GAS III VS Pacey Blinders FC

Perfect weather conditions on a Sunday afternoon awaited both teams at the GAS’ home pitch at the GESS campus for a “6-points” game. GAS knew this game would be trendsetting for the rest of the season. Three points against a direct opponent would allow us to aim for the top of the table, as it was the same for Pacey Blinders. The perfect prerequisite for a good soccer game. Handicapped with injuries and the absence of key players, the coaches had to shuffle the line-up a bit which didn’t reduce the high level of motivation that the GAS team showed on the pitch.
The game started with a good pace and combinations on both sides. Steffen had a good chance for an early lead after about 6 minutes following a good combination but missed the goal. Almost in return Pacey Blinders showed skilful and quick combinations in the midfield that ended in a goal in minute 9. Luckily it was offside, and the goal was not given.
After the first ten minutes, everybody on the pitch, as well as the excellent crowd of GAS supporters, knew that this would be a tight and intensive game and that small mistakes would make a difference in this game.
Keeper Christian got injured in minute 12 in another good attack by Pacey Blinders, but he tried to continue to play.
A great combination of Steffen and Christopher in minute 17 should have been the lead but wasn’t.
The game went on in a coast-to-coast style, as they call it in ice hockey and Pacey Blinders finished another great combination to their deserved lead in minute 19. That was the point where Pacey Blinders got the momentum in the first half, and our GAS squad needed the first water break. Christian had to leave the goal because of his injury, and Max volunteered to keep the goal, a premier but not the best time in such a game.
Nevertheless, GAS tried to keep up with the high pace and quick opponents and relentlessly tried to create opportunities against a solid Pacey Blinders midfield and defence, which resulted in a great chance for Steffen. Unfortunately, he aimed a bit too high.
An intensive first half was slowly ending, but we got another chance via a free kick in midfield which was well-defended by Pacey Blinders. They sent their super-quick striker with a long ball into the slot, which he finished to the 2:0 lead, teaching us how to finish a brilliant counterattack.

Again, a break was heavily needed.

GAS started with some changes in the line-up into the second half, knowing that this game was not over yet.
An attractive game continued at a good pace with decent combinations on both sides. Smelling the chance to turn this game around, GAS intensified its efforts with good combinations and a more physical game.

Steffen's good but slightly too-late tackle resulted in the first yellow card of the day and set the tone for the second half. GAS was in the game now.
Another outstanding sliding tackle by Sebastian saved us from another goal just minutes into the second half.
After another great effort to protect our goal and our interim goalkeeper Max, Tim had to take a break after receiving a shot in a sensitive part of his body.
15 minutes into the second half Simonyo almost finished a beautiful volley after a corner. Close, but yet too far from the goal.
Just two minutes later, another great chance, this time for Dinh, but Pacey Blinders keeper was in the right position.
Right after the second water break GAS created again a couple of decent chances but didn’t manage to turn them into results.
The momentum was with GAS, but the clock was playing against us, and Pacey Blinders was playing it smart and also able to create their chances. Which resulted in a great shot hitting the crossbar in minute 65.
Signs of tired legs became increasingly obvious when Christian hit Pacey Blinder’s super quick striker in a kung-fu style tackle when he was aiming for the ball, which could have resulted in a yellow card but didn’t.
Fabian had the last great opportunity with his header after a corner in minute 75. Again, unlucky for us and well-defended by Pacey Blinders.
In the end, well deserved three points for Pacey Blinders in a very fair and good game. It was a pleasure to play against a skilful and very fair team, and we look forward to another game against them.