Lenzi domestic situation adds extra intrigue to Gashton showdown Gashton veteran Matthew Lenzi won't have experienced anything like this before in his lengthy career. While the University of Birmingham intra league goes Gashton Shotgun crazy, the wiry Italian playmaker must surely be finding it hard to prepare for such a momentous clash in his club's history, and we must merely look literally close to home to discover why. The Gashton man lives with two Shotgun players, Ian Gibb, the brute of a centre back and George Hill, pantomime villain for the Gashton contingent. When asked about his living arrangements Lenzi appeared unequivocal in his approach, stating that if he scores he 'will not hold back at all'. This must be music to the fans of tabletoppers Villa, who have been enthused by the form of Lenzi since his return from duty in the African Cup of Nations, represening his father's home country of origin Malawi. Media and fans alike have been gathered outside the Lenzi residence all week in light of this fascinating subplot to an already huge game. Hill has been rumoured to be in confident mood, and told huddled journalists that he fully expects Shotgun to 'recover from our recent blip and get the 3 points easily on Thursday'. It is hard to ignore Hill's words, no doubt in part due to his boyish Jude Lawesque looks. So, while the rest of the squad prepare in the tranquility of their own homes, Lenzi just has to stay calm and if Gibb asks him to pass the salt at the dinner table, he will just have to grin and bear it and let his feet do the talking come match day. He can be buoyed by his hatrick exploits last week and the fact that Shotgun's recent form is shaky to say the least, with the would be title contenders gaining 1 point from a possible 6. The bookies appear to make Gashton early favourites, but there are fears over any mind games the Shotgun duo could potentially play on Lenzi and the negative influence that may have. Ahead of Thursday's game, the missing Gashton quarter of Nida, Maxwell, Dennis and Matthews are all expected to return, meaning heroic player manager Oakley may have to return to the dugout. There is a healthy competition for places in the squad at the moment, and with the 5-0 win last week, all the players are fully aware of the work they have to do to stay in the side. I fully expect the Gashton boys to rifle their way past an inferior Shotgun side. Toby Maxwell Odds for the big game can be found on our temporary page, The Real Cat and Wager: http://therealcatandcarrotsituation.yolasite.com/the-real-cat-and-wager.php
There's Plenzi more from where that came from... 5.11.2009 Gashton Villa - 5 (Woodcock 11, 34, Lenzi 17, 22, 30) Sub-Standard Liege - 0 Another splendid performance saw Gashton Villa sail to the top of the league today. A depleted Gashton side missing four of the nine registered squad members stood tall to thrash the fantastically named, Sub-Standard Liege. Gashton, who were without Nida, Matthews and Dennis for academic reasons and first choice keeper Maxwell who has been hit with either a case of Bird Flu or Gashtritis, were helped by the first appearance of manager Callum Oakley, who produced a heroic on-pitch performance at centre-back. The six man squad included Dawes in goal, Hooper and Oakley at the back with Woodcock, Parry and Lenzi occupying the midfield and attacking positions. With Gashton and rival’s Shotgun We Win playing a pitch apart and playing each other’s fixture from last week, today’s games were a real opportunity to compare the two teams (who after today occupy the first and second spots in the league table) before their mega-clash next week. With the casualties to the Gashton side and Sub-Standard’s win against Shotgun last week, many would have bet on a Liege victory and in the opening moments of the game those who may have backed Liege might well have been confident of their wager. However, the game soon began to look a repeat of last week’s fixture with Gashton working hard all over the pitch and keeping a well structured defence. Despite Liege’s early attacking intent they too, like EconSoc A, were frustrated by the lack of penetration of the Gashton side and after ten minutes of a relatively quiet opening, Woodcock attempted an audacious 20 yard effort. The ball skipped along the moist surface and inexplicably the Liege keeper made no attempt to save the shot, though he may well have not had a chance anyway as the ball clipped the inside of the post and found the net for the opening goal. After a similar pattern of play Gashton soon added a second. A smooth counter attacking move saw Parry neatly find Lenzi who expertly slotted home his first of the game from a