was taken.

In what would be the first of many bizarre decisions, the referee called an indirect free-kick inside the 6-yard box. The resulting shot was easily deflected off the line by Gatjen.

Moments later Nelson was again at the center of a questionable call. A loose ball midway in the Streets half was picked up by Nelson. As he turned to launch it back down the right wing, he was shoulder barged by a burley BASOM midfielder. Holding his ground, the midfielder merely bounced off Nelson and hit the ground. In bizarre call number two the referee called a foul against Nelson.

The noise from the crowd was deafening but the referee wouldn't be undone by the decision.

Thinking there couldn't be any more poor decision so close together, the entire field was again stunned when a deliberate back-pass from a BASOM defender to the goalkeeper was considered a legitimate play.

The poor decisions, although in the favor of BASOM, went against them as the Streets resolve to find another goal set in.

Late in the first half Nelson throw-in almost at the corner flag found Winkler. The german turned on the edge of the 18-yard box and laid the ball back to O'Brien who chipped the ball just past the penalty spot and into the path of Neil Oldham. Oldham's speed (practiced from his driving skills) was enough to get to the ball first and slam the ball into the net for the third goal of the night.

Realizing that the potential for a whole host of goals was on the cards, O'Brien put another perfectly placed ball into the path of Steve Sims. Somehow Sims managed to put the ball wide of the left post and collapse over the top of it at the same time despite being no more than three feet from the goal mouth. The stadium erupted with a chorus of chanting as Sims piked himself up.

Sims is clearly magic
He wears a magic hat
And when he saw the ball near goal
He tripped up over that

Which was soon followed by

Sims Ohhh
Sims Ohhh
He went round Dave and Joel
He missed the open goal
Sims Ohhh...

Just as the first-half came to a close, the crowd felt the tension in BASOM's defense. BASOM's central defender picked up a yellow card for engaging in unsporting behavior when he got in a verbal dispute with one of the linesmen.

The half-time break must have had plenty of words of wisdom from O'Brien in the dressing room. All too frequently we've seen the Streets ahead by two goals, occasionally three, only to see them throw it away in the second half. Tonight would be different.

After the break Sheik's Baxter and Wylie both took to the back line and it wouldn't be long before Baxter would be called into action to clear a shot from close in.

BASOM tried to break down the Streets and for a few minute began to get the upper hand But it would all come to nothing. The easy passing would return to the Streets and the low through balls would keep finding the wingers and forwards.

15 minutes into the second half and the fourth goal was in the back of the net. Mussor crossed the ball to Scribner who shot home. There is still controversy over who actually scored the goal, although it has officially been given to Daley who's shoelace touched the ball as Scribner's shot went across the line. It is possible that the official goal tally might still end up in Scribners favor once the still and video evidence has been gathered.

Another break for the Streets 2 minutes after the fourth goal sealed the win. Hillesland put a fantastic ball into the path of Mussor who's shot easily found the back of the net after a short sprint towards goal.

By this time there was nothing BASOM could do to get back into the game as their fans began to exit the stadium.

With little to nothing to do all game, Don Bradshaw wondered back to the tunnel as the game was called for full time.

After the match we caught up with O'Brien who was clearly ecstatic over the win. "Fantastic, simply fantastic. I had a great game. The boys had a great game. Steve could have scored if he had his eyes open on that sitter, but apart form that I don;t think we put a foot wrong. Did you see my assist?"

When we asked Steve Sims about the miss he had a viable reason for not finding the back of the net. "There was a total eclipse today. I think that is what threw me."

The Streets go top of the table until the Arsenal result comes in when they could drop back into second place. But the win clearly shows they have the ability to outplay any team in this league - as long as they don;t give away the game in the second half. And last night, they definitely didn't let it go.