About MicroCoach
Finals Day - July 2023
After some good food prepared by Lesley and a few drinks, the MicroCoach finals swung into action.
The finals were played live for the first time via the MicroCoach engine, at least with an audience and streamed through a TV screen.
The first final was between two unmanaged clubs: The EuroCup, where no MicroCoach club made it past the quarter finals. The match ended 2-2, with a late goal by Bernabeu Braves denying Parisien Walkways a win in 90 minutes. A slight coding hiccup ensued as both teams walked off the pitch without playing extra-time. The match had to be replayed and this time Bernabeu Braves won comfortably 3-1.
The second match was the League 2 play-off final, with Robin Slade and his Winchester side who had come 3rd taking on James House and his Harrogate Orient team, who had finished 4th. One goal was to settle an attritional match and it came from the Orient and their top scorer, Ivan Rakitic. He has found a new lease of life in a more attacking role for Orient, since leaving Real Jameosean. The win and a place in League 1 was sealed in the 81st minute.
The League 1 play-off was not quite as close a match. Don Davern and his hot favourites, AC Desantelakos had come close to automatic promotion and they were too strong for Ken Atkinson and his Nesportivo side. Maxi Gomez 3 mins and Diego Jota on 10 mins gave ACD a flying start and it was all over when Maxi Gomez made it 3-0 on 68 mins from the spot. Richarlison scored a consolation for Nesportivo with 9 minutes remaining, but it is ACD who will feature in the top flight in the new season.
The FA Plate final brought the first real shock of the day. James House and his Harrogate Orient side had knocked out Real Jameosean on the way to the final. Despite this the League 2 side were huge underdogs, playing Lesley Atkinson and her Premier League Inter Normania. Inter have struggled in front of goal this season and so it proved again, despite pressuring the Orient rearguard. It was a goal from Luis Alberto on 43 minutes that won the day for Harrogate, their second 1-0 win on this finals day.
Don Davern and his Gainsborough Hamlet side started the season poorly but recovered well to finish in 5th place just 6 points behind Hurricane Harriers managed by Ken Atkinson. After 2nd place last season, 4th was not seen as successful for the Harriers supporters. They trailed in this, the FA Cup Final - following a goal by Dybala on 29 minutes. Koke often pops up with a vital goal and he fizzed in an equaliser on 69 minutes. Hamlet finished the stronger though and ran out 3-1 winners with goals by Gnabry 71 and Milenkovic 84.
Despite a few absentees, it was fully expected that James House and his Bandal Borough side would be too strong for surprise finalists in the UEFA Cup, Lattzeo. The Italian side have over performed to reach the final but are obdurate opponents and so it proved again. Borough could not respond to a Milenkovic-Savics goal on 73 minutes as they lost so disappointingly 1-0.
The most entertaining final of the day was probably the Paper Orchid final. Ken Atkinson rallied his weary Hurricane troops for one more battle, facing perennial trophy hunters, Real Jameosean led by yours truly. Lionel Messi who shines brighter than any star in the league and was again top scorer in all divisions, but he has often struggled on Finals Day. Not this year though. He put Real ahead on 14 minutes and added a 2nd from the spot just 10 minutes later. Just 30 minutes into the game and it was Messi again, his third giving Real a 3-0 lead. Harry Kane, who finished 2nd top scorer gave Harriers hope on 34 minutes, also with a penalty.
The hopes of a 2nd half comeback were ended by Mbappe, who made it 4-1 on 76 minutes. Harrier kept going and a 2nd spot kick by Kane on 81 minutes brough them back to 4-2. That was that though, a six goal thriller.
Don Davern was in his 3rd final of the day and ACD, their 2nd in the last final of the day, the League Cup. ACD faced Bernie Iles and his H and H side. It was no real contest though as ACD won easily 3-0. Muniain 15, Maxi Gomez 68 penalty and Mancini 89 minutes, with the goals.