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Post by daveh on Nov 13, 2017 11:24:24 GMT 2
Yesterday an 11.28am ko at Nymphes witth sunny intervals, spots of rain, the pitch very wet especially by stand after Saturday s storms Sfakera got back to winning ways against bottom team, whose name i couldnt find out.
Press says name is Thella - i not much wiser. It means Storm in English.
Just 9 watching at ko the crowd, lol, never exceeded 18.
Sfakera had Eddie and his brother plus Messina back but Leddi was ill and goalie Nikos unavailable. Costas moved from fullback to goalkeeper, Messina at centre half, Pana dropped back into midfield.
A shaky start saw the visitors take a shock lead in 2nd minute when a deflected shot beat Costas at the post to crawl overline. After a couple missed opportunities Sfakera equalisedon 14 minutes when Pano headed home a free kick. Sfakera continued to dominate, on 25 minutes the winger clean through blazed his shot high over the bar, 3 minutes later a shot hits the post. Finally in the 38th a breakaway, the winger passes square to give Eddie a tap in. 2-1 to Sfakera at HT.
in the 51st minute a defender missed a through ball, the centre forward nipped in behind to extend Sfakera's lead. In the 55th minute it was 4-1 as the centre forward scored with a cross shot after the ball had bobbled around box. A minute later the visiting goalkeeper tipped a shot onto the bar. On 62 minutes it was 5-1 as the winger was left an easy chance following a good move.
On 66minutes a visiting player was shown the yellow card for shouting 'm...ka' at a Sfakera player. The centre forward was substituted, Spiro came on at the back and Messina moved up front. Just 2 minutes later Messina missed a header when well placed. In the 71st minute a miss hit shot by Eddie found Messina who fired across the keeper to make it 6-1. 2 minutes later the Sfaker defence stood still expecting an offside but Costas made a smart save. Visitors then fire a freekick wide and another chance when well placed. In the 81st minute Messina cut in from the right wing and fired in goal 7.
Instead of restarting play the referee blew for FT. 7-1 to Sfakera.
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Post by daveh on Nov 16, 2017 9:03:32 GMT 2
Yesterday afternoon saw a 3pm ko away to Sinarades at Kanoni. The cloudy wet weather had given way to a sunny afternoon but the wind was gusting making play tricky, particularly in the first half. The crowd grew slowly to max at 35.
Again Costas in goal, Leddi back in defence and Messini moved to midfield.
First real action was a crisp shot by Messini in 19th minute that was tipped over for a corner. In the 27th Leddi made a good covering tackle to concede a corner. After 29 minutes a deep free kick by Leddi caused cofusiin in wind, not cleared it bobble in box where the Sfakera no 8, playing in defence poked home to give Sfakera the lead.6 minutes later Pano had a long range shot tipped over for a corner. On 38 minutes a throw to Sfakera, Messini who had just previously had words with young opponent, elbow him to head. Referee missed it, fortunate not to be sent off. On 40 minutes a nice through ball into the box by Pano, the centre forward turns and shoots, 2-0 to Sfakera. The home players were getting at Messini and an off ball incident in 43rd was seen by referee and Messini was given a red card. It took a couple minutes and 6 Sfakera players to drag angry Messini off the pitch!
