Futera FC started out on their unique journey into the unknown yesterday with a pre-season 'friendly' defeat against a determined Offley Moat side that are early favourites to win Division 2 this Season. Futera FC’s Virtual Managers decided that Andy Hughes should be given the armband for today’s Fixture and Captain the side. Hughes performed well with a strong performance partnering General Manager Alkesh Lalji at the back. Speedy Filipino winger Renan Ramous gave Lalji a boost just before kick off after passing a late fitness test that saw him take his place on the bench for the first half.
Offley started the brightest as their number 9 turned and produced an early shot that caused Futera FC’s goalkeeper Ben Jarvis to make an early save. There was more cause for concern as a mix up at the back allowed Offley’s number 10 to squeeze a shot just passed the post as Jarvis was left stranded. The early nerves that the Futera boys showed were understandable as they knew Virtual Managers were watching from across the globe!
The Futera FC Virtual Managers were then pondering the question as to whether to apply more attacking tactics. They did, and it almost proved to be costly as the Offley Moat number 7 sprang onto a loose ball and found himself one on one with Jarvis. His composure was lost as the number 7 slotted the ball just wide of the right hand post and Futera FC were happy to hear the half time whistle…
The Virtual Managers decided to freshen things up after the break. It was a good chance for the Managers to scout any players that may make an impact during the Season ahead. Jack McGill, James Hughes and Shabaz Haider made way for Rich Leigh, Ramos and David Moore respectively. The changes proved to make little difference as Offley took advantage when a long ball from the back fell to the feet of Offley’s winger who glided the ball over in front of their number 10. He turned in the box and was given enough space to operate as he poked the ball home and wheeled off in celebration.
Futera FC had hardly had a chance to kick off before Offley, now growing in confidence, went into a two-goal lead. A mix up in the box and a scrambled finish from the Offley Number 10 saw Futera 2 – 0 down.
Virtual Manager 'GOONERS!!' Requested one more player to push up and join the attack and Alkesh agreed, bringing on Colin Cunningham in an Attacking Midfield role for Callum Roberts. The exciting Mitch Pengelli was given a licence to bomb forward and he took full advantage of this causing the Offley Moat Defenders all sorts of problems. Futera FC sprang to life as Dave Moore shot home the first ever goal in this exciting project & Futera FC were very much back in the game!
Pengelli showed exactly why he won the ‘Man of the Match’ award and he again caused problems for Offley. A corner from Willis found Pengelli free on the edge of the box. A fantastic snap shot needed an even more spectacular save from the Offley 'Keeper. Futera could sense the chance of an equaliser and it was all to play for going into the final 1/3rd of the game. Then on the 73rd minute mark, substitute Ray Leigh placed a ball up and over the Offley Moat Goalkeeper and into the top corner bringing Futera FC level! Pure ecstasy erupted on the Futera Forums as the Virtual Managers celebrated. The party had started and Futera FC were level, the game looked like it could only go one way. The Virtual Managers opted not to rest on the Draw and to go for victory. The players did just that as they continued the pressure on the Offley Moat goal. Pengelli delivered two great balls in towards the Futera Strikers but to no avail.
It was Offley’s troublesome Number 9 and a cruel deflection that gatecrashed Futera FC’s opening ceremony late on. The ball bounced around in the box before a shot from Offley Moat’s Centre Forward took a deflection against a Futera player and cannoned past a desperate Ben Jarvis. The Offley Moat players rejoiced and the Forums fell silent. There was little time for another Futera FC revival and the game ended in defeat. But the spirit was there for everyone to see. After the game, Alkesh told the awaiting Futera Media Team that there were a lot of positives to take from the game and that the Virtual Managers should take heart from a spirited come back. We have a lot to look forward to this Season and together the only way is up. Futera FC 2 -3 Offley Moat was the final score, but Futera FC was victorious in spirit. As the famous Futera saying goes. We are Futera FC … are you?