tricky angle. Some heavy handed defending from Oakley, well supported by the team’s defensive discipline saw Gashton through to half time with stand-in keeper Dawes having hardly moved a muscle. Despite the two goal advantage a victory was certainly no guarantee for the Gashtonians. Liege had arguably had more of the play and with just six players, fitness towards the end of the second half was likely to have its effect on the boys’ performance. The second half started in similar vein and almost instantly Lenzi had added his second. A calm, side-footed finish from a considerable distance was enough to wrong foot Sub-Standard’s shaky looking keeper and find the inside netting. With a lot of time left in the game Gashton were sure not to let there foot of the pedal and continued to defend with the same energetic tenacity. At three nil, Dawes was called into his first piece of significant action. Liege, having finally crafted a clear cut opportunity, had their striker clean through but were denied by Dawes who expertly anticipated the situation and made fabulous block with his out stretched hands. During the later moments of the game Liege put Villa under constant pressure and forced a few more saves out of the Gahston keeper, but two Liege goal-keeping errors saw a couple of easy goals, first for Lenzi to complete his hat-trick having challenged the truly sub-standard goal-keeper out of his area and then Woodcock completed the scoring as he gratefully accepted a pass straight from Liege’s “keeper”. Today’s outstanding performance was yet more evidence that Gashton may well have what it takes to be a serious contender for this season’s title. They now sit two points clear of rivals Shotgun We Win, who they play next week in a game that promises to be a game packed full of atmosphere and emotion but with Gashton Villa’s current form they must surely go into the game quietly confident.
Baldy Mersh Jewish Star 29.10.2009 Gashton Villa – 2 (Dennis 20, 32) EconSoc - 0 Gashton went in to the game on the back of a frustrating 3-2 loss last week against School of Education the Villa boys turned up today looking a different side. The game kicked off late amid fixture confusion and straight away it was clear that Gashton were going to have to work hard to get anything out of the game as the ever-impressive “Dan” forced a splendid save from Maxwell whose right boot kept Gashton from falling behind early. EconSoc had much of the play early in the game, passing the ball neatly amongst themselves but failed to break down the organised Gashton defence. A direct Gashton counter attack almost saw Dennis score an early contender for goal of the season. The ball was rolled into the feet of the elegant frontman who, ignoring calls of “let it run across your body without taking a touch” from Parry, flicked the ball over the head of his marker with a couple of classy strokes before nipping the ball neatly into the corner on the half volley, only for the goal to be disallowed for being in the area as he made his final touch. Dennis‘ face was a sight both as he thought he had scored the goal of his life and equally as his own team-mates verified that the goal should not stand. Another couple of saves, including one demonstrating the Jewish shot-stopper’s surprisingly strong wrists, kept the scores level towards the end of the first period. With EconSoc desperately looking to open the scoring they over-committed and left themselves exposed in defence. A simple ball to Dennis from the defence allowed the striker to competently nip the ball home with the last touch of the first half. Disputes dominated the half time interval as the now regular university first team starter, Tim Parry, continued to confront Dennis about his choice of first touch, perhaps the first signs that the stardom of inter-university football might impact upon the attitude of Gashton’s star midfielder. The second half was a tense affair and started with EconSoc throwing everything forward but with Parry adopting an unusually defensive role alongside the ever-present James Nida behind a busy Hywel Matthews in midfield, Gashton made it very hard for the league leaders to create a chance of any real note. Gashton picked their moments to attack carefully and shots from Woodcock and Lenzi went close to doubling their lead. With fifteen minutes remaining and still just one goal separating the sides, EconSoc created their cleanest chance of the game but once more were thwarted by the agile feet of keeper Maxwell. As EconSoc desperately pushed for the equaliser they yet again left too few men behind the ball, and in the repeat of the first half, George Dennis finished off a neat counter attacking move.