HT 2-0
2nd half saw Eddie drop to midfield leaving 2 up front, Sinarades made a substitution, followed by another on 55minutes. Sinarases attack and get to bye line to cut back on goal but Costas blocked. On 63 Eddie finally gave in to foot injury and hobbled off. 5 minutes later Costas made a diving save to stop a deflected shot. The ball was cleared upfield where the centre half stopped the Sfakera winger with an elbow and was shown a red card. 10 a sude now, Sinarades make 3rd substitution. On 74 minutes Pano receive ball from throw on left, worked padt 2 defenders into bix and fired in at the near post, 3-0. A minute later a long shot by Alexis was ell saved to concede a corner. Shortly after Sfakera break away again, the winger pushed off the ball, penalty. Sonehow the referee gave a free kick outside the box, which was curled just over the bar. 78th minute Sinarades make 4th substitution and Sfakera respond, Pano and full back off and 2 fresh players, both Spiros come on. In 81st minute a cirner to Sinarades, ball clear to edge box, a rasping shot, defender try flykick clearance which flew off shin over goalkeeper into top corner, 3-1. 2 minutes later when in goid position Sinarades fure high over bar. On 86 they again break but shot too early frim outside box and it went tamely wide. On 90minutes Sfakera make their 4th substitution. 2 minutes later Sfakera miss chance to head clear, 2nd defender try to kick away but just kicked the atracker trying to head ball, penalty. Scored 3-2.Costas picks up ball, Sinarades players mob him in goal to get ball and a scuffle involving most players ensued, one Sinarades played laying in back of net. The referee finalky regained control, booked 2 players. On 96 minutes FT.
Sfakera win 3-2.
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Post by smg on Nov 16, 2017 11:36:24 GMT 2
It's a pity some of these games can't be filmed they sound very entertaining!!!!
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Post by davelinda on Nov 16, 2017 15:54:13 GMT 2
Dave Me thinks you were getting a bit excited Hope you are keeping well Dave&Linda
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Post by daveh on Nov 16, 2017 16:25:15 GMT 2
We have games against the undefeated teams soon, need Jonathan back for sure but i think he away another 2 weeks. Meantime 6 wins from 7 a great start to season. Yes i loving it, it is fun, players respond when you shout to them hold as offside etc, my fog horn still going well. 📯⚽
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Post by daveh on Nov 19, 2017 17:59:48 GMT 2
This morning Sfakera played at Nymphes against Keravnos Dragotina from the far south of Corfu. It was chilly with sunny intervals, grey clouds over the mountains behind Episkepsi and a light wind. Nikos was back but Costas remained in goal, Messini suspended and Jonathan still away.
After a quiet opening Sfakera took a 7th minute lead when a lobbed cross found Eddie unmarked to head in at the back post. Pano had 2 chances to extend the lead, firing wide from the edge of the box and haing a header saved from a corner. In the 18th minute the visitors call for a penalty as players fall to ground, not given. However a minute later a throw in by corner flag saw a visitor lob goalwards from bye line inside box, the ball going over Costas into goal to equalise. Shortly after the visitors nearly took the lead, miss a shot when well placed and putting the follow up well wide. On 28minutes Eddie broke through the middle and drilled his shot in off the post from the edge of the box. Three minutes later following a throw the winger again lobbed a cross, this time no 9 was at tge back to smash home to give Sfakera a 3-1 lead. On 37 minutes Costas failed to hold a low shot and a forward beat him to the ball to pull one back. Costas did just enough to foil an equaliser on 45 minutes. HT 3-2 to Sfakera.
A substitution by the visitors at half time. On 54 minutes the winger ran at defence and chipped the goalie to make it 4-2. A minute later it was 5 as Yannis shot from fully 30 yards to score off the underside of the bar. The visitors had three chances in the next 10 minutes, shooting wide when well placed and Costas making 2 saves conceding corners. In the 66th minute Pano made a 40 yard crossfield pass to the no 9 who shot first time across the keeper to make it 6-2. On 69 minutes the Sfakera winger was substituted and replaced by young player, Sfakera then seemed to lose their shape and the visitors take control of the play, head wide at back post, have goal ruled out correctly for offside before pulling one back in the 76th minute, shooting in a freekick from the edge of box past a diving Costas. On 81 minutes Costas block a shot, however the cleared ball was crossed back in, a visitor free at the back scored to make it 6-4. On 85 minutes a through ball, Eddie stood still as offside and the no 9 reacted quickly shot but his effort hit the bar. On 91 minutesa 2nd substitution by Sfakera as a player was injured. The game ended 3 minutes later.
