It was a bit of a case of King George & The Dragon on Saturday between the British Embassy FC and the real King George. The two produced a real banquet of football, and on a cool knight the dark horses British Embassy FC rode off with 3 points and some restored pride.

Apart from goalkeeper Keith Crowley’s vocal heroics, British Embassy were unrecognisable from the side that was defeated by the upcoming division 3 side Pumas FC in the cup. In came Marco Alonso, who had been suffering from alcohol poisoning, and James Cane, who had been suffering from hypochondria, for Check Chin Chong and Ewan Walton, who had a nasty ‘snowboarding’s more important than BEFC’* injury in his mind. Whilst Cristiano Ronaldo’s colleague Moctar Diouf was available for his second appearance following an impressive debut two weeks earlier. He started on the bench due to a severe case of ‘not being able to play due to not actually being there when the game kicked off’ strain.

It was a cagey affair to begin with, both sides testing each other’s resolve. James Cane was clearly ring-rusty (oo-err!) and suffering from slight ‘I’m a bit scared and tired’ syndrome. Fortunately he was carried by the central midfield force field of James Pounder and Shun Ishihara, who battled hard with James Bates in the middle of the park to cut off supply to that goal scoring demon Winston Pool.

Out on the left, gorgeous Jorge Marenco (BEFC's own Spanish King Jeorge) was back to his industrious best. His link up play with friend and party maestro Marco down the left had King George contemplating who the real King was (there, got that in there) in honour of the man that slayed their team and ran off with his princess Teresa a bit later on in the night at An Solas, (which serves fine Irish and Japanese ales and has a warm, welcoming décor and caters to those with even the largest of appetites - Ben Palmer).

BEFC eventually got the all-important first goal through the mighty Marenco, who showed steel, metal, and even a bit of iron in forcing his way through, before sliding his finish past the keeper from just inside the area. The second came when a free kick was won on the left. Marco Alonso crossed dangerously one of those impossible balls to defend against and BEFC were 2 up. The game was taking its toll with BEFC president, Rich Oppenheim, pulling up with with 'hamstring oof' and limping to the bench just before half time.

A determined King George regrouped at half-time and came out strongly and a real tussle ensued to get control of the game. With BEFC in the unfamiliar position of being in the lead - could they hold on?

It was BEFC that got the break, with a carbon copy of the first goal. Juicy Jorge Marenco forced his way through the defence again without any help needed from his teammates. It was a great show of strength and determination with a touch of skill and yet again, after beating three or four players, he slid his finish into the corner of the net as the keeper came out.

BEFC nearly put the game to bed when Moctar Diouf made a tricky run across the byline towards goal, his footwork something to behold if it could be seen by human’s eyes** and the cries of penalty ensued as his run was ended abruptly. He was then granted the opportunity to take the penalty himself, but his shot was well saved by the keeper diving to his left.

King George needed to respond and so they did, laying siege to the Embassy goal, attacking with speed on both flanks, trying cutbacks, winning corners, hitting the post - goalkeeper Keith claims he saved it onto the post - and try as they might a goal would not come.

Suddenly a break for BEFC and that man Caner (he must have written this match review?) showed what he can do, picking up the ball just inside his own half on the right side of play and curled a sweet right footed pass into Moctar’s path, who with seemingly nothing on just thought,

‘Well, we are 3-0 up and I just missed a penalty. You know what! I think it’s best if I have a shot! Yes, that’s what I’ll do! And so it is decided! I WILL shoot this ball!’

And he smashed a looping, dipping shot above and beyond the keeper to score a truly lovely goal that drew plaudits from all present, including, probably, some bloke walking his dog. The BEFC players lined up to congratulate him, some even pulling out a notepad and pen and stuttering, ‘Can you make it out to…..errr……my mate who has the same name as me? Ta!’.

The relief was palpable on the BEFC team’s faces upon hearing the final whistle. It was huge to get the first win of the season, especially against King George who have been playing really well this season climbing high up the table.

Yazz once said ‘The Only Way Is Up’, D-Ream pronounced ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ and the Style Council bellowed ‘Shout to the Top’. Well, after this performance, all of those wonderful songs sound like they are becoming of this BEFC team. BEFC should not get carried away though, “One swallow and all that”, though the team celebrations did continue at An Solas later that evening.

Final Score
British Embassy FC 4 – 0 King George 
Marenco (2),
Own Goal,
Moctar Diouf, James Cane assist. 

* allegedly; cited - James Cane
** 'Human's eyes' is incorrect grammar, grammar hounds.......but I LIKE it!

By James Adam Cane, Winner of the BEFC Stanley Kubrick Award 2014