On a jelly like pitch, Tabuk carved out a hard fought victory that involved two contentious penalty decisions, personal battles, but some occasional skills and pristine timed tackling. | "Despite all the 'Pop Idol' styled fun, Tabuk should be thankful for the focused thinking of Morientes. " | | Tim Sansom |
Following their skilful 3-2 win against Digby Rangers, Yusuf Morientes captained a flame red clad Tabuk outfit against a Economics Society side led by Johan Rewilak who had reached the final showdown following an intensive 7-6 penalty shoot out against the interestingly titled 'Brian Blessed's Boys.' They sported sky blue shirts that resembled the fake water in bath showrooms, but the Economists quickly disproved the theory that accountants are only interested in the Financial Times, new desk toys, and stock market fluctuations to bother playing football. The first half became a war of attrition like a Great War battle. Apart from the odd charge the Tabuk strike partnership stayed in their trenches and just fired blanks.
 | | The Economics |
Suleman switched to the left to provide some attacking thrust but the attacking midfield players began sinking into the quicksand that is the allusive 'holding role.' Tabuk continued to make eye catching tackles but did not come in for the second helpings which allowed Bowman, Palmer and Arnold to try and score an increasingly allusive first goal for Economics. Despite the attrition and lack of real pace, FC Tabuk scored first with Rivaldo showing unruffled composure to slot his shot past Koch. Queue manic celebrations from the touchline! Half Time Following half time recuperation, the stand off continued with Economics not quite being able to find their way to the FC Tabuk goal or even the penalty box.
 | | The Warm Up. |
The temperature gradually rose with Tabuk realising that one goal may not be enough to claim victory. Bowman gradually began to make some progress on the right but was just about managed to be maintained by Darude. It would only be a matter of time before an intensely debated tackle turned into a penalty that was calmly converted by Darude on the second attempt after intense pressure. The match gradually turned into a surreal spectacle. Too many hard tackles forced a human ambulance to carry Hussein Hajat to the sidelines with intensely bruised shins. His goal drought and personal injury crisis would sadly have to continue for another couple of months. Death or Victory! Whilst a large amount of medical volunteers sprayed a much ointment onto the blood red swollen tendons, Economics managed to get a penalty following intensive pushing in the box.
 | | The game in full flow... |
Tabuk had been crying the motto "Death or Victory" at every opportunity but the Economists could have gained the passionate victory at the expense of Tabuk. The crowd became utterly hysterical when Dawood Patel came on for the final ten minutes of action. The flamboyant Patel had spent the previous week undertaking intensive PR activity that pleaded with a large amount of students to brave the Oadby rain and enjoy the game. A warm cheer echoed every time Patel kicked the ball, but the cheers turned to shrieking as Patel beat Rewilak's desperate last man defending, but could not quite line up a clinical finish. Despite all the 'Pop Idol' styled fun, Tabuk should be thankful for the focused thinking of Morientes. To Finish... The match was descending into a strange dressage for Tabuk players to practice their showbiz styled stepovers but one of the Economics' final attacks could have sent the match into a penalty shoot out if Morientes has not stuck out his leg in a truly match winning tackle.
 | | The beautiful game. |
At the final whistle the faces of Tabuk were etched with joy and their ecstatic supporters ran onto the pitch. It is doubtful that the same players will be playing together next season and that would be unfortunate because the team can play some decent football. Despite their continually negative reputation, the togetherness of the side was strong and prevailed to ultimate victory. Another football tournament had ended with a match that was arguable more exciting then what is sometimes served up by the professionals. | 
