Adecco MOM BEFC vs Fussa - Donald Freeke

  • Adecco BEFC Man of the Match Award - Donald Freeke

BEFC kept their title challenge untouched with a record 9th straight win in all competitions over an athletic and physically strong Fussa team. The final score of 1 - 0 could have been a lot more, with BEFC having one of those familiar games of last season where the ball didn't want to end up in the net despite countless chances. When this happens and the attack push to kill the game this pressure builds up and up on the defensive line who did a fantastic job soaking up and shutting down the predictable Fussa counter attacks. The center back partnership was a new combination as BEFC welcomed back Air Marshall James Pounder, sporting his aviators and maustache, and Donald Freeke. Both forced in to service due to captain Ben Palmer taking up the goalie duty once more, stalwart Cael Husband called down to Kagoshima and Ewan Walton struck down with last minute flu.
It was this pair's stella performance that mustered the most praise in a very spread and incredibly fine Man of the Match award. The entire team again played well, especially in the opening half, getting more and more into controlled build up and play not rushing the forward ball until an opportunity to exploit space arises. However with the attack unable to kill the game off, plaudits went to the defence, especially in the final minutes where Fussa searched for that hopeful equaliser.
Man of the Match is given for a variety of reasons, and each player provides their own praise. In this game a lot of appreciation was given for what was seen as a real improvement in a particular player's game -- a brilliant and ultimately composed performance also in an irregular position. Donald Freeke did not put a foot wrong all game, calm on the ball and perhaps completing every pass, he encouraged moving the ball around the back as part of the build up play BEFC are focusing on improving. As well as a few cheeky runs forward that got a few hearts fluttering, he wasn't dispossessed and unloaded a good forward ball to spark the attack at the end of them. Defensively he played his dual role as the sweeping center back brilliantly, and communicated strongly, listening to his team mates to adjust positionally as needed which often corrected up the formation as it was pulled out by counter attacks. Donald is jokingly known for his special 'gravity' in futsal sessions where a 50/50 out of control ball will somehow inexplicably attach itself to Donald's feet and bobbles out in his possession. For a while this special power had not translated over to 11s, but in recent matches it appears Donald has made some tweaks to his quantum feet and it was on show as he blocked and won the challenges as Fussa forwards looked to bundle the ball through into the box for a shot from corner clearances and freekicks.
For a special performance, for the composure that radiated out to the players in front of him and instigating calm build up play from the back the Adecco Man of the Match versus Fussa is Donald Freeke!