In one of the games of the season at Central Park, Racing Club came from 3-1 down, to beat Ascot 5-3, and keep their championship hopes alive.  A defeat to mid- table Ascot would have been disastrous for RCF, as they need to win all of their games in hand to reclaim the top spot from May & Bakers.

Racing Supremo Bradley Micallef was forced to ring the changes with influential Goal Keeper Steve Dawes missing (Stag do) - he was joined by David "Double Pack" Day (Fractured Cheek bone), Stephen Clarke (Wife), Chris Tilbury (Influenza) and Nigel Collins (Knee). Daniel Micallef deputised in goal, Darren Salmon filled in at left back and Chris Maskell returned to the starting eleven after spending the whole of the Christmas period on the sideline.

Racing started the better of the two sides, with some crisp passing moves down the right which lacked an end product.  It was no surprise when they took the lead after 12 minutes. Chris Maskell played a one-two with Lee Stimpson and turned the full back inside out.  A fortuitous ricochet fell in his favour from the second challenge, and the left footed strike was palmed into the Roof of the net by the goalkeeper. Two minutes later the ball fell to him again unmarked 4 yards from goal - Rather than tucking away this gilt edged chance, he spooned it back out to where it had come from. Racing missed a chance to push ahead.

Racing appeared to be cruising after 30 mins, when the Party Boy pole axed the Ascot forward 20 yards from goal.  The Ascot captain stepped up and curled a delightful free kick over the wall and into the top corner.

Five minutes later and another sucker punch put the visitors ahead.  The RCF back line failed to clear a cross and after several attempts, the ball fell kindly to the forward who finished with some aplomb.

HT 1-2

It's fair to say that Racing were shellshocked to be losing at the break.  They had dominated possession and played some flamboyant football at times, only to come up against some dogged defending. Pedros "The Greek Scuffer" Pedonomou replaced the Gaffer at half time - who sacrificed his own position so both teams could continue the game - another selfless act from the youngest manager in the Corinthian League. Dave Sack went out to the right of midfield, Maskell dropped into the middle with Lee Stimpson dropping in at right back. 

The first chance of the half fell to Spicer, who uncharacteristically headed wide from 6 yards.  However, It was Ascot who struck the next blow.  A miss  hit cross was misjudged by Daniel  Micallef and the ball crept under the bar to make the score 1-3.

Racing were playing the better football and were having the lionshare of possesion. They were having some joy down the flanks with Dave Sack and Russell Leiter whipping over some decent balls which were causing problems. Through the middle, Waithe and Maskell were running riot with some good movement and driving runs. 

The fightback began as Pedonomou reached the byline, and whipped in a low near post cross. Maskell met the ball with a diving near post header reminiscent of Keith Houchen in '87 and glanced the ball into the far corner for -2-3  

Belief was flowing through out the team, and Spicer was released in the inside left channel in the 70th minute.  At the edge of the box he unleashed a fizzing left foot drive into the far bottom corner and it was 3-3.

At this point the was only going to be one winner.  Another smart interchange from Stimpson and Maskell allowed the captain to whip another ball into the danger zone, and Spicer rose above his marker with a trademark towering header for 4-3. 

Racing were rampant at this point and Pedonomou scored the goal of the game to polish off a spirited Ascot team.  Picking the ball up a full 30 yards out, he curled a stunning strike into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance.

More chances went a begging late on. Great solo runs from Spicer and Leiter were not matched by their finishes.  Salmon, Sack and Maskell went close from distance, and the captain could have completed a hat trick with a mis-timed effort, and a not so spectacular half scissors kick  -  Waithe had a free header at the back post saved by the Ascot keeper who made some good stops.

All credit to Ascot, who were happy to play the game with stand in referee's Pedonomou and Micallef.  The game was played in great spirit, and they were a pleasure to play against on both occasions this season.

Manager Micallef was ecstatic with the result performance.  Whilst renowned for speaking his mind when the team has underperformed, he was quick to point out that the team were unfortunate to have gone behind. I got a chance to speak to Micallef after the game.

OC: How do you look at that game? Great comeback, or disappointed to concede 3 goals at home?

BM: I think it's a little from column a and a little from column b. I am hugely relieved we turned it round in the second half - Ascot are no mugs so to come from 3-1 down to win is no mean feat. The boys showed tremendous character and resolve - I've tried to instil a winning mentality within the camp - to compete at all times - be it in a game, at the training ground or on the dance floor of the local nightclub.

I thought we were the better team - but were guilty of making a couple of errors. There was nothing we could do about Kevin's free kick - it was right out of the top drawer. The second we should have cleared a lot quicker and third was misjudged by Danny. He's not a keeper, so I don't blame him - He did well for us on the day.

The fact we hadn't played a game in several weeks may have contributed to our lapses, but on the whole, it was a high quality, domineering performance by the squad.

 

I’ve just spoken to vice-captain Chris Maskell who said he can carry this team to great things, and he was faultless today. It’s hard to argue with that, wouldn’t you agree?

Chris is a fantastic talent - sometimes his confidence can be misinterpreted for arrogance. With the players at my disposal, no one player will ever have to carry this team. Chris showed both sides of his game today - sublime at times, shoddy at others. He was guilty of missing a stick on opportunity in the first half - but then went on to more than make up for it in the second.

 

The game seemed to turn as a result of your substitution. Would you agree with that?

We were 2-1 down at half time. As a responsible and selfless member of both the squad and management team I sacrificed myself - so that Peter could play and that the game would have a referee. We went on to concede another goal in the second half - In my opinion the only change was that we tucked our chances away in the second period.   

 

Peter Pedonomou scored a cracker. As he celebrated he came over to you and said what looked like “I always score when I play”. What are your thoughts?

When you have a squad packed full top quality players - and believe me, this squad is special - You are going to have people that are not happy with being sub. I accept this as part of the job. This isn't the first time I've had issues of this nature and I prefer to keep any player concerns within the four walls of the dressing room.

On this occassion - during the celebrations after the game - Pete exclaimed - as you correctly report - “I always score when I play”

Being the touchy big mouth I am, I responded - "Dave Day and Spicer score when they play - Whoever plays up front for this team scores when they play - it doesn't make you special"

Luckily, a cheeky comment from Dizzy lightened the atmosphere - I certainly wont have squad players trying to force my hand with sly comments.

By the time we had left the changing rooms, cuddles were exchanged and dates for pasta meals arranged. I dont bear grudges (only in exceptional circumstances) and refuse to have the tremendous spirit in the camp spoiled by immature bickering.

 

Another win today for May & Bakers also. They are dominating this league. Are RCF settling for second place?

Oliver - When have you ever known Racing Club Fantana to settle for second place? We are 4 games behind May & Baker (4 once the league have pulled their finger out and given the opening game of the season to Ascot after Baker had 5 men sent off) - and seven points behind - you do the maths. 

We've also been hard done by in terms of goals scored - An unamed team failed to show against us so we where given a 1-0 win. That's great - had May and Baker not beaten them 11-0 twice this season. Hopefully the league wont be decided on goal difference. 

Baker are a good side who have had a fantastic run this season - But they are beatable - as Ladzio have proved this season. We look forward to playing them again.

 

By Oliver Codpiece