Match Report: Jose Mourhino, Luis Figo, Vasco Da Gama your guys took one hell of a beating, but still managed to run out 3-1 victors!?

St Johns have lapsed back into slow starter mode, and for the first 15 minutes were spectators as Sport London E Benfica, passed the ball in little triangles and carved through the leaden footed St Johns midfield and defence to race 2-0 up.

It took a viciously high and late tackle on Tommy ‘pretty boy’ Richardson to spark a sense of urgency in the game which was in danger of becoming a pasting. Johnny ‘Terrier’ Werbinski exacted retribution on the offending culprit, and St Johns clicked into life.

A sharp move down the left started by Tommy ‘ouch my knee hurts’ Richardson, found the ever willing Nick ‘I’m not passing today’ Tilbury who took his time to get the ball under control and cunningly bobbled the ball past the keeper on his near post!

Not to be outdone, Paul ‘no longer homeless‘ Huggins, continued to deliver a number of quality crosses from the right wing, one which almost had Brendan Hegarty rippling the net with a lovely half volley from the edge of the area.

Finishing the half strongly, St Johns had a few more opportunities but in what became somewhat of a theme for the second half the goalkeeper wasn’t require to make a save.

At the half, Tinkerman, reverted back to Nick Tilbury’s beloved 4-4-2. And St Johns picked up were they left off, dominating the game and pressing for goals.

Both Centre Midfielders John Werbinski and Johan Haynes, where the first to feel the result of having quality subs on the bench, both were guilty of some wayward finishing, albeit from distance in Werbinski’s case!

The Special one showed no mercy as the corner flag was replaced after another Werbinski strike went wide, his number was up and Marky ‘Jet-set’ Blackburn stepped into the breach. Minutes later as Yo-yo Haynes somehow managed to screw the ball wide with the goal gaping, Aks once again signalled a substitution, and in trotted Tony ‘I’ll claim 2’ Gear.

With the average height of the St Johns midfield now over 5’ 1” ft Huggins continued his crossing master-class delivering ball after ball into the danger zone.

Viewing from the touchline you could sense that the equalising goal was coming, and after some great running down the right flank Huggins found himself facing goal, the sidelines urged Huggins to shoot, but his new found crossing ability took over and he squared it across the goal for an on rushing Ralph Pirie-Lewis to crash it into the net. To all watching it looked like a great way to get back on level terms, but the Benfica linesman wasn’t having it and raised the arm and the referee acquiesced and chalked off a well deserved and totally legit goal.

Still going for the equalizer until the end, St Johns risked getting caught with too many men forward. A Police report has been filed for the missing right back Matt Ellis as the left winger was left all alone to poke the ball home.

St Johns could take heart from a battling display, but all too often, the first touch, final ball and shooting wasn’t up to scratch and in this league you get punished if you don’t put your chances away or give the ball away cheaply.

Match report by: John Werbinski