Streets of London 0 - 3 BASOM

The Streets of London suffered a heavy loss last night in their home game against local rivals BASOM and a seething team manager had words for one player after an emotional outburst set tempers flaring.

This match was always set up to be a grudge game after the Streets victory in the same fixture last season was sealed in the last minute of the game. That 4-3 thriller was exciting for the fans, but the visitors on that occasion vowed revenge. And tonight they succeeded in their efforts.

The Streets were missing a few key players for the match among them defender Jon Taylor, who was out of commission with a suspected case of H1N1, and midfielder Vadim Winkler was mysteriously absent. Scribduction followers are looking into his disappearance.

The home team were eager to get the game underway when Kevin "the Guvnor" O'Brien was heard shouting instructions from the sidelines. In what appears to have been an incredible case of premonition, he was shouting at his players instructions for what was to come.

The Streets kicked off the game and within seconds they found themselves a goal down. Midfielder Neil Oldham picked up the pass as it game from the center of the field and laid it out right to right back Andy Nelson. The pass was unbelievably short allowing a BASOM forward to intercept and split the defense between Nelson and Tom Hillesland.

Despite the attempt to close the gap, neither Hillesland nor Nelson were able to get between the shot and the goal.

This certainly was a wake up call, but one that the Streets failed to adhere to and within 5 minutes of the restart they found themselves 2 goals behind.

Another sloppy pass in midfield gave the ball away and BASOM were able to lay the ball to the central forward who charged down to the 18-yard box. A lay-off to the right found a second forward who drove the ball home.

The Streets looked stunned, as they should have been, for giving away two sloppy goals in the first few minutes.

But the carnage kept coming. Another attack down the Streets right flank was thwarted at the 13 minute mark when Ed Gatjen, coming back to defend under heavy pressure forced a BASOM player to make an early commitment into the box. Nelson was on hand to clear but only as far as a corner kick.

The Streets set up to defend the corner from an eager BASOM assault. As the in-swinging ball made it's way over the center of the 6-yard box a lone, unchallenged BASOM forward rose to head the ball home.

15 minutes in and the Streets were three goals behind. Visions of years-gone-by in which the Streets suffered heavy losses must have circled in the players heads. It was enough for them to pick up the tempo and start to fight back, but the poor passing and scrappy last touches did little to help the effort.

The Streets had a few chances late in the first half, but with the exception of a Tom Hillesland shot going wide of the right post, nothing really threatened the BASOM goalkeeper.

With 15 minutes left in the first-half, the home fans went crazy after the BASOM goalkeeper started to waste time with his goal-kicks. But the frustration of the hoe fans, and the team, would only deepen over the course of the second half.

BASOM didn't make as much progress when the second period got underway. The Streets managed to play a lot better football than the poor performance in the first half. But the Streets would suffer another injury blow after 55 minutes when Mike Daley was forced to come off the field with a groin injury.

Tensions were rising fast and a free kick conceded on the edge of the BASOM area by the Streets was the last straw for Wade Mitchell. A verbal confrontation with the referee resulted in the midfielder picking up a yellow card. He was lucky he didn't get a red when his frustration continued to boil.

Despite the roar of the crowd, O'Brien could be heard screaming at his player [WARNING: Adult words were used. Lock your kids up before reading on]: "Wade, if you ever want to play on this ****ing field again, get off the ****ing field and shut the **** up".

It couldn't be a clearer message from the team manager - and was one that Mitchell heeded, if begrudgingly. Mitchell was seen by supporters shortly after racing away from the stadium in his Ferrari.

For the remainder of the game the Streets applied pressure to BASOM, but nothing was going to fall for them. A lone strike by Sheik Andy Wylie was hoofed skyward over the bar as the fans chanted "Skylie Wylie shoot the ball, Skylie Wylie shoot the ball".

The Streets did get another scare late on as Nelson cleared a ball in the general direction of his own goal, but it went well wide of the right post and Don Bradhsaw was unfazed by the attempt.

A few late corners saw most of the Streets in the BASOM penalty area, but nothing connected and BASOM secured all three points.

O'Brien had nothing to say after the game: "I have nothing to say", although Taylor, who had showed up for the game did offer his comments. "Did anyone see my goal last week - that was awesome. Off the head it was. Great goal."

The Streets now have a week off and have some time to ponder their tactics and practice their passing skills. Their next game is on Tuesday October 13th at home to Folsom United.

Turn Verein 4 - 4 Streets of London

The Streets of London started the new season right where they left off - with a goal scoring deluge against the recently demoted German team Turn Verein.

The night was set for a typical encounter between the two sides with words being exchange between the two teams in the media a full week ahead of the fixture.

And things got off to a flying start as Turn Verein tried to apply early pressure. But the Streets were more than a match for the old Germans and it wasn't long before the Streets had taken the lead.

