Now for the O-League says Uncles FC

I spoke with Dr. Kenton Sade, Uncles FC’s Team Manager/President, a few years ago and asked him what his vision for the club was.  He said in the long term, “we hope to qualify for the O-League in 2009”.  After the results of today’s game, that vision is still very much alive.  But if the arrival of soccer ace Benjamin Totori, Judd Molea and Kidston Billy to spearhead that campaign was supposed to be a good omen; it has produced little result.  As a matter of fact, this touted “star-studded” lineup has done little to calm the nerves of the ever faithful Uncles FC faithful.

Last week, the team crumbled and lost 2-1 to powerhouse Makuru FC.  To be fair to Makuru, they were exceptional and in that game they were able to score goals when it mattered.  This week, Uncles FC dug themselves a pit hole and then climbed out of it in dramatic fashion.

As usual by the time this Uncles faithful was still making his way to the field, Uncles was already up by a goal.  But judging from last week when they went up first only to lose in the end, I was still skeptical.  A fairly contested game ensued before Benjamin Totori was sent through by Kidston Billy, he beat his men, left Francis Aruwafu sprawling and as he was about to tap the ball in Aruwafu caught him in the foot sending the mecurial striker crashing to the ground.  Judd Molea calmly slotted the spot kick, Aruwafu reacting a split second too late.  Half time and Uncles were up by 2 goals.

Then complacency set in, Judd miskicked passes and tired legs in the defense finally showed worrying signs of wilting under the Marist onslaught.  Marist coach Patrick Miniti was forced to bring in Johan Doiwale.  His fresh legs shredded the Uncles defense and within 5 minutes of his arrival he had already provided a well timed pass for Marist to score their first goal.  5 minutes later he was the recepient of a better pass and his piler left little hope for the Uncles keeper to shut out.  The Uncles bench reacted quickly by bringing in a defensive midfielder Stephen Sikou then moments later adding Steven Riqeo the towering 6 footer replacing an injured Eddie Ngaitini.

It was then that a clearly frustrated Kidston Billy turned the tide as he found Judd Molea.  Molea’s beautifully timed pass to Totori set the speedstar towards goal.  Totori sent the crowd into a major frenzy as he tipped the ball over the oncoming Aruwafu.  Moments later it was Totori who was now provider as he set Billy on his way towards goal.  From close range, Kidston Billy squeezed the shot under Aruwafu to put Uncles up 5-2.  Stephen Sikou drove the final nail into the coffin as he latched onto a pass from Kidston Billy who had beaten an offside trap to beat the defenders and the goalie.  A four goal fest in the second half was hardly what I had expected but it does send out a strong signal to all competing teams that Uncles FC will score if you allow them to.

This is  2009 and here comes Uncles FC.  After the disappointment of last week, maybe – just maybe this time like Dr. Sade had envisioned, it is Uncles FC’s turn to grace the O-League.  In all that fun; it is encouraging to see Benjamin Totori slowly regaining his lethal instincts in front of goal.  Uncles FC will need that to advance far in its campaign for the O-League spot.