In a closely-fought encounter, it was the SBC side who snatched victory as the World XI squandered a number of opportunities to take something from the game.
Kick-off was delayed due to travel problems for the two teams, however come 4:30pm, the teams had arrived at Berechurch Road and were ready to get underway. A late change was forced upon the SBC as midfielder William Deasy did not travel with the squad so Jordan Allston filled in on the flank. New signing for the World XI Jordan Lipede started on the bench and on loan Chelsea midfielder Callum McLaughlin made his debut in the middle of the park. The World XI would kick-off the first ever meeting between the two sides as the crowd gathered in anticipation for the start.
The World XI had the better of the opening 10 minutes or so, having more of the ball and looking to run at the SBC back line. However, goalkeeper Luke Mulvey was assured and was a calm figure in the SBC goal. Midfielders Joshua Hilario and McLaughlin were seeing a lot of early possession and looking to feed wingers Josh Burrows and Glenn Hastings at all times. Yet, SBC looked threatening on the counter attack with their front three of Ed Drake, Alex Etim and James Partner. A quarter of the way through the first half would prove a telling point in the game. As SBC had a free kick, the World XI back line pushed up field and were caught out. David Burrows couldn't dispossess Partner who broke through the lines and found a gap in between centre back and fullback. Etim had scampered in from the left wing and was in the clear. He reached the edge of the penalty area and beat Justin Herbert with a right footed drive. Etim's first goal of the season as the SBC took the lead. The World XI responded with a golden chance from a set piece. Jordan Lipede was on the field and swung a corner over. His perfect delivery however could not be reciprocated by Emmanuel Dare. Up from the back, he managed to lift his header over from about 4 yards out. The World XI then took the game to the SBC with Lipede and Hilario heavily involved. Hilario's driving runs from midfield were causing significant problems however shooting space was not clear enough for the Filipino. Lipede was getting joy on the inside left channel against Giuseppe Murgia and Matthew O'Reily. Sent clear by Joe Reader, Lipede cut inside and unleashed a stinging shot which fortunately for the SBC, struck the foot of the post. The rebound wouldn't fall for the World XI who seemed to be coming closer and closer. Before half-time, Ed Drake found the back of the net only to be adjudged as offside, not for the first time in the game I might add. At half-time it was 1-0 SBC and World XI had carry on the momentum they'd built up at the end of the half.
Striker Szymon Wlodarczyk, signed on a free from Legia Warsaw was struggling to get into the game. SBC were defending admirably so far and had the lead. The second half began with the SBC on top, Partner pulling the strings and looking for the through ball at all times. He found his marker when Drake thought he broke the offside trap, the linesman thought otherwise and Drake did let him know of his opinion to the decision. Chances came and went as Etim put a chance over and then after great work, Partner did the same minutes later. It was the World XI who applied all the pressure late on as Lipede still couldn't find the net. Wlodarczyk had arguably the best chance for the World XI. The ball broke to his feet nicely after a scuffed O'Reily clearance, however, he lifted his shot high and wide to the bemusement of his team-mates. Mulvey was then called into action right at the end as McLaughlin tried his luck from distance and nearly did the outrageous as the keeper had to fling himself across to his left to tip it over. The game then ended with both sides spent, they'd given it their all and contributed to an entertaining game of football. It was SBC who finished victorious and held bragging rights until the next encounter.
After the game I caught up with SBC striker Ed Drake. When asked about his team's performance, he said, "We were good, however I thought the World XI maybe were unlucky as they created more chances." "But they lacked the extra quality to put them away, whereas we took ours, that was the difference." Then when questioned about his own fitness and performance, "I didn't contribute much as I've been lacking matching fitness. However, on Friday I'm keen to make up for my display." After the result the feeling in the SBC camp was "at a higher level and cooled the nerves" said Drake. "We're all just looking forward to hopefully earning a second victory." I then managed to get a word with World XI vice captain Callum McLaughlin. "Coming into this we were underdogs, so we had something to prove. Every player played for the team and the cause and the performance was outstanding, if not for some unlucky decisions and incidents, it could of been our day." Asked of his own display, "I feel I was good but lacked the cutting edge to contribute towards the score line. I feel my influence helped the others less experienced and brought performances out of them that contributed towards a good display, it was a great debut to have." Ahead of the next clash McLaughlin said, "We don't have the surprise element anymore so this may not be an advantage. We need to keep level headed and go in as underdogs again, if we play with integrity we can put in another good performance and we'll see what happens."
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