Sfakera win 6-4, the attendance reached 43.
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Post by daveh on Nov 19, 2017 18:14:52 GMT 2
Two of the top teams met yesterday, the result of that meaning that Sfakera are now one of 4 teams all on 21 points at the top of the league. Teams miss a week now and again as 15 team league but 3 of top including Sfakera have all won 7 from 8, the other 7 from 9. Next week Sfakera are away at Petriti against Ag Nicholas one off the other joint league leaders.
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Post by janiemou on Nov 20, 2017 16:49:59 GMT 2
Two of the top teams met yesterday, the result of that meaning that Sfakera are now one of 4 teams all on 21 points at the top of the league. Teams miss a week now and again as 15 team league but 3 of top including Sfakera have all won 7 from 8, the other 7 from 9. Next week Sfakera are away at Petriti against Ag Nicholas one off the other joint league leaders. Hi Dave, you couldn't put their match schedule up could you as we would like to get to a match sometimes, Jan
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Post by daveh on Nov 20, 2017 17:41:37 GMT 2
Saturday 25th November - away in Petriti v Ag Nicholas ko 3.15pm Sunday 3rd December - home at Nymphes vNeos Olympos ko 11am Thursday 7th December - home at Nymphes v Velos ko 3pm Saturday 9th December - away at Kassioppi v Wolves ko 3pm Sunday 17th December - home at Karousades v ? Ko 11am
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Post by daveh on Nov 26, 2017 11:27:03 GMT 2
Yesterday on a cloudy day with light winds and sunny intervals Sfakera made the long journey to Petriti to play Ag Nicholas. A lovely pitch but just an open standing area and a few metal benches resting on bricks. Odd as Asteras Petriti play here as well and were Champions of the A league just 2 years ago and played in, but relegated from, Greek C League last season.
Sfakera were missing Eddie up front as he was at a wedding, Jonathan, on holiday and suspended Messini (for 6 games). The lack of the height of these 3 would prove crucial as the home side are tall players and the no 9 about 6ft 8inches!
The crowd maxed at around 50. Early exchanges saw the ball in the air a lot. Aftr 13minutes a Sfakera cross nuts from the left went well wide, Ag Nicholas responded with a lobbed nuts, also well wide. Treatment was needed for young Sthathis who suffrred 2 hard knocks and Costas in goal after a brave save. Costas recovered to tip a long shot off bar for a corner in the 37th minute. 6 minutes later a deep free kick found its wzy to the bye line and was dragged back, a fierce shot beat Costas despite him getting a hand on the ball, 1-0. On the 45th minute anither free kick into the box, headed towards goal and Yannus tried to save, penalty and a red card. Ag Nicolas score and it was 2-0 at HT.
Just 8 minutes into the second half and another break into the box by Ag Nicholas ended with Leddi mistiming a tackle, yellow card and penalty, 3-0. Siros Martinos came on for Spiros on wing but it made little change though Sfakera were finally trying to play their usual passing game that had been missing in the 1st half. On 57 minutes there was an amazing miss by Ag Nicholas, Costas blocked a shot, the striker hit the post with the follow up when the goal was gaping, the ball rebounded to another striker who from 3 yards and with the goal at his mercy somehow managed to hit the ball so softly Costas was able to claw off the line for a corner. In the 61st minute it became 4-0 when a breakaway down the wing, resulted in a cross into the goal area where an unmarked striker hit home. A couple of minutes later Nikos (goalkeeper who currently has cgest injury stopping him play in goal) came on as full back. In the 68th minute Ag Nicholas had anither breakaway, 3 on 1 but try to almost walk ball into goal and it was cleared for a corner. Costas made a smart save in the 77th minute. Shortly after Alexis received a yellow card. Anither deep free kick on 83 minutes found a player unmarked at the back post and his nuts went in off Costas to make it 5-0. On 88minutes the Sfakera no 9 was also shiwn yellow. Finally in the 91st minute Ed on wing broke into box and was fouled. Panos scored a consolation from the spot. FT 5-1 to Ag Nicholas.
