FC Britanico de Madrid

15/04/2012 – La Elipa

FCB Regional 1-6 Club Juventud Elipa “A”

The Regional lads were taught a harsh lesson on Sunday by a clinical Club Juventud. The second place side took control of the game and were worthy of their victory against the brits.

14/04/2012 – Getafe

Installaciones 3-2 FCB Bunwer

Another “very nearly” match for the Bunwer lads, with a superb yet fruitless performance away from home.

Match Report by Michael Langan

“FCB Bunwer returned to league action following the Easter break, looking to add points to performances. Facing Instalaciones, FCB were again handed a big task as they travelled to Getafe. FCB lined up: Hutchinson, Renucci, Ojo, Fletcher, Carling, Langlands, Cespedes, N Boyle, C Boyle, Madris and Gomm. FCB started slow, and were soon under sustained pressure from Instalaciones. After five minutes, the home side were awarded a penalty after a clumsy tackle from Michael Langlands in the box. However, Hutchinson was to set the tone for an inspired display by keeping the score levels and sparing blushes. Unfortunately, FCB were unable to capitalise on this, and Instalaciones continued to press forward, with a goal seeming inevitable. After finally managing to acquire a foothold in the game, however, FCB were punished with some slack play at a corner lead to the home side taking the lead. It was a cruel blow having seemingly seen out the initial barrage, but was little more than the home side deserved. However, buoyed by their recent performances, FCB remained undeterred and redoubled their efforts to find the back of the net. Just before half time, they did after some good build up play was turned home, albeit somewhat fortuitously, by Carling at the far post. With half time looming, FCB seemed to have salvaged something to take in at half time, until cruel fortune allowed the home side to seize the advantage once more and send FCB in 2-1 down.

The second half began more evenly than the first, with FCB playing with a real belief they could cause an upset in Getafe. Gomm and Madris both went close with efforts as the league leaders looked somewhat shaken. With the game evenly poised, however, Instalaciones seized a two goal advantage after a fine strike from 25 yards moved past Hutchinson and into the corner. Seeking an alternative means of attack, Rami looked for a more dynamic midfield replacing cunning Cespedes with incoming Josh Franco and bringing the mercurial Ishmael Majid on for Chaz Boyle. Neither however were involved in the second goal, which was wonderful 30 yard strike from Michael, further consolidating his position as top goalscorer and all round top bloke. With 20 minutes to go, FCB had a goal and real momentum. Pushing forward in waves, Josh Franco was unlucky after rounding the goal keeper and Ishmael Majid also unlucky not to see his deliveries met at the far post. The turning point, however, occurred ten minutes from the end. Reece Carling, moving quickly by two men, was inexplicably felled in the box as he was about to shoot, though the referee waved away FCB protests. At this point, the home side resorted to stalling tactics to see down the clock. In fairness, they were ably abetted by some terrific players in possession, as they frustrated FCB and consigned them to a fourth defeat in five. The manner, however of the last three performances, has been inestimably better than the closing games of the first round of Bunwer affairs. With four home games to come, FCB must now seek to push on and propel themselves up a table they are more than capable of competing in.

MOTM: Matthew Hutchinson
Goalscorers: Reece Carling and Michael Langlands

31/03/2012 – La Elipa

FCB Bunwer 1-1 Cervezas Mahou

Rami Majid was left fuming after his side failed to take all three points against the 9 men of ageing side Cervezas Mahou today. The brits had several chances to win the game in the second half, however, they ultimately couldn’t find the net as Mahou ran the clock down.

Match Report by Tom Pope

“With a deceptively large squad available to him, Bunwer manager was faced with the difficult selection of stringing together a side largely composed of defenders. The brits started with Hutch in goals, a back line of Ally, Will (y style), Omar (smuggled back from Germany) and Reece, with a midfield four of Nestor, Ish, Steve Cespedes and Nick Boyle. The front line was led by the dubiously late-arriving George and the even later Bini.

Despite a thorough warm up, the brits were sluggish from the off, slack passes, second to the ball and incorrect decision-making. Their poor start was quickly punished when, after 3-men attempted to header the same ball, the Cervezas Mahou number 22 had time to steady himself unchallenged and send a looping 35 yard volley over Hutch. The response from the brits was not great, and it took another 20 minutes for them to get into the game. With increasing pressure on the Cervezas Mahou backline, the brits were beginning to win free kicks around the area, and after a wonderful cross from Steve Cespedes, George Gomm had the simple task of nodding home at the back post to draw the teams level. The goal spurred FCB on and they continued to push before half time. They were unable to add to their tally, although they came close a couple of times including a Bini free kick which struck the Mahou cross-bar.

Rami tried to add some creativity to the second half performance, replacing Nestor with the impeccably handsome Karim, however, Cervezas Mahou continued playing a frustrating game of closing the brits down at every opportunity. The brits dominated the second half in terms of chances and possession. Substitute Karim fired in several excellent shots from distance, whilst the clearest opening fell to George who was unable to connect with a cross from the left inside the Mahou box. Further changes were made, with Steve Cespedes, then Big Willy Style going off to be replaced by Arnar and Kiki.

With time ticking down, Cervezas Mahou were reduced first to 10 and then 9 men, with it looking a certainty that FCB Bunwer’s youth and extra numbers would surely be able to see off their opposition, however, chance after chance was missed. Arnar unable to control when in space in the box, George forcing a good save from the keeper after Arnar’s clever flick on and Bini heading straight at the keeper from a corner. Cervezas Mahou stuck to their game plan of frustration, wasting time and winding the brits up and, to their credit, they won the mental battle on the field. They could have snatched all three points late on too, but for a wonderful block from FCB captain Hutch.

