This game will go down in history as "the game that nearly wasn't", as we had the lowest turn-out of Fianna players since the team had David Kirby playing in central defense!  With Fabio Fiorito serving a one game suspension for yellow cards, there was only one sub for the "green men" to use... this was going to be a battle of attrition, as the Fianna "boyz" were going to have to dig deep and keep it real over these little kids with big lungs from various high schools around the city. 

The first half started off brightly, with Fianna controlling the tempo of the game and having a number of chances to open the scoring.  Anders Alm came close when David Parker whipped in a cross that Anders Alm just couldn't reach with an out-stretched leg.  Then David Parker came close with a shot just wide, and Jaime Valero saw another header hit the side netting.  Then on two separate free-kicks, Adam Froh saw each of these go just wide.  The breakthrough finally came in the 30th minute when Adam Froh broke through the Mamba defense and sent a low cross to the far post where David Parker was waiting to tap it in the net!  Fianna FC - 1  Mamba - 0!!!  Finally there was daylight and the birds were singing the praises of a Fianna side that had given a gift to there adoring fans... yes, there is a God and the benovolence of this deity was smiling on us... Okay, a little dramatic but you get the point.  At the break it was Fianna - 1  Mamba - 0

The half-time team talk was a good one as the "green and white" stepped back on the pitch with the hope of a generation on their shoulders.  However, as the second half progressed it became obvious that these men were getting tired chasing the game as these younger Mamba players started controlling possession and passing the ball around, looking for any opening they could find.  Twice there were Mamba players in on goal but both times their shots were saved by great 'keeping by Ash Noureldin!  Indeed, Ash was having a great game and it was unlucky that his team was tiring out in the closing minutes of the game.  Jaime Valero and David Parker were looking lonely up front as Fianna started tightening up into more of a shell defense and allowing the Mamba players more clear chances at goal.  In the 85th minute, a Mamba player earned a free-kick from around 25 yards out and rifled a low shot through the scramble of players into the bottom right corner to tie the game.  The "dancing leprechauns" didn't have the energy to dance any more and the game played out to a tie.  Fianna FC - 1  REU Mamba - 1.  This was a big blow to the "boyz" as they had defended well for the majority of the game but were let down by a "lucky" goal and a bad turn-out of players...

Player(s) of the Match:  There weren't many great individual performances during this game, but Alfie Kiernan and Adam Froh have to be awarded a joint award for this week for their great performances.  Alfie Kiernan defended extremely well, despite being the victim of a gang-beating the day before... and playing anyways despite the numerous stitches that he needed to stop the blood flowing all over his face.  Adam Froh played well and it was his midfield inspirational run that set up the Fianna goal. 

Moment of the Match:  Brian Leitch's clearing kick that was sent powerfully into a tree and then stayed there, forcing the Mamba player to have to climb the tree to retrieve the ball.

Quote of the Match:  "This reminds me of last year, except last year we were playing a man down for five games in a row... and Craig Lucas was our inspiration!"  -Anders Alm bemoans the attendance for this game... hoping in the back of his mind that there wouldn't be a "Craig Lucas" in the team today(Craig, if you read this... even you can't deny that I learned to miss the broad side of a barn from you...:)!!!