Neil Oldham picked up a pass from the midfield and laid it off to Vadim Winkler who ran into the penalty box and placed the ball in the back of the German goal.

A good start for the Streets of London and a position on which to build strength. Turn Verein were kept firmly in their own half after the restart - a move which wold pay off in short-time.

Turn Verein's Chris McCargo tried to clear a ball from his own area but it landed cruelly for him and perfectly for Jeffrey Martinez. The resulting strike was dispatched with clinical precision. There was nothing the German keeper could do to stop the shot.

The Germans pushed back after the second goal and their determination was enough to punish the Streets for allowing them enough room to get into the box.

Jon Taylor chased down the forward and pushed him to the edge of the touchline, but there was enough room for the forward to get the cross in. The ball ran across the face of goal where Andy Nelson turned it into his own goal as he attempted to clear it.

Despite the own goal, the Streets had the better play in the first half and if the second half was anything like the first, Turn Verein were in for trouble.

Kevin "the Givnor" O'Brien's half-time talk must have been inspiring as the Streets came out for the second period firing on all cylinders.

It would be the Streets who scored again, but once again the defenders were jeopardizing their own team's success.

A Turn Verein cross was placed perfectly at the edge of the 6 yard box. Taylor was the only player to rise to the ball wherein he drove a powerful header into the back of his own net. Any forward in the world would have been proud to have placed a ball so finely, and Taylor was no exception. His joyful celebration was soon muted as he realized he had scored at the wrong end.

With the score again level at 2-2 the Streets went into overdrive and pushed for a third (or fifth depending upon the way you look at it).

Their good footwork and determination would pay off midway through the second period when Dave Scribner found Winkler in the box. Winkler slotting home his second of the night put the Streets back in front.

The Streets would suffer a blow moments later, however, when midfielder Neil Oldham was forced off the field with a back injury. He twisted awkwardly and was forced into early retirement from the game.

He was soon followed by Taylor who, despite his goal-scoring ability, was also forced off the field with an ankle injury.

Despite the setbacks, the Streets continued to push hard. Jeffrey Martinez laid a ball from the middle of the field out Dominic Pando who drove the ball home past the Turn Verein keeper for his debut goal.

The Streets of London again looked comfortable with a 4-2 lead until 10 minutes from time when fate would again deal a cruel blow.

A Turn Verein shot from the edge of the 18-yard box was bound for the head of Fred Farler, who had come on after Taylor's injury. Don Bradshaw had cleared the ball with a punch which landed cleanly for the Turn Verein forward. The strike was clean and powerful and drifting away from Bradshaw towards the near post.

Farler had dived in anticipation and would surely have connected with the ball, but the strike took a slight deflection off Nelson's right knee. The ball found the net just after it flew inches over Farler's head.

With 7 goals in the game so far and 5 minutes left on the clock, the Streets still managed to keep their composure. The smell of victory was in the air. That was until Turn Verein were awarded a penatly.

Jeffrey Goldsmith was covering a Turn Verein forward on the near edge of the 18-yard box. Some mutual pushing and shoving resulted int he forward going down and the referee instantly blew the whistle pointing to the spot.

Bradshaw could do little to stop the resulting penalty from finding its place. The goal depriving the home side of victory in this opening game of the season.

We tried to talk with O'Brien after the match but were interuppted by Taylor who was keen to let us know about the own goal incident. "Did you see it? I was awesome. I rose a good distance in the air and powered that puppy home. I guess it would have been better in the other end, but if any spectators have video of the goal I will pay good money to get a copy".

The Streets now go on to face BASOM at home next week

Daley Wins 3rd Successive Golden Plimsol

With 6 goals in the bag, Mike Daley has claimed his third successive Golden Plimsol award as this seasons highest goal scorer. He was unable to attend the ceremony as he was away on international duty in England.

Kevin "the Guvnor" O'Brien was on hand to collect Daley's trophy as O'Brien himself was awarded the Golden Shoelace award as the highest goal-assist of the season with 4 assists.

When asked about summing up, O'Brien said "Daley did good, but really you need to focus on that assist I gave to Vadim in our win against BASOM. That was incredible."

Daley is due to be back from international duty before the start of the new season.

Arsenal 4 - 3 Streets of London

The Streets of London were involved in an other high scoring game this week when they visited Arsenal for the final match of the season.

The Streets started with a number of key players missing. Mike Daley and Jon Taylor were both out on international duty, while Vadim Winkler was testing a new hair style in Los Angeles.

Before the game kicked off passions were running high in the stadium. Arsenal were guaranteed the promotion to the 1st division regardless of the score. The Streets of London would have finished runners up with a win.

Arsenal would open the scoring with two quick goals. The first came form a defensive error down the left hand side. The pace of the forwards skinned Sheik Ian Baxter leaving a clean cross. The cross was met at the edge of the 18-yard box and the resulting shot was driven home swiftly.

