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Hachioji Park, Sunday 1st March.
 Like a bygone hero of old, brave 3rd Division King George went into this TML Plate match looking to kill some monstrous 1st Division opposition. Although Sala weren't exactly monstrous on the night, they did have big enough gnashers to crush their opponents 4-0 and spit out the pieces that were left. Raaaaargh went the Chiba Rex on Sala's club badge.
A goal from Clarkey in the first half was the most decisive moment of the match, breaking King George's resistance and forcing them to attack as well as defend. As King George began to push forward, 3 second half goals from Ryotaro, Pete and Koji finished the job ending King George's dreams of Plate success.
With Yusuke taking the reigns as Captain for this match there was a new look to Sala's attack with Scotty partnering Toby up front. These two struck up a good understanding early on, coming close on several occassions, but failing to find the killer touch that was needed to open the scoring. Brookey, Guido, Pete and Shige also had attempts that were denied either by the bar or the King George keeper.
With King George's keeper pulling off some great saves and their defenders using every body part to defend their goal (including their crown jewels - ouch) this Plate match had the look of a classic David vs Goliath battle. With half time looming it looked like King George would hold out for that all important whistle.
However, Sala's pressure finally told when Shige and Koji combined to work the ball into Scotty. His first time shot would have gone wide if it hadn't hit off a King George defender and fallen to Clarkey, who despatched it cooly into the net. Calmly done with a kawaii boshii to boot.
1-0 Sala halftime.
 That goal before halftime proved crucial in the second half as King George began to chase the game. Wave upon wave of Sala attacks ensued as gaps appeared at the back, and it wasn't long before a wonderful solo goal from Ryotaro killed the tie. Collecting the ball with a tremendous 360* pirouette he totally skinned his marker, then danced past another defender before beating the keeper and slotting the ball into an empty net. Great stuff.
2-0 Sala
The mercurial boy wonder, Ryotaro, was at it again minutes later when he diddled two more defenders, glided into the box and chipped a lovely ball to the back post which Pistol Pete Swinnerington despatched like a yard of ale at his birthday party!!! Sorry, that feat took him 20 minutes and 4 sittings. His volley for the 3rd took a split second and he only needed one bite at the cherry. Peachy with a nice dink as it rattled in off the opposite post.
3-0 Sala
 As for the fourth, it was the best goal ever ever ever scored in the whole wide footballing universe beating even David Narey's audacious "toe poke" against Brazil in Espana '82. So good in fact that this roving reporter can't even remember it. Sorry, Koji, but I just can't......but here's that "toe-poke" so that you know what it was better than.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH86CmJqV9c
Sala 4 King George 0 Dave Narey 1
Man of the Match - Ryotaro
Toe of the Match - Big Dave's
Best Players Not Mentioned in This Report - Take, Dan, Lenny, Katsu and Ian.
By Scotty Forgetalotti
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