Conference - Match 4

Khazboss FC 6-5 Real Bad
Scorers:
Evans 5
Scott 1

A Tough Win
Khazboss continue their great run of form with a hard fought victory over Real Bad. Khazboss started well and showed how dangerous they can be on the attack. A goal soon followed. However for all the good attacking play, the defence was poor and looked constantly out of position. Real Bad got an equalizer after a mix up at the back and although Khazboss pulled ahead again the defensive frailties soon had them on the wrong end of a 4-2 scoreline. One of Khazboss' better qualities is the 'never say die' attitude. By keeping good possession, Real started to get frustrated and began arguing amongst themselves. The simple Charnock to Evans distribution bore fruit and the score was soon 5-5. An injury to Cheverton could have worried Khazboss as they had no more substitutes but they kept pressing and with five minutes left on the clock and Real bickering even more, Evans scored the winner to frustrate Real no end. They left the game with an ungentlemanly air with some of the Real players refusing to shake hands. However, this was Khazboss' night.

Verdict:
Uncharacteristly poor defence, but great everywhere else. Kept cool even under pressure. A good win.

Ratings:
Charnock: 7 - Returned to goal after missing last week. Took a few touches to get back into stride but better distribution than previous games. Good saves late on.
Heron: 8 - Best out of a poor defence. Good movement when attacking.
Ste M: 6 - Not his best performance. Looked out of sorts at the back but gave good options going forward.
Scott M: 7 - Again poor at the back but good going forward. Got better as the game progressed.
Cheverton: 7 - Same story as the rest. Poor when defending but good up front. Twisted ankle near the end and had to go off but no long term worries.
Evans: 9 - Once again Khazboss' best player. Got the goals to make sure a win was always a possibility. Star Man.

Stats:
Goals:
Evans 13
Ste 6
Heron 4
Gregory 3
Cheverton 2
Scott 2
(og) 1

Ave. Ratings (Apps)
Evans 9.00 (4)
Heron 8.50 (4)
Scott 8.25 (4)
Gregory 8.00 (2)
Ste 7.75 (4)
Cheverton 7.50 (4)
Charnock 7.33 (3)

Form
WWWWWW

Conference - Match 3

Khazboss FC 10-4 Cow And The Moon
Scorers:
Evans 5
Heron 3
Ste Murphy 2

(Cow And The Moon have replaced Bentley's Boys)

Strength To Strength
Just when we thought it couldn't get much better after the humiliation of Dynamo Spandex, the best got better. A truly magnificent team performance against the newcomers to the league must have left them wishing they never turned up. The eight men of Cow And The Moon never looked worthy of being on the same pitch as the five Khazboss boys, outclassed, outplayed and outbattled in every single department.
Heron started quickest from the blocks scoring three early goals and hitting the bar after some great one-two passes with Evans, some well finished goals surprising team mates, even himself. Some excellent passing and movement from Khazboss paved the way for a bagful of quality team goals from Khazboss, with the frightening Evans scoring five and hitting the post with Ste Murphy chipping in with his usual couple. Scott Murphy was quiet on the goal scoring front but well and truly made up for it with one of the best performances seen from him in the Khazboss jersey - this really was Scott Murphy at his formidable self. The game followed a simple format - excellent distribution from Cheverton to Evans feet (who was allowed too much room up front), who was then able to make space and feed the runs from the wings of Ste Murphy and Heron. Any mistakes were quickly mopped up by Scott Murphy. A special mention for the versatile Cheverton, deputizing in goal with the absence of Charnock. Superb passing, a couple of quality saves and a Dudek impression on a penalty that resulted in the opposition striker blazing it over!

Verdict: Are Khazboss looking like favorites for the title or have they just not met decent opposition?