Neos Olympos won the other game of the top teams so Sfakera now joint 3rd, playing the 2 teams above them in their next two games.
Just opposite the large white twin towered church behind one goal is a modern building. It houses a karate gym and a club shop for Asteras Petriti. Below a club flag there is a table full of trophies they have won.
Height and a failure to deal with many long high free kicks was a big problem for Sfakera today, Jonathan is back next week which will help but the truth is Sfakera do not have as strong a squad as the other top teams.
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Post by daveh on Dec 4, 2017 8:43:52 GMT 2
Yesterday an early thunderstorm cleared to sunny intervals but the pitch was still soggy on the stand side for the 11am ko v league leaders Neos Olympios. Jonathan was back from his holidays, Eddie back too. Yannis and Messini suspended.
A quick start by visitors saw a save for a corner in the 4th minute. The resulting corner resulted in a scramble at the near post, not cleared or saved but poked in for a 1-0 lead to Olympios. Visitors continue to dominate play, had deep midfielder in front back 4 who was always free to clear up or get ball from keeper to start attacks. Another long shot well saved by returning Nikos in 8th. In 16th following a corner, Jonathan tried to head clear but unfortunately scored own goal, 2-0 to Olympios. Sfakera finally had a good attack in 18th minute which resulted in a corner, well cleared. Nikos made a good save in 20th but nearly muck up long back pass in 34th, try flick ball round striker who got foot in, he just grab ball and scoop for corner. Ht 0-2 to Olympios.
2nd half, officials change from red tops to black, must have felt they clash with Olympios who played in maroon like Roma do. Sfakera seem to have made change to shape to cooe with the deep lying midfielder and Eddie found space to fire a 30 yarder onto top crossbar in the 47th minute. In 59th Sfakera have a free kick just outside box but Pano hit it high over goal. Olympios nearly scored in the 71st when a cross found a striker free but Nikos saved the header for a corner. A minute later Olympios were down to 10 when a lunging two footed challenge by the substitute winger resulted in his 2nd yellow card so also a red. Sfakera push forward and in 80th a deep free kick found Pano at back post but his effort went just wide. A minute later Costas (been in goal of late), who was on as sub made a sublime 45 yard diagonal pass over defence with both Pano and Eddie running through, Eddie control and fire past the goalie, 1-2. The visitors were panicking and breaking play with fouls, packing their defence and relying on breakaways, usually offside buy up to 7 yards as striker never hang back in own half till ball was hit. Unfortunately Sfakera never got another chance. FT 1-2. Attendance 54.
The game whilst played hard was never dirty yet the referee was card happy, any hard challenge or slightest hint of dissent resulted in a yellow card. Two in 1st half, 9 in 2nd (one being a 2nd yellow result in red card). He also booked the visiting manager and later dismissed the visiting coach from the dugout. Six yellows to Sfakera, 2 for dissent, 4 for fouls - one in particular was very harsh after what was a 50/50 challenge, both players to ground but up quickly and no usual cry of agony by player if he been fouled. Despite all the delays to his bookings, 4 substitutions, an injury stoppage the referee only added 3 minutes time.
Whilst Sfakera looked to lack fitness and organisations of Olympios they did manage to compete in 2nd half once they had re shaped. Their players lack some of the ball control and passing accuracy of opponents but the game showed with the right mindset they can compete with the top teams in the league, if not challenge for the title. A 4th place finish is not beyond their capabilities.
Next up Velos at home Thursday at 3pm, they being 3rd in the league, Sfakera currently 4th.
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Post by daveh on Dec 7, 2017 21:14:22 GMT 2
Today was a lovely sunny cloudlessday but the pitch at Nymphes was in shade and chilly. 34 were in attendance, Sfakera playing in red and black stripes due to Velos wearing green and black shirts. No Jonathan today, he broke bones in his hand during the last match. Yannis back from suspension.
