A game packed with talking points last Tuesday produced a closely contested 7-5 score line in favour of Bunch of Messi’s. Supervalu can hold their heads high following this display however as they never made the game comfortable for Bunch of Messi’s throughout the game.

Bunch of Messi’s seemed to approach this game expecting to win comfortably and a wakeup call had duly arrived 20 minutes in as Supervalu raced into a 3-1 lead thanks to 2 strikes from Anto Notaro and a well taken goal from Snowy, Bunch of Messi’s talented centre forward Colly had responded for his side prior to Notaro’s second strike of the night. Colly who amazingly has not been approached by any league of Ireland clubs to date displayed touches of sheer class during the entire game and is without question a great player to watch, for a big man Colly has outstanding technique  and control of a ball. The fact the no one on the Bunch of Messi’s team was having an off day just shows the improvement of David Holmes Supervalu side in the past few weeks, Bunch of Messi’s Anto Boshell and Dane were both impressing in midfield, Boshell looking good in possession while Dane who was covering every inch of the astro surface with his workhorse like approach. Shane McFaul also deserves a mention for his display on the night, the Sporting Fingal league of Ireland midfielder is simply a class act, his passing and control of a ball is very impressive and in my opinion it’s a joke he is only playing first division league of Ireland football, McFaul is a gifted player and could easily play at a much higher standard.

Bunch of Messi’s Dane was next to score on the night following a good passing move involving Shamrock Rovers star Sean O’ Connor, Anto Boshell and the majestic Shane McFaul. Dane peeled away at the back post before finishing well past Rossi in the Supervalu goal who up to then had made no less than 5 top class saves to deny Colly on 2 occasions, Sean O’ Connor twice and saving brilliantly from point blank range as Dane again had burst through on goal. Rossi wasn’t the only one impressing for his side however, a battling display from all the Supervalu players were forcing Bunch of Messi’s to up their game, Lee Smith was a real treat going forward all night for Supervalu alongside the clinical Anto Notaro while the no nonsense Gavin Clifford was like a rock at the back.

Supervalu were unlucky not to add to their lead in the second half as Glen Somers brilliantly denied Anto Notaro and then Lee Smith with a superb double save 5 minutes in, meanwhile at the other end a burst forward and shot by Sean O’ Connor appeared to be handled outside the box only for his appeals to be turned away. Eventually Bunch of Messi’s did assume control of the game 11 minutes in as Shane McFaul blasted home an equalizer for his side, Dane then added his second of the night 2 minutes later as he skipped past two challenges before firing home. At 4-3 Supervalu refused to let their head drop and Anto Notaro struck the bar before John Dunne was denied with a superb one on one stop by Glen Somers. Somers rival at the other end Rossi was also having a fine game and he pulled of a stop from Colly from point blank range which can only be described as magic. Shane McFaul scored his second of the night eventually beating Rossi on 46 minutes before Anto Boshell struck a wonder strike from all of 13 yards following superb chest control to make it 6-3. With time ticking by the energetic Dane completed his hat trick when he lashed home following a low cross from Colly on the right hand side.

Supervalu wouldn’t lie down however and they again responded via a superbly taken John Dunne goal. With time almost up a lunge by Anto Boshell into a challenge with Gavin Clifford sparked an aggressive reaction from the fuming Clifford; Clifford raced over to Anto and appeared set to send Boshell to James hospital for the night courtesy of a right hook only for a scurry of players to intervene in the nick of time. Before the end the impressive Supervalu scored again via Snowy’s second goal of the night and he could have even had a hat trick 2 minutes later only to be denied by the full time whistle just as he blasted home.

Key Points: Supervalu are no longer tournament whipping boys and they know 2 wins from their final 3 games could still see them progress to the semi final stage of the Parmo7aside. Bunch of Messi’s are great to watch but will need to improve in front of goal if they are to win the tournament as chanses will be at a premium come the knock out stage of the competition.  

The Pimps will take some stopping on this showing, little talking points in this game as the result was never truly in doubt. Keepitonthedeck didn’t play to badly on the night despite this trouncing at the hands of the energetic Pimps team but yet again didn’t look a treat in front of goal despite all their possession, centre forward Connor Byrne was particularly wasteful for his side as he spurned a number of guilt egged chances.

The Pimps who again had an 8 man squad for this fixture found themselves 4 goals up before half time following goals 2 goals from the talented Gary Curran and strikes from Neil Byrne and team leader Brendan Mac. In truth this wasn’t the greatest game to watch and both sides seemed to be lacking in front of goal.

The second half was again a muted affair with the only real talking point coming when Darren Martin and Sean Byrne struck the 5^th and 6^th goals of the night for the impressive Pimps. Before the end a fight involving Jamie Garamanli and Darren Martin broke out as Keepitonthedeck’s frustrations became all to apparent.

Key Points: Not a great game, The Pimps dominated from the off and in truth cruised to victory, their game vs Bunch of Messi’s next Tuesday night will be a very good match as the Pimps look to go within a point of league leaders Return of the Mack. Keepitonthedeck have it all to do and they know anything less than 3 wins from their final 3 games will mean elimination from the Parmo7aside.