Football Poets

Sporting Lisbon v Boro (17-03-2005)

¶ 1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 Boro already have two important goals in the larder,
Against three for Sporting Lisbon in the Stadium Alvalade,
So we’re hoping now for Bolo to pull a few more strings,
Cos nothing is ever over until the Fat Lady sings.

¶ 2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 We must be prepared from the very first minute,
To be in with a chance then to go on and win it,
A clean sheet is essential and we need the first goal,
And, at all costs, stop Sporting from taking control.

¶ 3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 Things right at the back must be kept watertight,
For another goal against would be surely ‘goodnight,’
Tonight’s tough task is one that is really uphill,
Although Sporting lost their last two with goals totalling nil.

¶ 4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 Doriva won the ball with a most brilliant intervention,
And immediately brought in Downing who had three in attention,
Then, with three red shirts waiting, he put in a great cross,
And, although Joseph failed, the move did please the boss.

¶ 5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 Liedson might have seen yellow when he clearly took a dive,
Though a free kick went to Boro, the ‘culprit’ managed to survive,
Despite being really fortunate he still went on to bleat,
When a man of such talent has no real need to cheat.

¶ 6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 Doriva then went ‘missing’ and let in Pedro Barbosa,
Who took a quick shot when he could have gone closer,
He was given great space: Boro almost came a cropper,
Until once more to Boro’s rescue came our big Aussie stopper.

¶ 7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 Schwarzer thumped a long ball that had the hosts taken aback,
When Joseph Job and Nemeth launched a promising attack,
Joseph got a shot in that Ricardo somehow blocked,
Nemeth couldn’t press the button but Sporting Lisbon looked quite shocked.

¶ 8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 Inexplicably their ‘keeper had come dashing from his goal,
And his block then bounced to Nemeth, who then instantly took control,
His shot was heading goalwards and we were feeling on Cloud Nine,
But this great move sadly crumbled when it was cleared from off the line.

¶ 9 Leave a comment on verse 9 0 A forceful run by Downing, who, with such great pace is blessed,
Then came a ball to Parnaby, another who has impressed,
And as the faithful Boro following show their undying adulation,
The home fans are unhappy and display their huge frustration.

¶ 10 Leave a comment on verse 10 0 Downing’s looking at his best: that cannot be denied,
And, when he’s running at them, Sporting’s lads are petrified,
So much so, their manager is showing signs of agitation,
As he makes a substitution and swift reorganisation.

¶ 11 Leave a comment on verse 11 0 Unlike in the first leg when they looked assured and composed,
Sporting have looked vulnerable and frequently exposed,
Now, in an attempt to hamper Boro’s dangerous attacks,
The hosts will seek containment and play with three centre backs.

¶ 12 Leave a comment on verse 12 0 The effect of the change was instant and the hosts were now transformed
And Boro were most fortunate as around our goal they swarmed,
Liedson had a fresh-air shot and an open goal was missed,
No doubt earning from his colleagues, a wee slap on the wrist.

¶ 13 Leave a comment on verse 13 0 Downing drove towards the line with half-time drawing near,
Then a great attempt by Parnaby brought from fans a mighty cheer,
There have certainly been occasions when the hosts seemed to be rattling,
So the Boro fans keep hoping and the Boro lads keep battling.

¶ 14 Leave a comment on verse 14 0 So far there’s not a weakness throughout the Boro team,
They’ve given such a great account to fulfil a long-held dream,
I can’t wait for the second half, to find out what’s in store,
For we’ve certainly had chances and all is still to battle for.

¶ 15 Leave a comment on verse 15 0 ———-

¶ 16 Leave a comment on verse 16 0 How this game is still goal-less remains a mystery,
But will we now be witnesses to the making of history?
Two goals more than Sporting is ‘all’ that we require,
Without them, though, we’ll see our European interest expire.

¶ 17 Leave a comment on verse 17 0 Ricardo dashed out from his goal so Joseph Job was thwarted,
It might have been much different had he been better supported,
But this is not the time for any feelings of remorse,
As the travelling Boro fans continue shouting themselves hoarse.

