Next Up

This week's game is against Fitch. Kick off is at 12.50 and we will be looking to get back to winning ways.

We beat them 5-1 in September with a goal from DaveT and four from SeanR. This was the game that featured on the front cover of the September Informer magazine.

Another draw

IFC moved another point nearer promotion with a 1-1 with Sports Interactive C on Friday.

Sean Robins opened the scoring in the first few seconds and SI equalised after the Crow had a pass intercepted while he was out of the goal.

Not much happened in the second half, not least of all because SI seemed intent on wasting as much time as they could get away with.

Depending on how you look at things, we are either on a 2 game unbeaten run or we have only got 1 win in 5 games. The first sounds a lot better ;-)

Before kick off we were only 2points clear of 2nd place and 7 clear of 8th. It's all getting rather tight again - nothing that a 5 game winning run can't solve!

Team: Crow; Elliott (Rossi), Newby, Robins, Timothy
Goal: Robins

Del.

Back in Action

The Boys in Blue are back in action this week, taking on Sports Interactive C. We beat them 2-1 in August, thanks to a DT brace, but it should have been more comfortable than that

Kick off is at 13.15

The Offsider

"Tous que je sais avec la plupart de certitude au sujet de morale et des fonctions des hommes, je doivent au football"

Eh?

"In English Please"

Ipreo FC 0 - Athletico RBS 0

All eyes were again on table toppers Ipreo FC as they thrashed promotion rivals Athletic RBS 0-0 at the Finsbury Leisure Complex Arena today. There was a huge roar from the dedicated Ipreo supporters in the newly completed 12 all seater MY Humps Upper tier as Fans favourite Sean Robins was spotted among the substitutes, obviously still not quite 100% fit after a sudden bout of vodkaritis.

The game got off to a frantic pace with both sides creating numerous chances, but none quite good enough to beat either keeper, of which Ipreo resident Chris Crow was on particularly good form. Dave DT Timothy was running the show in midfield as usual, an Paul Newbs, in for the suspended East End bad boy Jamie Donovan, was showing why some have been touting him as the next big thing in English football. But Ipreo were still unable to break the deadlock, while at the other end the Psycrow was keeping the boys in blue in it, as both teams were raining in the shots on goal.

For a 0-0 draw, the game was full of incidents, chances, saves and drama. In the dying seconds either team could have won with last gasp attempts. However, on his return, it was Sean Robins' sin bin, after only 1 minute of entering the field, that will be hugging the back pages tomorrow. Robins was sent to the stands for two minutes for decent after apparently calling into question the referees use of the English language, something yours truly has never obviously had a problem with. However, Robins took his punishment like a Soho Pro and the game continued without him.

Ipreo continued to press in the second half showing touches that Ronaldinho would have wet himself over...all that was needed was a goal, that ultimately never came.

Man of the match Chris Crow probably came up with the most entertaining moment of the match, exposing his gluteus maximus after an impeccable parry, causing an unnamed female fan to go quite red, and quiver "oh my" under her breath. Crow, it seems, is something of a hit with Ipreos testosterone challenged supporters.

And so it ended, 0-0, but never fret, the Blue and whites still currently top the Friday league with over half the season now gone. Could this be our year, is this our time? Has Colin Greer masterminded the almost impossible feat of promotion the giddy heights of the Thursday League? Find out next week in another exciting edition of the blue report, in the mean time...I'm off for a lager shandy, adios!

The Bin of Sin

IFC 0 - 0 RBS

Ipreo started the second half of the season with a goal-less draw against an RBS side that hit the post twice and forced a couple of top saves from the returning Crow. Ipreo's best chance came came late on when Chris Elliott tried to turn home a cross but the keeper managed to get a hand to the shot.

The main memory of the game will be our first ever sin bin. Sean Robins was sent to the touchline less than a minute after coming on as sub for back chat after the award of a free kick. This hardline approach from a new referee also saw The Crow get lectured for squaring up to an opponent in the first few moments of the game. Might be an idea to ditch the dissent if we have him again, lads!