Ratings:
Cheverton: 9 - Solid performance out of position. Some key saves, excellent distribution and done a Dudek for a penalty.
Heron: 9 - Came racing from blocks with 3 early goals, solid but tired in last quarter. defended well.
Scott Murphy: 9 - Was powerful, quick, aggressive and first to every ball. Vintage Scott.
Ste Murphy: 9 - Well disciplined, marshaled defence well, covered when lee got forward.
Evans: 10 - Superb. Scored five, created four, defended well, terrified the cowboys - Man of match.

Many thanks to Lee for this report.

Stats
Goals:
Evans 8
Ste Murphy 6
Heron 4
Gregory 3
Cheverton 2
Scott Murphy 1
(og) 1

Ave. Rating (Apps)
Evans 9.00 (3)
Heron 8.67 (3)
Scott Murphy 8.67 (3)
Ste Murphy 8.33 (3)
Gregory 8.00 (2)
Cheverton 7.67 (3)
Charnock 7.50 (2)

Form
WWWWWW

Conference - Match 2

Khazboss FC 8-1 Dynamo Spandex
Scorers:
Evans 1
Gregory 2
Cheverton 2
Ste Murphy 2
Heron 1

A complete massacre of Dynamo Spandex. Straight from the off there was only one team playing in this game. Dynamo could not get near the ball and even when they did, Khazboss simply took it back. The passing and movement was as slick as Khazboss have ever been yet for all their possesion the goals didn't come thick and fast. There was none of the usual desperation shown; the speed of the game completely dictated by Khazboss. To be fair to Dynamo it could have been a cricket score if not for their keeper who was their best player by far, and they were saved by the post on at least four occasions. When the goals came, they were all quality goals preceeded by great passing and some wonderful movement opening up the Dynamo defence with ease. When Dynamo did come forward, they were usually stopped by a well organised defence. Charnock was a spectator for most of the game but did make the few saves that were needed. A slight communication error gave Dynamo a goal that they in no way deserved. This however does not take the shine off a fantastic performance.

Verdict: Probably the best Khazboss performance so far, even taking into account their opponents played poorly.

Ratings:
Charnock: 8 - Save well when needed, much better distribution than in previous games. Commanded the defence well.
Heron: 9 - Solid again. Was able to get forward more and posed a big threat. Just edges it as star man.
Ste Murphy: 9 - Good defensive play and great distribution. Usual contribution to goals tally.
Gregory: 9 - Great performance. Defended well and looked dangerous going forward.
Scott Murphy: 9 - Again worked hard. Attacked well at the start, then kept the door shut at the back while others got forward.
Evans: 9 - Another hard working performance. Unlucky only to get one goal.
Cheverton: 8 - A few poor passes early on but settled quickly. Seems to be over his poor run.

Stats:
Goals
Ste Murphy 4
Evans 3
Gregory 3
Cheverton 2
Scott Murphy 1
Heron 1
(og) 1

Ave. Rating (Apps)
Evans 8.5 (2)
Heron 8.5 (2)
Ste Murphy 8.5 (2)
Gregory 8.0 (2)
Scott Murphy 8.0 (2)
Charnock 7.5 (2)
Cheverton 7.0 (2)

Form
DWWWWW

Conference - Match 1

Khazboss FC 7-4 Prince Of Wales
Scorers:
og 1
Evans 2
Ste Murphy 2
Gregory 1
Scott Murphy 1


New Season, new league, new kit, same old Khazboss. A good win to start the season in typical Khazboss frantic football, although the there was less in-team arguing and a more clinical approach to the game. The team that clinched promotion started the game in their new yellow (2002-3 Celtic away) kit looking hungry to keep the good run of form going which has seen them unbeaten in five, although the game actually began slow with Prince Of Wales keeping a the game to their pace. It didn't take long however for Khazboss to draw first blood after a shot by Ste Murphy deflected in. This was quickly cancelled out after a defensive mistake but Khazboss still looked in charge and pulled ahead again. However a change to the side with the introduction of Gregory and Cheverton unsettled the team with Prince Of Wales first scoring from a deflected free kick to equalize and then pulling ahead with two more. Khazboss soon settled though and began again to impose themselves. Good defensive play by Gregory, Heron and Ste Murphy, coupled with some fine stops by Charnock began to frustrate Prince Of Wales and it was not long before Khazboss were level including a great strike by Scott Murphy who seemed to do all he could to make the chance more difficult. They now looked odds on for the win and with Prince Of Wales tiring they were brushed away with three more goals