The game provided evidence that Gashton certainly have what it takes to contest this years league title and with rivals Shotgun We Win losing in a tight clash, villa are only denied top spot by goal difference. EconSoc A remain top of the league but today’s result may be a more honest reflection of how their season might fair. With their goal difference much helped by a ten goal demolition of, now defunct, Computer Science and a 4-0 walkover, it looks as though their impressive form on paper might not reflect the true quality of the side. Gashton, however, are starting to look a cohesive unit and on the back of today’s result look set to be there or there abouts come the end of the season.
Berndt Stingrider News: 24/10/2009 Dennis To Grow Moustache Gashton goal-getter and fans favourite, George Dennis, today revealed that he is considering growing a moustache. Dennis, who signed for the club at the beginning of last campaign, is known for his effortless style on the pitch and has decided to transfer his casual attitude on the pitch to the grooming of his facial hair. The lethargic striker was indeed spotted last night attending a "moustache party" where it is beleived that he was almost turned away, as was the lack of hair above his upper lip. His upper-lip appendage, bulstered by lady's mascara, is currently a fair cry from the likes of the compulsory moustaches boasted by the Liverpool team of the late 70's and early 80's imposed by Paisley and Fagan. However, Fan's Favourite Dennis, has vowed to persist with his flavour-saving pusrsuit. For a comprehensive history of the football moustache visit the link below. http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/lists/6536/a_random_footba.html Flan Mostly | Gashton Villa F.C, founded in September 2007, are a 6 a side football team who have been at the forefront of the University of Birmingham Intra Mural League for 2 seasons. Their witty name stemmed from the mind, of former Gashton midfield player Max Prus, who left the club for Glasgow in acromonius circumstances midway through the 07/08 season. Prus and the club remain on good terms however, and he is still discussed with great fondness amongst the fans on a matchday. The affectionately abbreviated Gashton boast both the ability to play scintillating, passing football against all opposition, but also the fantastic bonds of friendship all the way through the team. The camaraderie within the squad is a key element to their success, which has seen the side achieve back to back qualifications to the Champions League, with the team finishing 3rd last season. So far, in the 09/10 season, Gashton's last in existence, in Birmingham at least, the boys have played 2 and won 2. This success must have seemed a long way off following Gashton 1st game in existence, when the lads' naivety and youth were exposed in a crushing and demoralising 11-1 defeat at the hands of league veterans Law School, a game which saw captain James Nida have a stint in goal. The team has changed since then, with Argentinian aberrition Ted Garcia quickly sold, along with top scorer in the 1st season, the talented yet aloof striker Dan Desler. Messrs Sam Woodcock, Tim Parry and Gareth Hooper were brought in to bolster the ranks in the debut season, followed by nomadic hitman George Dennis in the 08/09 season. These players, combined with the existing squad of Toby Maxwell, Nathan Dawes, Hywel Matthews, Matthew Lenzi and the aforementioned Nida. The team are casually managed by Callum Oakley whose management style encourages dynamic football. Critics often label Oakley a tactical innovator and it is hard to ignore such sentiments when watching him on the touchline. Gashton fanatic Phil Wright was given the chance to meet his heros in the Gashton Villa dinner dance at the end of the 08/09 season, in which he voted Sam Woodcock the winner of the inaugural fans player of the season. The other award winners are listed below: Clubman: James Nida Most Improved Player: Toby Maxwell Managers' Player of the Year: Matthew Lenzi Players' Player of the Year: Gareth Hooper The team play on the Bournbrook pitches, every Thursday at 12. Attendances have recently been slipping, sparking rumours of the club launching a Fans Day, in which every member of the squad will visit various parts of the local neighbourhood, in an extension to the popular 'Gashton in the Community' scheme which has previously Matthew Lenzi helping local school kids paint a mural in their playground. It is also expected that the prospect of Gashton being in the same league as arch rival Shotgun We Win will attract a whole new fanbase. Gashton Villa F.C. are a club on the up on and off the pitch and it is certain that the values and bonds witnessed amongst the squad will never leave the players and the people they have literally, and metaphorically touched. The website will keep you updated on all Gashton news, fixtures and reports, as well as an extensive player profile section.
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