Ko 3pm. First chance to visitors on 7minutes cleared the bar. First yellow card in 9th for retaliation by Velos player. In 19th a chance to Sfakera but a deep free kick was headed wide. Odd monent on 23 minutes when a late arriving Velos player enters dressing room and then goes onto bench! Velos nearly score on 28 minutes when a defender missed a header, the shot came of the strikers knee and hit the bar before being cleared. Velos shoot high over from a free kick on31 minutes, Sfakera have a header saved following a freekick on 38 minutes. In the final five minutes Velos had 2 chances, hiting yhe side netting from a free kick when they had spare players at the back and shooting wide across goal. In the last minute Eri (who i been calling Eddie in previous reports) was caught offside. HT 0-0
In the first couple of minutes of second half both sides had chances, Sfakeras shot being well saved, Velos chances going well wide. On 53 minutes Sfakera defender stops ball on line, linesman on opposite side pitch flags corner, yellow card for protest (the ball never crossed the line, in fact it was stationary on line where player stop it during the booking, something the referee failed to note!). On 55 minutes a chase down wing, foul by Sfakera no 9. The Velos defender front up, was pushed to ground, yellow card, then red. Sfakera down to 10 men again (clearly players need to learn not to be silly when already on a yellow but here football becomes passionate). Strangely the referee then started shouting, he wasn't happy with sent off player being in changing room so delayed game 5 minutes while he changed and left ground! In the 64th minute Velos had 2 successive corners, 2nd resulted in a shot from edge of box which Nikos parried, the ball in air was headed in by striker, 1-0 to Velos. Just 2 minutes later a deep free kick resulted in Eri equalising with a header. In the 70th Sfakera almost took the lead, Eri through lob the ball, the leaping goalkeeper just get his fingertips to ball to prevent a goal, the defenders clear. Just a minute later the Velos centre forward headed wide when just 6 yards from the centre of the goal. In the 74th minute another deep freekick by Leddi, Eri heads over goalkeeper to give 10 man Sfakera a 2-1 lead. In the 77th minute the Velos centre forward theatrically dived to try and win penalty, the ref played on, a follow up was well saved by Nikos. Clearly they dont show yellow cards here for simulation! Substitutions were being made, Velos pushing forward, their no 10 making great use of the space due to an extra player, but were restricted to long shots, all high over or wide. One free kick was headed at goal but smartly saved by Nikos, however 3 were offside. In 85th panos put a lovely ball through to the onrushing Eri only for him to be flagged offside. Just a minute later Velos break into box, Nikos partially saves diving at players feet, ball goes across box and Sfaffie tripped player attempting to tackle, penalty. Convetted 2-2. There were 5 minutes added time for the earlier delay but no real chances, Velos being offside when breaking.
FT 2-2. There then followed a scrap between half dozen players, the referee and linesmen took no notice just walked off pitch, not even a whistle or attempt to stop, caution or send off post game. Due to their non action the scuffle got worse, Staffie was left prone, almost knocked out, with a nasty head wound bleeding - fortunately the Doctor was still on hand. The arguments continued outside the changing rooms for nearly 10 minutes while the referee and linesmen remained behind their closed changing room door. If there are any repercussions following the end of match fiasco then the officials should be the first to be disciplined, their job does not end with the final whistle but when the players have all entered their respective changing rooms.
So Sfakera remain 4th a point behind Velos. We move onto Kassioppi on Saturday to play bottom of league Wolves.
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Post by stevie on Dec 7, 2017 22:19:01 GMT 2
Thanks for sharing Dave , we saw them play in September for a cup game when one of the team decided to walk off at half time so they had to play with 10 for the second half, Looking forward to seeing them play next September again.