And so it became clear that a goal was not going to come, and Karim compounded the matter by showing his ugly side to the referee and earn himself an unnessecary red card. With no game next week, the Bunwer lads will be practising their shooting.“

MOTM Reece Carling

25/3/2012 – La Elipa

FCB Regional 1-6 CD Nuevas Palomeras

The Brits had a disappointing Sunday at home to Nuevas Palomeras as they struggled to find any traction in the game. They remain in 13th place, 1 point ahead of C.F Fenix.

Match report to follow

24/3/2012 – The Canodromo

Union Seleccion 2-1 FCB Bunwer

It was the same old story of so near and yet so far once again for the Bunwer lads as 90 minutes of hard work and fine play proved futile. With the points having been returned to 0 after the league split, the Brits were out to prove themselves against a team who finished joint top in the first phase of the season, however, Rami Majid will still need to find the extra spark to keep FCB in the hunt for the championship.

“This was a tale of what might have been, had Silky’s arm stayed vertical, if the ref had awarded FCB a penalty for a trip on Bini they might well have snatched a point or even beaten the champs in their own back yard.  Stirring performance from Rami’s lads who clearly rattled Union Seleccion and banished the memories of the humiliating defeat suffered 2 months ago in the reverse fixture.  If this kind of form can be maintained…….the rest of the league better watch out!!!!”

Match report to follow.

The Liga Bunwer has released the fixture list for the remainder of the season, with FCB being handed a tough start away from home against a Union Seleccion side fresh from winning the 1st half of the Bunwer season. The points have been set to zero now though, and manager Rami Majid will ensure no respect is wasted on the opposition as the brits aim to show what end of the table they should be fighting at.

17/3/2012 – Villa de Vallecas

FC Corcoran 1-2 England and Rest of World

Celts 0-1 FC Corcoran

England and Rest of World 0-2 Celts

On a warm Saturday afternoon in Madrid, FC Britanico welcomed their ex-pat counterparts from Paris, FC Corcoran, for a three-way tournament in the Vallecano sun. It was to be a tight affair, with all three teams coming through 2 hours of football with a victory and a defeat, however, FCB’s own Celts won through after a second half goal vs the English in the final match secured a goal difference victory.

There were some fine individual performances on all three teams, as well as some great physical endurance to last the full 120 minutes in the heat. FCB would like to congratulate the Celts for their win, but more importantly, thank everyone who organised the event and came along to get involved. Particular mention to our special guests FC Corcoran, to Phil Mugford for 3 hours of non-stop refereeing and to Stuart Gibb for his tireless efforts in making such a great day happen.

Match report from (an unsurprisingly Scottish) Mick Langan. For “Scotland” real “Celts”.

“A vintage Scotland team arrived in Vallecas, determined to retain a trophy they had won at a canter three months ago. Retaining the majority of their 2011 side, the Scots looked to hammer home their obvious superiority at the club. After a snoozefest between the English side and visiting team, FC Corcoran, ended 2-1 to England (Reece Carling with a notable free kick), the visiting support finally got their wishes as Scotland took to the field. Alas however, the game did not go to plan,. and they fell behind to a shick against the run of play goal. The Scots then laid siege to the Corcoran goal, with playmaker Michael Langan thundering the bar with a sizzling thirty yard free kick. After some underhand tactics from biased referee Phil, the Scots were downed and facing an embarrassing surrender of their not so hard fought title. However, they were well aware that a two goal margin against an appalling English side would still save face. Sadly, the Scots remained well under par and looked a shadow of the footballing side for which they are well renowned. After confusion and calamity reigned in the English box, Scotland found themselves a goal up and right back in the hunt. An appallingly inept defensive English performance was threatening to steal the trophy from the favourites. However, with minutes remaining, Mark popped up to emphatically place the trophy into the waiting Scottish arms. As the full time whistle was blown, it was a mixture of relief and disappointment from the Scots. While a trophy is always nice and spared some blushes, beating the England team is kind of like beating an armless man in an arm wrestling contest, and two goals really is the bare minimum. And this truly was as poor an English side in living memory (since November). That said, you can only beat what is in front of you. Onwards and upwards.

11/3/2012 – La Elipa

FCB Regional 2-6 ADPI Rivas B

It was a disappointing performance from FCB Regional on Sunday, reflected in their heavy defeat to ADPI Rivas. After promising signs in recent weeks, the britanicos were unable to maintain momentum against the mid-tabled visiting side.

10/3/2012 Vinoteras

Banco de España 4-2 FCB Bunwer

Match Report by Michael Langan

“FCB Bunwer made the short journey to Vinateros hoping to bring the curtain down convincingly on the first round of fixtures. While this game had the potential to be a real nerve jangler, FCB had already pipped Banco de España to the top 12. On account of this, rightly or wrongly, only one side really approached the game in the right fashion. FCB lined up Hutch, Ally, Mike, Kirky, Kiki Reece, Steve, Michael, Ishmael, Chaz and Nick Boyle. The game started at a slow pace, and looked every inch the dead ringer last weel’s results had rendered it. Having revamped their midfield and attack, FCB struggled to link the two components, and consequently left their forward men somewhat isolated. Coupled with a sluggishness in the centre of the park, FCB were somewhat fortuitous to grab an early lead after Reece finely turned in a poor wide free kick from Michael. While this lead settled FCB somewhat, they could not find any real rhythm, and any opportunities arose from set pieces and corners as opposed genuine creativity. Unfortunately, after 25 minutes, the sides were levelled after Banco de España equalised with a speculative effort. Although the game had now seen two goals, it bore witness to precious little quality, although FCB did restore their advantage after a thunderous twenty five yard free kick from Michael. Leading at half time, things turned a little nasty, and their was a sideline squabble to hasten the referee’s whistle.