The worst possible confluence of events befell the Over 30 Team last Sunday: a squad pared down to nine players, weakened by viruses and holiday travel, playing against a team of youngsters hell-bent on counterattacking, and playing that match on one of the Odeum’s big fields. It all added up to a difficult 9:2 pasting at the hands of Shlama FC, leaving the oldboys at the foot of the Red Section.

The Byki wanted to focus on ball possession and management of the pace of the match, but it took all of their effort just to catch their breaths chasing after teenagers running rampant on the break. The Byki improved their focus in the second half and were able to play on even terms with Shlama, but by then it was too late.

Shlama grabbed the lead at the 2:01 mark. The Byki tried to contain the speedy Shlama forwards and needed miracle saves from Dean Fukar just to keep their heads above water. The floodgates opened in the middle of the first half, however, and Shlama exploded for five goals in a span of 9:18 to take a commanding 6:0 lead into the break.

Coach George Gorecki knew that this was too deep a hole from which the Byki could emerge. “At halftime, we talked about getting back to our original gameplan,” he said. “Once the goals started pouring in, we got caught in the avalanche. Everybody played a lot better in the second half. It’s great to see the effort still there when the game is out of hand and the conditions are oppressive.”

The Byki created a nice scoring chance with 2:56 elapsed in the second half when Andy Lane fed Maciej Kekus, springing him into open space. His shot barely missed the crossbar, but the ricochet ignited another Shlama counter, which they handily converted for a 7:0 lead. When it rains, it pours.

The Byki got on the board 3:09 later. Radek Skruch dribbled up the middle and found Lane supporting on the left. Lane’s hard shot was blocked by the keeper, and the keeper also blocked Lane’s rebound attempt. The second save resulted in a loose ball in the box, where Skruch slotted home.

With 9:46 left, Kekus looked certain to score when he pounced on a free ball after the keeper had saved a shot from Skruch. Kekus pounded a shot three yards from goal that was blocked on the line by a Shlama defender who helplessly suffered a debilitating crotch shot.

Ray Najera fired a shot off the boards with 5:16 to go and followed up the carom with a shot that hit the post.

The Byki fought to the final whistle. Skruch set up the second goal when he dropped a pass for Jay Brough, who picked his spot for his first goal of the season.

BYKI LINEUP
(2-2-1): Fukar – Pedlow, D Safford – Lane, Skruch – Kekus. Bench: Brough, Frischmann, Najera.

BYKI SCORING SUMMARY
1:7 – D Safford 1; 25:18.
2:9 – Brough 1 (Skruch); 37:51.

BYKI MAN OF THE MATCH
Brett Frischmann