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Post by daveh on Dec 10, 2017 22:22:41 GMT 2
Today a short trip to Kassioppi to play bottom of the league Wolves in a 3pm ko. Pitch still wet from yesterday but it was a sunny afternoon with passing clouds giving shade. Onathan injured, no big Yiannis and no Staffie who was injured after the game on Thursday. 1 minute silence before ko at 3pm.
A bright start with both teams passing ball around, Eri had a shot blocked and cleared for a corner in the 8th minute. 2 minutes later a good break by Sfakera and Eri into box, he doesn't shoot but passrs square to give Pano a tap in. 0-1 to Sfakera. In the 14th Leddi hit a 35 yard free kick just wide and a minute latr the winger cut in on the right, flicked a shot over the goalkeeper that landed on the roof of the net. A yellow card to Sfakera for a pull back in midfield. In the 25th minute Pano robbed a defender and broke into the box, was tripped. Penalty, delay as spot in wrong place and referee had to pace out! No 11 shot to left side but diving keeper saved, it was cleared. On 29 minutes Wolves swung in a corner which Pano headed over for another at back post, the 2nd corner was similar but the defence left it to go out for goal kick. A good Sfakera attack in the 35th minute, again square not shoot but this time the defence cleared for a corner from which Eri had a header saved. Two minutes later Eri shot wide when well placed. Another break by Sfakera in the 40th with a nice passing move ending in yhe box with Pano, about to shoot he seemed to lose control but manage pass to Eri who made it 2-0. All Sfakera now and shortly later an Eri header is deflected and saved by the goalkeeper but in the 44th minute another good passing break sees the defender miss a chance to clear and Eri makes it 3. HT 3-0 to Sfakera.
The second half continued with Sfakera controlling play, a shot over in 46th, Alexis a shot saved 48th for a corner yhat was cleared. In the 53rd a counter attack, great through ball by Pano, no 11 has shot saved for a corner. The ball was played to the near post where the no 11 scored with a header to make it 4-0. Two minutes later Sfakera mae a substitution, Costas off from left back, Alexis droos back and sub goes up front. While Sfakera were reshaping a deep free kick by Wolves found an unmarked player who back headed over Nikos, 1-4. The next quarter hour Sfakera lost concentration and stopped playing as they had been, Eri was offside twice and shown yellow for argue re a throw against him (he was right it should have been Sfakera ball but pointless argue when referee made decision). Nikos made a good punching save, being fouled in process, and Wolves shoot wide following a corner. Sfakera had 2 quick corners in the 64th but the goalie punch clear. Now Sfakera's attacks were breaking down without getting into shoting positions but they were slow getting back into position leaving the midfield free so play was end to end. In the 69th Leddi had a shot well saved and his follow up was wide. Sfakera made a 2nd substitution taking off a midfielder, the young replacement (recently poor when used up front) played in defence and did much better. In the 71st Pano just failed to connect cleanky with a flying scissors kick and the goalkeeper saved. Shortly after a corner by Spiros was miskicked into his own goal by a defender at the near post, 1-5. Sfakera made it 6 less than a minute later, throw to unmarked Pano, he swings ball into box, Eri lunges for a flick, goalkeeper cannot reach and it a goal - reactions suggest Eri didn't make contact so Pano's goal. In the 79th Pano headed over with his hat-trick chance. A Wolves break in the 82nd needed Nikos to come out of box to just beat attacker to half clear, the follow up shot went wide. Another Wolves break in the 84th minute this time the shot high over bar and fence and on its way towards the fish farm! A delay as the spare balls had already been bagged, the referee therefore decided to blow for full time.
Sfakera win 6-1, attendance 31 (included 15 children). Not 100% sure but i dont yhink Velos had game this weekend so Sfakera are up to 3rd place in league.
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kaz
Roda Anorak
Posts: 3,961
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Post by kaz on Dec 11, 2017 13:46:20 GMT 2
Pleased to hear Sfakera won this match
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