LEICESTER POLSKA had their usual toe to toe battle with FC Tumar, but the result could have been very very different but for the heroics of the Tumar keeper, especially in the first half. He produced an astonishing save from Luca Tabaka early in the first half, and shortly after Savo Wieczorek drilled a powerful shot low towards the goal which he also stopped. Polska peppered the goal with shots and made plenty of chances, but just could not find a way through. Tumar had only one shot wide of target to show for their first half work. In the second half, Tumar stepped up a gear, and Polska needed to be vigilant as well as disciplined to keep plugging away for the elusive goal. After the thrills of the first half, it was almost inevitable that Mark Chater finally broke the deadlock on 56 minutes as a scrambled ball from a corner finally nestled itself into the net. Tumar then produced their characteristic set piece bombardment, (remember the 2-2 here last year when Polska were 2-0 up on 80 minutes?). Paul Hancock equalised on 71 minutes, although in fairness if you are going to stand near the back post unmarked from a set piece then you really should score. After adopting an unusual 3-5-2 formation throughout the game, Polska resisted the temptation to go 4-4-2 with the scores at 1-1, instead throwing on Radek Gagliewski for a 3 man attack. 5 minutes later the move pulled off, Matt Zydkiewiecz setting up Alan Chater who took his goal well on 81 minutes to put Polska back in front. With Luca Tabaka spending the last 9 minutes at centre half (and producing a vital headed clearance from a dangerous Tumar set piece), Polska were determined to hold on for the win, and did so with a scoreline that should have reflected the difference between the teams for large parts of the game but did not. PLAYER RATINGS: ANDRZEJ: Spent the first half doing the Sunday Times crossword (unfortunately in English), more to do in the second half including an unsavoury incident. Largely untroubled and did well. WYSOCZANSKI: Was focused from the start, and had a good game, replaced on 76 minutes. M CHATER: Did well in the sweeper role, came up with the vital first goal. WIESNIEWSKI: Made some good foraging runs down the right, especially first half, great game and man of the match. DZIOPA: Played some good stuff, but needed to grab the game more by the scruff of the neck. OSIPINSKI: Played very well and covered a lot of the pitch, battled hard throughout. A CHATER: Had a good game down the left in the first half, took the winning goal very well. TABAKA: Unlucky to see a rasping effort expertly saved in the first half, had an easier chance later on but marked tightly. ZYDKIEWIECZ: Produced some great passes, has been quietly going about his business since his spell in the UK, his intelligence will be missed now he is returning to his homeland. PAJAK: Physically looked a bit off the pace, replaced just after Polska went 1-0 up. WIECZOREK: Unlucky to see his powerful low shot saved first half, replaced on 84 minutes. SUBS: GAGLIEWSKI: Looked sharp and hungry when he came on, good game, will look to carry this form on after a long spell out of the team. WASIK: Great last minute tackle on Andy Lewis shortly after he came on, solid. JEDRASZCZYK: Not on long enough to make an impact. |