¶ 18 Leave a comment on verse 18 0 Nemeth’s face was pained as his last energy he dredged,
To present upon a plate an opportunity gilt-edged,
It all began with ‘comedy’ from their goalkeeper, Ricardo,
Which resembled more the antics of someone in Mikado.

¶ 19 Leave a comment on verse 19 0 He cleared a dodgy back-pass straight into the path of Szil,
Who passed it on to Joseph, waiting there to make the kill,
Unfortunately, the pass carried rather too much weight,
And, with Job at full stretch, his attempt wasn’t all that great.

¶ 20 Leave a comment on verse 20 0 Their ‘keeper’s gone on walkabout and his goal is unattended,
So, how Joseph managed to miss, is not easily comprehended,
As Ricardo simply stood there with his feet totally rooted,
Job then fell upon his knees for he should have just side-footed.

¶ 21 Leave a comment on verse 21 0 But there still is time a’ plenty to put these matters right,
To clear the heads, take a deep breath and continue with the fight,
But, if Boro have the real desire, of taking home the bacon,
Then it’s imperative that of these chances, at least two must be taken.

¶ 22 Leave a comment on verse 22 0 Douala speeds along the left; his pace is really frightening,
His cross is great: then comes a block: the pressure’s once more heightening,
Pedro Barbosa won the ball and his effort was a scorcher,
But, once again, to Boro’s aid, came the ever-reliant Schwarzer.

¶ 23 Leave a comment on verse 23 0 Graham replaces McMahon, who looks like he’s been crocked,
And, several times, the Boro upon Sporting’s door have knocked,
The Sporting fans are silent; they had thought that we’d be routed,
And, by the travelling 3000 they’re being easily out-shouted.

¶ 24 Leave a comment on verse 24 0 They have a player over as they attack us on the right,
Rogerio feeds Douala, who is once more in full flight,
But he was just a bit too greedy and Parnaby almost burst a lung,
To retrieve the situation and ensure our trap remained unsprung.

¶ 25 Leave a comment on verse 25 0 As the Boro now must gamble they’re inevitably leaving gaps,
But the admiring Boro faithful, all still constantly raise their hats,
Downing brought in Danny and he took it in his stride,
Then, with a difficult half volley, he lashed it wildly wide.

¶ 26 Leave a comment on verse 26 0 With just three minutes left we near the end of our pursuit,
A free kick’s won by Sporting and Viana waits to shoot,
From all of thirty yards and the ball curling all the way,
Schwarzer’s save was world-class and yet again he saved the day.

¶ 27 Leave a comment on verse 27 0 Then, right on ninety minutes, every Boro heart is breaking,
As Douala ‘flew’ along the left, his speed-of-foot breathtaking,
He gave it to Barbosa, who then struck the ball so well,
That no ‘keeper in the world would have had a hope in hell.

¶ 28 Leave a comment on verse 28 0 That late defeat for Boro we most certainly don’t deserve,
Played throughout with massive pride, with passion and with verve,
So, the players and supporters were now experiencing great sadness,
And one thinks now of the Riverside and the quarter-hour of madness.

¶ 29 Leave a comment on verse 29 0 So, for now, that’s it finished: the Fat Lady has just sung,
It’s the end of our travels to great places, some far-flung,
The lads have done us proud as they’ve battled and they’ve sweated,
But we definitely want more, now that our appetite’s been whetted.

¶ 30 Leave a comment on verse 30 0 Now it has just been announced on the radio at noon,
That Sporting’s next opponents will be our local rivals, ‘Toon,’
How that tie will pan out is just anybody’s guess,
But, being as we’ve lost interest, I do wish the ‘Toon’ success.

¶ 31 Leave a comment on verse 31 0 I hope that isn’t seen as treason and it’s certainly not perjury,
And now I’m going off for a ‘taste’ of major surgery,
So, if you wonder why I’m missing, well now you know the reason,
I’ll need lengthy convalescence: all being well: see you next season.

¶ 32 Leave a comment on verse 32 0 www.theborobard.co.uk