December 19, 2001
Memphis Shock at Cambodian Football Club

We started the game off with 10 players, with number 11 coming 10 minutes in. Both teams at this time were subjected to their 11 players only, no subs. We struck first, and extremely fast. On the kickoff, Bishop and J.J. took the ball down the middle of the field. The ball did get away from them momentarily, but was stolen back by Bishop who sent a through ball to J.J. who beat the keeper for a goal 20 seconds in. Memphis Shock up 1-0. Coincidentally, Manchester United stole a play from our playbook in their own game Saturday against Southampton. They scored 30 seconds into the game, so technically, we have them 1 up there. No more than 5 minutes later, we got another goal. **Disclaimer: I never got all the info as to how most of the goals were scored, but I do have the stats.** Memphis Shock leading 2-0.

CFC didn’t seem to learn their lesson. The defenders were trying to play a trap on our speedy forwards. We were playing 2 forwards and CFC were pulling back 4 defenders. It just didn’t work in their favor. Just a few minutes from the 2nd goal we netted another one. Then minutes after that, one more goal. Memphis Shock leading 4-0 twenty minutes into the game.

The score 4-0 is kind of a bad score for us. When we got our 4th goal, visions of our game against VFC were running through my head. If we get the 5th goal before the opposition gets their first, we are ok. With about 15 minutes left in the first half, CFC got their first goal. Shock 4 CFC 1. A few minutes after that CFC netted another goal from a shot that was deflected ever so lightly off of one of our players that threw Baxter off guard. Shock 4, CFC 2. CFC would’ve gotten another goal, but due to a great save from Baxter, which he tipped, it hit the post, and then bounced back and then hit Baxter’s back foot in which he perfectly placed and then went out of bounds. Minutes later, it was halftime.

During halftime, we were all trying to stay warm, but with the near freezing conditions it was pretty hard to do that. We decided to go back to the 2 forward set that we were using earlier and drop back to a 4-4-2. So, with no portable heater, we jogged back on the field.

CFC were hot on our heels at the start of the second half. CFC won a free kick that was kicked straight to Baxter. Before the game started he complained about his gloves having no stick to them. On the kick, the ball bounced out of Baxter’s hands and a CFC forward was there to jump all over the deflecting. Shock 4, CFC 3. (Baxter’s birthday wish: new gloves). About 10 minutes after that a CFC player was being marked and decided to take a shot from 30 yards out. With the wind behind him and a brush of luck, he it the top left 90. Give that guy 10 other chances like that, he hits that same shot same place maybe once. Game tied at 4. On this play Baxter came down hard on his bad shoulder and had to be replaced by goalie super sub Chris. Chris came in and had a couple of goalie kicks, that’s it.

We had had it, up 4-0 and now tied at 4. Yep, VFC time again. So with our team seemingly reeling, we called upon our forwards again to give us some hope. A few minutes after the equalizer, Bishop scored another goal. A ball was played to him from the back and he beat the keeper 1-v-1. Shock up 5-4. 10 minutes later we won a free kick on the left side of the field. Rob took the kick, Winters flicked a header to Bishop, and he buried the shot. Shock leading 6-4. Still, just minutes after that, J.J. netted another goal to make the score 7-4.

We started goofing around after the 7th goal. Considering what happened not 20 minutes ago, there was still time left on the clock, and we were only 3 goals up. Bishop took a pass up the right side of the field and took a beautiful shot that from long range that hit the crossbar. J.J. was following up the shot and was running it down when he was tripped up from behind in the box. It was a stupid foul in the box, one that we had committed before. So the kicker and someone else created a plan for the shot. Ends up the ball went backwards instead of forward. That didn’t matter cause the shot was over the goal. I was later told that that was a legal play. The ref didn’t think so. Good news is it didn’t really hurt us.

Close to the end of this game I witnessed a first. When a team is losing, some players who think they are the best on the team will get on to each other due to frustration. There were these 2 guys that, on the same team, were telling each other that the other loses the ball more than the other. Then they would pass it to each other, that player would lose the ball, and then you hear “You lose the ball more.” Calm down children!! One player who had been frustrating himself was finally given a red card for taking David down from behind with no intention of playing the ball. As he was walking off he language would make a sailor embarrassed.

Finally after more shots on goal by us, and many players limping around, the ref blew the whistle to end the game. Memphis Shock with the win by the score of 7-4.

Game stats. Goals by J.J. (4) and Bishop (3). Assists by Matt (4), Bishop, Mark, and Rob 1 each. This is only the 4th and 5th time we have had a player score a hat trick, much less 2 in one game. The way we were keeping pressure on their goal was sending the ball for the forwards, and making them run for it. The chances of J.J. and Bishop being sore the next couple of days was 100% as much as they were running around. We scored 7 goals, but it should have been a number like the ones we put up on the Zebras. The goalie had a few shots that were shot right at him that he caught, others that he just barely kicked out of bounds, and even more that were just inches wide. Our midfield was doing a great job until they starting dropping with cramps. Defense did a good job keeping the 7 or so CFC players on each attack at bay. The only true goal was their first.

This was a good ending to a magnificent second half of the season for us. We ended the season 3-1-1 and looking to do even better next season. Guys, great season, and we will see you next year.

Dennis Thompson