Still top of the league (we were 3 points clear of second and third this morning) but it's getting tight at the top again.

Next Up...

After a second defeat in three games, IFC will be looking to get the promotion roll back underway. It's the first game of the second half of the season and we will be looking for a repeat of the performance from the opening day (except for the step-over from the sub keeper - that was a one off!) and another 3-1 win would be nice

Date - 19 October 2007
Opponents - Athletico RBS
Kick Off - 13.35

IFC 1-2 IDS

Today marked the half-way point in the season and Ipreo managed to lose a bad tempered game 1-2.

Adam Rossi gave IFC a 1-0 lead when a block tackle spun off his foot into the bottom corner of the goal. We then proceed to gift them two goals before the break and despite a lot of effort and territory in the second period we couldn't get an equaliser.

Still top, but it's back in the mixer for the second half of the year. Keep the faith, and hope tomorrow is a more successful day (Swing Low, Sweet Chariot...)

Team: Rouse; Elliott (Donovan), Newby, Robins, Rossi
Goal: Rossi
Booking: Donovan

Ipreo's Number 1?

Controversy reigns over the Ipeo's FC's goalkeeping selection. Following recent absence Chris Crow is yet to reclaim his starting position between the sticks, with Derek Rouse continuing in goal today.

Despite some press criticism of his form earlier in the season, Crow is determined to prove his value to the team & will fight for his place as soon as he is handed the opportunity.

A source close the team earlier remarked,"We made mistakes and he made an error but I'm not someone who is going to punish him for that because he is number one for us and in the same game he had two very good saves before the situation."

Next opposition

The table-topping Ipreo massive will be looking to get the sporting weekend off to a flying start on Friday as they take on IDS. This game marks the half-way point in the season.

Here's to an Ipreo-England win treble! (Sorry, Philippe!)

Date: 11 October 2007
Opponents: IDS
KO: 13.35

Del.

Ipreo FC 1 - 0 City & Guilds

Ipreo FC's first clash with former 3rd division City & Guilds was a fast and physical game that tested our boys' skills and patience. The team looked splendid stepping onto the pitch in their new branded blue shirts, and there was a good turn out of fans to spectate on what turned out to be a cracking game.

Our lads dominated for the majority of the first half, showing great form under pressure, but a goal was frustratingly denied, despite several good shots from most of the boys, including crowd favourite Essex Eel Sean Robbins. Things changed in the second half, as Dynamite Dave Timothy obliged with a flying shot a few minutes into the second half. The goalkeeper didn't stand a chance. The crowd went wild, sparking the first chants to be heard at the Phil Hanna End this season.

For the rest of the game we held steady, against our well-organised and undismayed opponents. This didn't stop number 69 Adam Rossi and substitute Paul Newby having a few good punts at goal number two, and minutes before the final whistle Dave T came within inches himself after perfectly negotiating the field and then hitting the post. This only served to encourage the crowd, and as the final whistle blew, the Ipre-ettes along the sidelines celebrated a deserved 1-0 victory.

IPREO 1-0 City & Guilds

IpreoFC got back to winning ways with a 1-0 win over second placed City & Guilds in front of the massed ranks of Ipreo supporters (cheers folks).

Dave Tim got the goal and hit a post late on against a side who really didn't have too much to offer.

Full report to follow

Del.


Massed ranks of Ipreo supporters, yesterday

Shock Swoop!

The tabloids are abuzz at the rumour of Sean 'The Essex Eel' Robins' return to the Ipreo line-up.

Only one week after announcing his retirement, it is rumoured that Robins has now changed his mind and is willing to play for Ipreo FC for the remainder of the season.

Ipreo FC management were unavailable for comment.

Stay tuned!

Next Match - 5 October

The Ipreo massive will be looking to get back to winning ways this Friday when they take on City and Guilds who are second in the league. The 1st v 2nd clash should prove pivotal to our chances of getting out of this league.

Oppo: City & Guilds
Date: 5 October 2007
K.O.: 1315

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