Within 5 minutes Arsenal were up by 2 goals. A questionable free kick was awarded on the right edge of the 18-yard box after a tackle from Jeffrey Goldsmith. The resulting attempt from Arsenal was to drop the ball in towards the back post. Although completely unintentional, the free-kick managed to find the back of the net over stand-in goalkeeper Fred Farler.

Shortly before half-time Arsenal struck again. This time Arsenal had more precision in their shooting. A move down the left side of the field culminated in a through ball to the middle of the box. The shot, although close range, was well placed as the Arsenal striker tucked home the third gaol of the night.

The first-half wasn't quite finished. Dave Scribner opened the Streets of London scoring after a clean break down the left of the field was set up by Jeffrey Goldsmith. The celebration was subdued. The Streets knew they had a lot of work to do in the second half.

The second 45 began much as the first with Arsenal applying pressure, but the Streets kept their composure and began the fight back.

Within 15 minutes the Streets would scrape back their second of the game. Neil Oldham released Jeffrey Martinez through the middle, Martinez striking home with a clean powerful shot to the back of the net.

The goal was enough to frustrate Arsenal and inspire the Streets of London to their third - except this time Arsenal would do the finishing for the Streets.

An unfortunate back-pass left the Arsenal goalkeeper scrambling to try and prevent the inevitable as the ball rolled into the back of the net.

With both teams now level and time running thin, a draw looked inevitable. But what appeared to be a cruel twist of fate that echoed the good fortune the Streets had the week before, Arsenal found the back of the Streets net one last time in the dying moments of the game.

A free kick in the last third of the Streets half was enough to find a lurking striker in the 6 yard box. Arsenal dealt the Streets a cruel blow in the same fashion that the Streets dispatched BASOM last week.

After the game a positive but somewhat down Kevin 'the Guvnor' O'Brien summed up the game. "We fought hard to come back. Twice in two weeks we did that. This week they had a lucky call on a free kick that left us with no time to strike back."

The Streets will finish third in the table behind F.R.O.G.S. - something they won't relish.

Winkler and Gatjen Secure New Hair Deals

Streets of London midfielders Vadim Winkler and Ed Gatjen have both secured new hair product deals this week.

Although the exact sum of each deal is undisclosed, Winkler's is estimated to be close to $7.5 million and Gatjen's a little under $6.8 million.

THe two midfielders were seen sporting hair highlights in their latest game on Tuesday night.

When asked if they are using products form their new companies both declined to comment. However, team manager Kevin "the Guvnor" O'Brien said "I don't see what the big deal is" while right back Andy Nelson said "Hair is for girls".

Streets of London 4 - 3 BASOM

A determined Streets of London were able to see off BASOM Tuesday night in a thrilling 7 goal encounter.

The Streets of London, kicking off at home after a two week hiatus were eager to finish BASOM from the kick-off, but the two teams were evenly matched making for an exciting game for the spectators.

The fast pace soon found a breakthrough when BASOM went ahead midway through the first half. Confusion in Streets of London center backs allowed the BASOM forwards to strike through and slot home for the lead.

Shiekhs Ian Baxter and Andy Wylie were both on hand to help shore up the back line, but the speed of BASOM allowed them through a second time. The pace of the forwards was too much for Baxter.

The onrushing BASOM forward connected for a scrappy finish to extend the lead to two goals.

But the Streets wouldn't be undone by the shortfall in their own score line.

With 35 minutes on the clock Dave Scribner was released to set up Mike Daley.Daley finished with precision to pull one back for the home team.

Five minutes after the restart the Streets would pull back the second. A push into the area forced a corner from BASOM. The clearance was sufficient to push the Streets back to their own half. But a good interception midway through the BASOM half allowed Jeffrey Martinez to strike a bullet of shot from 25 yards out.

Both teams went into the half looking for the opportunity to take the lead. It would again be BASOM who took the lead. A fortunate decision gifted BASOM with a free kick just outside the area. The resulting scramble providing BASOM with the lead.

Wade Mitchell would again be influential late in the game. Shortly after Daley left the filed with an injury, Scribner found Mitchell on the edge of the box. Mitchell's resulting shot finding the back of the net.

With the game tied up at 3-3 there was little time left on the clock for the Streets to do much. Kevin "the Guvnor" O'Brien was screaming at his team to hold the ball and not concede another goal.

But in an ironic twist it would be O'Brien that would connect with Vadim Winkler to provide the winner in the last minute of the game.

O'Brien picked up a ball in the middle of the field and sent it down the right wing. Winkler, with fans screaming "Run German, Run!" caught up with the ball and drove home the finish to win the game.

The Streets now go into their final game of the season with everything to play for against league leaders Arsenal.