The horror.... The horror...

A series of injuries and misfortune led to Ipreo FC's 2-0 defeat to league leaders DEL today.

In pre-match training, the Sean ‘Essex Eel’ Robins was bitten by the mysterious ankle badger. Despite the excruciating pain, the Eel started the game with some conviction and looked good to bag a goal.

The pain, however, soon got the best of him and he asked permission to be substituted. Unfortunately, just as the Eel was about to come off, ‘Work Rate’ Ririe crumpled to the ground under a bruising tackle. Minh ‘Work Rate Jr’ Kieu came on for Ririe, as Robins continued to hobble around.

As Ririe recovered on the sidelines, Ipreo continued to press forward. Their efforts however, had little results to show. Robins was eventually substituted after Ririe was able to recuperate somewhat on the touchline.

Despite the bulk of the possession, Ipreo failed to make the necessary break through in the first half.

The walking wounded of Ipreo trudged on in the second half thwarting numerous DEL chances. The deadlock was broken when arch-nemisis Francois stung Ipreo again by beating Jamie Dononvan to a loose ball and catching the otherwise impressive Chris 'Not So Clean Sheet' Crow flat footed. The ball agonisingly rolled into the back of the net and gave DEL a lead they did not deserve.

Ipreo's tired legs marched on but the injuries took their toll and the team could not muster any meaningful attack. In the dying moments of the match, Chris Crow tried to spearhead an attack from the back but the ball was lost in possession and a goal was gifted to DEL.

With four games to go, Ipreo still have title hopes... but they are fading fast.

Final 2-0

Ipreo FC: Crow, Donovan, Timothy, Robins (Kieu), Ririe

Tough Battle Sees Ipreo Fight for Draw

Ipreo were unlucky not to pick up all three points today, in a hard fought 0-0 draw with fellow contenders NIG.

Ipreo started positively and looked assured of cruising to victory. The first half saw Ipreo retain much of the possession and efforts by Robins, Ririe, Newby and Donovan either went wide or were saved by the opposition goalkeeper. By the end of half time, most fans were convinced that it was only a matter of time before the goal floodgates opened.

Unfortunately it was not to be, as the second half was much of the same. Robins and Ririe were both denied from close range. Clean Sheet Crow could have taken the day off - as he was hardly troubled all day. Even the introduction of Scott MacDonald for Paul Newby in the final minutes of the match could not secure a much needed victory for the boys in blue.

The next match is in two weeks versus second place DEL. The league is tighter than ever with several teams still in contention for promotion.

The Crow Speaks...

Our resident custodian has penned his thoughts on the season, and on the ID match in particular

"Ipreo FC have enjoyed a storming start to the season, climbing straight to the top of the league. They've managed to stay clear at the top since. Recently however, the team have been struggling to maintain that form, with a number of draws and losses. Fortunately, the lead that was opened at the start of the season has meant the team has retained their top spot.

Until today, Ipreo FC's last five results were: lost - won - lost - drawn - drawn; a far cry from the four consecutive wins that kicked off the season. Today saw the team taking on a team they beat comfortably at the start of the season. Could this be the turning point in Ipreo FC's fortunes?

The usually dedicated Ipreo supporters had for the most part deserted the team, a sign perhaps of their frustrations (and perhaps the biting cold)… The game started in strong fashion however, with Rossi scoring almost straight away. Things were looking good; swift precise passes combined with impressive movement threatened the opposition. However, a quick break against the run of play from Interactive Data saw them through on goal, and a strong finish left Crow unable to prevent the equaliser. 1-1.

A few minutes later another disaster struck, with our goalscorer incomprehensibly sent off for a seemingly innocuous challenge. Ipreo FC were down to four men, with three quarters of the game remaining. The team soaked up pressure for the remainder of the first half, with a number of critical tackles from Newby and Donovan. Ririe brought attacking energy to the team when the breaks came, but at half time the score remained 1-1.

Going into the second half, Kieu was brought on in place of Ririe to bring fresh legs to the team. The extra player on the opposition side was however proving dangerous. With a spare man always available, the Ipreo defence were being stretched to their limit. Crow was bringing the ball out, trying to make up the onfield defecit but attacking opportunities were shut out with the extra opposition players. Shots rained in from Interactive Data, and the game became about survival. More decisive challenges, and some finger-tip saves kept the score even, but it looked like a matter of time before Ipreo FC would finally break.

How wrong we were. Minutes from the end, Newby caught an Interactive Data player out near their goal with a strong tackle. Bearing down on goal, he smashed his shot past the helpless goalkeeper, unbelieveably putting four man Ipreo FC back in the lead! And that was how it stayed. 2-1 to Ipreo.

Today's game was a hard-fought victory. It showed grit, determination, and a never-say-die attitude, which the team had seemed to lose in recent games. Turning point? Maybe. Important victory? Possibly. Well-deserved? Definitely.

Going into the weekend, Ipreo FC remain top of the league, with 29 points from 9 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses. With only 6 games remaining, promotion beckons.

Watch this space for future news and updates on Ipreo FC's progress throughout the season.


Crow"

History in the making

Line ups:
Ipreo FC: Crow, Newby, Donovan, Rossi, Rire (Kieu)
Interactive Data: seriously, who cares?

Six seconds: GOAL! (Adam Rossi)

Four minutes: GOAL! (some guy for Interactive Data)

Six minutes: RED CARD! for a sliding tackle from behind (Adam Rossi) - first on pitch red card in the history of Hemscott/Ipreo FC

HT: Hemscott 1-1 Interactive Data

Fifteen minutes: GOAL! (Paul Newby)

Eighteen minutes: FINGER TIP SAVE! (Chris Crow)

Nineteen minutes: DIVE! (some cheating gimp from Interactive Data)

FT: Hemscott 2-1 Interactive Data

*all timings approximate & subject to further change following fact checking/pedantic emails from players. Match report may follow, but I've got work with which to be getting on.

Glorious 5-0 Victory!

Ipreo picked up all 3 points today thanks to their opponents forfeiting the match.

A new winning streak has just begun.

Player Crisis?

Rumours from the Ipreo FC camp suggest that the team may be in the midst of a player crisis. According to a source close to the club, several key members of the squad have had to withdraw from this week's crunch match versus FITCH.

Executive Director of Football, Colin Greer, was unavailble for comment. But our source informs us that the team is chasing the signature of a Marketpipe starlet.

Stay tuned for more details.