SOBS V BEES

The Lads welcomed the Busy Bees of west London to town on a chilly autumnal evening and came out 3-2 winners after a match that was the epitome of a game of two halves. Our shadow squad looked to be cruising after popping in three in 13 minutes in the middle of the first half, but then got a bit sloppy and let one in three minutes after the third. We didn't get to grips with the second half as we had the first, but, despite an added time second for the visitors, deserved the win. 

Despite the minibus satav taking us along the 1232 (which we never use) it also took us back over the river via the Spire because we'd agreed a post-match pick-up near Keel Square. Never mind - we were in our seats in plenty of time. In fact, the three I'd bought for the first three generation visit weren't far from my usual spot, and a bit of judicious waving from my neighbour Brian meant we three were together where I've sat since the ground opened. We'd expected some changes from Sunday, but not eleven - that's not tinkering with the the team, it's replacing it!

Would Brentford have the same idea? Let's see.

Ellborg 

Browne Alderete Danso (c) Methalie 

Talbi Ahoka

Ta Bi Diarra Fofana 

Tutierov 

..and a bench of Moore, O'Nien, Rigg, Scott, Proctor, Whitaker, Ogunsuyi, Meunier, and Jenson Jones.

We faced north and the yellow-clad Bees kicked off backed by a decent, and noisy, following. We seemed keen to get forward and Browne found himself on the left for a wee while, with Alderete also pushing forward to head a cross back only to see Ahoka blast it just wide - a promising opening. With three wingers on the field it was Talbi who stayed central and every touch of his brought applause as the fans made their opinion of him clear.

We were moving it about confidently, showing that if you replace the whole side you can't disrupt it, and Diarra had a good gallop down the left to win a throw. Danso was on long hoy duty, but Brentford were big enough to get it away. They managed a run down their left at about eight o'clock but the shot was wide of the front post. Their tails went up for a while and the won a corner on their right which caused a bit of havoc - and a header hit Ellborg's left hand post and a free was given to us after a bit of a melee. We let them down the left again and this time they got a a shot on target, but Ellborg tipped it over. Good save, young man. 

We kept the corner out but Fofana had to chase back to produce some good defensive work after Toots couldn't turn onto the ball on halfway. Lively stuff. 

We defended another corner and got it into the centre circle where their defender made a mess of it and Talbi picked it up, feeding Ahoka. He got it out to Ta Bi on the right, who shot low from the corner of the box. Look, despite the slightest touch from the keeper it might have gone in off the foot of the post, it might not, but we're Sunderland and it would probably have rolled into the keeper's hands, so Talbi did exactly what all good footballers do and popped it away from about six inches. That's 15cm in new money, and we were ahead on 26. Cue three generations of Sobses going a bit wild. 

We'd barely had time to settle from that when Ta Bi got into the box, wriggled bus way to the line, and cut it back low to the waiting Toots, who simply planted it home for 2-0.

Wemberlee, Wemberlee....wind yer neck in, man!

We'd knocked the stuffing out of the visitors and played it around nicely to draw the sting out of them (Bees, sting, geddit?). To be fair, they did try to play and got forward but were obviously missing a few first choices - not as many as I thought, as Thiago was actually on the field but obviously thinks little of the Rumbleows/Milk/Whatever cup and didn't really put himself about at all. While this slowed us up for a bit, the enthusiasm youth always threatened to bite the opposition, and it did with six minutes to go to the break. Out to the right it went, into the box went Toots, and he did well to play it back to Ta Bi.  Once again he showed his skill - and this time added a bit of patience before swapping feet and crossing to the back post where we had two players waiting. Fofana was there first to simply nod it in - it might have been dreadful defending, but I'm not the only one who doesn't care. 3-0 on 39.

Unfortunately, we sort of lost our rhythm after that goal and Brentford looked a lot more dangerous. A cross from their right was met with a volley that didn't threaten our goal but bounced into the the path of some ex mag who hit it in off the bar.

Bah.  

We survived the two added minutes, even nearly having a repeat of our second when Ta Bi made the space, but it was blocked  and spent the break wondering if we, or they, would introduce the Big Guns in the second half. In our case, more air rifles thanks big guns, but you wouldn't fancy getting shot with one. 

As it was, we replaced Diarra with Rigg and Brentford upped their game. After several minutes of trying to get in top of things, Alderete took a whack near halfway and the Donnarumna rule, intended to stop players pretending to be hurt, kept him off the field after treatment for what seemed like an age.

Five minutes after that, Brentford brought on their first choice midfield, and it made a real difference. In answer, we brought in Meunier and Luke for Toots and a clearly crocked Aldo. They began to control the midfield and deny us any space there, so we simply had to let them get on with it and pick up the pieces when we could. Fortunately, we're quite good at that, and defending.

Mind, with the best will in the world, Talbi isn't a centre forward even though he and Rigg chased the yellow defence down well. After a comfy save by Ellborg, Ta Bi was away again, and although his attack only brought a goal kick, their keeper fluffed it. Rigg picked it up, but ran across the edge of the box looking for the perfect opportunity rather than just having a penk. Result? Shot charged down when it should have been 4-1. 

As we didn't have control of the midfield, we hoofed our goal kicks up the field, generally towards Ta Bi, and he took a boot in the face for what was one of numerous fouls he was subjected to. That one might have been an accident, but there were at least three more on the lad that weren't - two pulls/pushes on halfway that brought yellows and foul that brought us a free near the box. 

With about ten to go, Ahoka and Luke were hurt as they helped clear the ball before Brentford fired over, then Talbi made way for young Proctor. Brentford created some confusion in our box, so we responded with some proper old school defending - get in the way of it then hoof it as far as you can. Find touch way up the field, in other words - something Luke just loves. 

There was yet another foul on Ta Bi, then Rigg was set up again but shot just side. 

There were late cards for a late one one on Luke and for Riggs' clumsy one outside our box wide on our left - and we defended the free kick. 

Another foul on Ta Bi on halfway, another card, them five added minutes were announced. It got a wee bit desperate when  Thiago's glancing header squirmed between Ellborg's feet to make it 3-2, but that was it, really. There was still time for Scott to replace Ta Bi, who'd been kicked from pillar to post and clearly needed a sit down, then the added minutes were up and we were into the quarter finals. 

Man of the Match?

A thoroughly professional performance by Browne, great shifts from Talbi and Fofana, but for sheer entertainment, enthusiasm, and three assists it has to be Ta Bi. In case you hadn't noticed, he's also in your head. 

Oh, and special mention to the catering staff in the West Stand who decided to donate the Balti Pies to science....or us.