Verdict: If Khazboss can keep this run of form going, there is no reason why they shouldn't be in the promotion battle

Ratings:
Charnock: 7 - Poor distribution, however kept goal well with some good saves.
Heron: 8 - Solid and dependable as usual
Ste Murphy: 7 - One costly defensive lapse, otherwise good. Weighed in with a few goals
Scott Murphy: 8 - Worked hard and chased every ball. Only just star man
Evans: 8 - Again worked hard, plenty of shots. Got the goals he deserved
Gregory: 7 - Took a few minutes to settle including a costly lapse but soon imposed himself.
Cheverton: 6 - Not a bad game but looked out of position more than once. Upset Prince Of Wales with constant hasseling


Stats:

Goals
Ste Murphy 2
Evans 2
Scott Murphy 1
Gregory 1
Heron 0
Cheverton 0
(og) 1

Ave Rating (Apps)
Scott Murphy 8 (1)
Heron 8 (1)
Evans 8 (1)
Gregory 7 (1)
Charnock 7 (1)
Ste Murphy 7 (1)
Cheverton 6 (1)

Alliance League - Match 18

Top of table before match;
1 - (C) Real Mabridge 35pts
2 - Khazboss 30pts
3 - Zypro 28pts
4 - Phat Dogs 27pts
5 - The Bald & The Hairy 27pts
6 - St Helens Massive 27pts

Khazboss FC 10 – 3 FC Stonecross
Scorers:
Scott Murphy 1
Ste Murphy 5
Evans 3
Heron 1

PROMOTION TO CONFERENCE
Just the game that Khazboss could have wanted. FC Stonecross were bottom of the table and already relegated. As for Khazboss, Real Mabridge got the win last week to end hopes of the title. With other results going the way they did, it meant in theory that any two from five could be promoted, although St Helens Massive had +9 goal difference compared to the twenties for all the other teams. Khazboss had the points advantage and the best goal difference in the league with +27 so promotion was possible, even with defeat. Just before kick off however, rumours were circulating that Phat Dogs’ opponents had not turned up granting them a 10-0 win and putting them above Khazboss. This now meant a point was needed.
With a pitch free indoors, the referee decided to play the game indoors. Neither team were used to playing in the heat so this promised to be a slow game, but after a shaky start for Khazboss, they finally took control and began scoring. Stonecross began far too quickly and soon began to make simple mistakes and give the ball away too easily. Khazboss were ruthless with their fast paced pass and move style, although they tried to slow it down given the heat. Even at 5-0 up with control of the game and a possible clean sheet, they played like they were 1-0 down. However, the toll of the heat coupled with having no substitutes and the style of football being played began to cause a few mistakes from Khazboss. By the end of the game the previously solid defence had been breached three times with perhaps all three avoidable. The major difference in this game however, was that Khazboss remained calm and let none of the usual arguing between players bubble over. This allowed the scoring to continue and the game to end a respectable 10-3.

Verdict: A solid performance all round. Every player worked hard for the win and played for the team. Khazboss always looked comfortable, even if their style looks frantic. A well deserved promotion

Ratings:
Charnock: 7 – Started shakily but showed safe hands throughout.
Ste Murphy: 9 – Excellent defending but showed real ability in going forward and scoring five goals.
Heron: 8 – Again, excellent defending. Good distribution and movement as well.
Evans: 8 – Always dangerous and creative when on the ball. Pitched in with good defending when Ste Murphy was forward
Scott Murphy: 8 – Was the engine of the team. Ran everywhere doing more than his share of defending, providing and shooting.

Final Stats
Pos W D L GD Pts
2nd 10 3 5 +34 33