Streets of London 1 - 1 Folsom United

The Streets of London faced-off against Folsom United in the hottest game of the year so far. With temperatures close to 100 F (37 C) the last thing the Streets of London needed were fewer players than the opposition. But in what seemed to be a common recurring theme, the Streets started with 9 players as the game got underway.

Folsom United tried to capitalize early on with their numbers by pressuring the Streets of London. Although fast with their runs, they were unable to find the finishing that they needed to gain the upper hand.

Jon Taylor, after arriving from the dug-out late, made his way onto the pitch with a bottle of Gatorade - a testament to the extreme heat and the capability of such a powerful energy drink. Despite calls from the linesman for Taylor to put down his bottle, he drank it undeterred giving him the electrolytes he needed for the game.

This segment is brought to you by Gatorade. Gatorade. Bring It. Jon Taylor does.


With Taylor now taking the team count up to 10, the Streets were able to apply some pressure of their own. Vadim Winkler was released on a number of runs down the right hand side with through balls from Andy Nelson, Tom Hillesland and Nik Mussor. But temperatures remained high, Winkler was forced off the pitch from over-exertion, although he would later return after a short rest.

At mid-point through the first half a battle down the Streets left side between Mike Lefebvre and any Folsom United player within touching distance resulted in Lefebvre being shown the yellow card for unsporting behavior.

Shortly thereafter the Streets luck would again be tested when Taylor was judged to have handled the ball inside the area. The inbound shot hit Taylor's arm as he tried to protect his body. Although it was clear that there would have been no advantage to either team had the ball not hit Taylor, or as a result of hitting Taylor, the referee saw otherwise and pointed to the spot.

Mohammed stepped up for Folsom United with a clear opportunity to put the away team in front. Don Bradshaw's commanding presence between the sticks was more than sufficient to intimidate the small striker who put the shot wide of the left post.

The Streets would come back from the threat with a vengeance. A poorly passed ball in the middle of the park was intercepted by Mussor who set up Neil Oldham who's one touch strike from 25 yards out breezed over the keeper and into the top of the net.

Moments after the goal later a free-kik on the edge of Folsom United's box presented a second opportunity for the Streets. Mussor and Oldham set up the kick. Oldham launched the shot over the wall, but the keeper was just able to get his fingers to it and tipped it over the bar.

Clearly Oldham has his sights set on the Golden Plimsoll that has been coveted so highly by Mike Daley over the last two seasons.

With the Streets 1 up and the half-time whistle minutes away the first half was almost a wrap. But Folsom United had one more chance to now level the game. A cross from the Streets left side close to the corner flag came in from the setting sun. Nelson was the first to the ball, albeit unexpectedly, and he headed towards his own goal. Bradshaw, predicting the defenders every move was on hand to collect.

Going into the break with the lead was a welcome situation to the home side who were beginning to show signs of fatigue under the heat.

Minutes after the second-half kick off, the Streets would get their third and final shot of the game. Kevin "The Guvnor" O'Brien released Winkler with a perfect pass through the defenders. Winkler, with only the keeper to beat, had to do nothing more than slot the ball into one of the corners. Unfortunately the precision accuracy of the German was more like a misfit from a Russian Lada and the ball sky-rocketed into orbit.

Taylor would again be at the center of some controversy late in the second half. He was clearly fouled on the edge of the Streets 18-yard area as the Folsom United forwarded body-checked the defender. Upset by no foul being given, Taylor ranted and raved at the referee. His (unprintable) words of wisdom fell onto deaf ears and Taylor elected to take matters into his own hands.

The next opportunity Taylor had to tackle a Folsom United player, he elected to play by Rugby Football's tackling rules instead of FIFA's and took the attacker down. The referee clearly had no choice but to show Taylor the yellow.

It would be in the next three minutes while Taylor served his sin-bin time that Folsom United would capitalize and find the equalizing goal.

In the space left by Taylor's departure from the field, Folsom United's midfield used the gap to slide the ball through to their strikers who found the back of the net.

And as the game came to a close there were more close calls for the Streets of London as Nelson had two more shots at Bradshaw, although Bradshaw was more than equal to the defender turned striker.

After the game Kevin "The Guvnor" O'Brien was frustrated on many fronts and he wasn't shy about verbalizing his disappointment. "I was expecting a full squad. I had commitments from players and some of them just didn't show. The lack of discipline cost us 2-points as well. When we are already under pressure from having less players, it's 100 degrees out the last thing we need to do is lose our cool. That's what happened. We very nearly lost all three points, we are lucky we came away with a draw."

The Streets of London will be playing their next game at home against F.R.O.G.S on July 7th. Hopefully the long weekend will give them an opportunity to regroup and get their heads back in the game.