volvic 1 - 0 Counts (390053202)

46449 punters turned up at volvic Arena, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came. Tamir Hasan was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Gian Carlo Bassini and Marcus Everts. volvic had chosen a strategic 4-3-3 formation. The following players had been chosen: Viñas - Germar, Bumbescu, Galubickas, Abu-Ibrahim - Vilkman, Garau, Winkenbach - Holanne, Marre, Roe.

A 4-5-1 alignment was the formation of choice for Counts. The following players took the field: Atkinson - Wells, Baldwin, Del Moral, Conway - Rodale, Harp, Kersey, Willis, Harman - Kelly.

Counts used their skill at pressing to cut off the attack angles of their opponents all over the field. After a fine move down the middle S. Marre nearly gave the home side a goal after 15 minutes. However the finishing shot went just wide. After 39 minutes, volvic's V. Vilkman fell awkwardly, but was determined to stay in the match. That's the spirit! It was 0 - 0 at the break. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by volvic, with 53 percent of the ball.

46 minutes into the game, Counts wanted to bring some new energy to their game. G. Conway gave A. Khan a quick hug as he left the field. At this time in the match, Counts were using their skill at pressing to successfully stifle the game. After 69 minutes Counts's A. Atkinson contracted a slight foot injury, but didn't want to leave the game. 75 minutes into the match, the referee signalled for a Counts substitution. E. Mirabella came on for S. Harp. Some things can only be learned through experience, and J. Kersey should take his lesson to heart after nearly gifting volvic a goal with 76 minutes of the match played. After 80 minutes, following yet another great corner, S. Willis's flick on at the near post reached E. Mirabella, who was just wide with his snapshot - the ball went out for a goal kick. After some beautiful movement down the left wing, H. Abu-Ibrahim scored for volvic putting them ahead 1 - 0, after 82 minutes. volvic claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 55 percent.

Most important volvic player was T. Holanne. E. Winkenbach on the other hand, had a terrible day. Counts's top performer was clearly B. Kelly. On the other hand, A. Atkinson's play was disheartening. The match ends 1 - 0.