The first semi-final saw my tournament favourite JAG with Kalmar FF take on Sideshow with Falkenbergs FF. Despite the lack of goals this game from what they told me was pretty much attack v defence with Side doing a lot more attacking. However despite JAG’s self-criticism he must’ve done pretty well to hold Side for a match and a half which must be some kind of tournament record for longest match played. It wasn’t till late on that a penalty was conceded and Sideshow’s persistence paid off when he despatched the penalty. Bit of a drab match came to an end with a fairly dramatic conclusion. However it matters not to Sideshow who once again makes an appearance in the final whilst JAG’s wait for a title goes on.

Now this was a semi-final for the familiar and not so familiar faces when Kent took on debutant Wenger in what many would expected to be a one-sided beating from you know who. Well I had the pleasure of watching this match and when Kent scored within the first 5 mins I expected it to go on to be 3 – 0, 4 – 0 to Kent, but no Wenger had other ideas. It wasn’t long till he got straight back in the game with a nice headed goal and he more than held his own against the Champ. Like all the best players though they find a way for every situation and Kent did eventually get his goal though I’m not sure if it was at the end of first half or start of second. Alas Wenger still created some chances and may just feel a tinge of regret that he couldn’t be the first newcomer to win the tournament. So Kent marched on to the final recording his 20th win a row! Wenger, I hope to see more of you in future tournaments!

If one thing this tournament confirmed is that the two players who are at the top of their games at the moment is Kent and Sideshow. Nobody is really coming close to these two and it’s fitting that this final had so much riding on it. Kent having the chance to become only the second player to win three titles in a row and five titles overall, whilst Sideshow who has a poor record against Kent could make a huge statement and a psychological blow by beating Kent in a very painful way.

It started cagey at first Side nervous or just weary from his last match seem hesitant and Kent was assertive without too much penetration. However Side grew into the match and we had a fairly even contest, with the first major mistake coming from Kent conceding a penalty just before the first half set. Like the last game Side didn’t pass up this gift to take the lead and played out the remainder of the first half with some very neat football, Kent had work to do. Second half again Side looked good with Kent breaking out the odd attack and was unlucky to hit the post not once, but twice with two different chances. This proved fatal as Side was doing what he had done all tournament defending solidly and shutting teams out… a new champion was born and Kent’s era of dominance was over at two titles in a row and 20 wins in a row. Not bad hey?

I could bang on and on about how great Kent is, but this would ruin Sideshow’s moment who won the tournament without even scoring a goal in open play once the knock-outs commenced. Well done on title number two sir, you have earned it!

So that ends 2014 and a pretty successful comeback for the tournaments in the PS4 era. Scotland is up next, what memorable moments are we going to chalk up there? (Me scoring more than two goals would be nice) hope to see you all on Sunday January 11th, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

UPDATED RANKINGS:

http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewArticle/173737

VIRUS

Well done to Sideshow, a worthy champion for us.

Can't believe Wenger thought I'd let a newbie win it for the first time

I want more detail about my superb 1-1 draw

Preparing my 5000 word thesis as we speak

comment by Harry Kent (U11208)
posted 2 hours, 26 minutes ago
Well done to Sideshow, a worthy champion for us.

Can't believe Wenger thought I'd let a newbie win it for the first time
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I did well considering i had my PS4 for 4 days with a 1 & a half star side Shall have to hope for a better side in the Scottish draw

Im only going to get better usually around division 2-3 so still working my way up so far

I'm getting a ps4 at Christmas so hopefully I'll be able to join in these tournaments again soon, bring back the glory days.

Even though we have hardly had any extended interaction... I miss you Junior

Good having a fellow oldy in the ranks

YES JUNIOR

Huge news

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

Might as well relinquish the title right now Sideshow

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

I said relinquish