If you register for free, you will be able to post threads, vote on polls and lots more. If you have problems with the registration or logging in, please contact the administrator.
7.3.09
Calais (0) Amiens (1) French Cup 11th round
Calais- None
Amiens- Fred Willson 47
MOM- Kevin Brown, Calais
"Plenty of chances for us in this one, but we misfired a lot," grumbled Gond.
Looking up from the stat sheet Faramir offered a curt nod, "Only 3 of 12 shots on goal. Pretty pitiful shooting. We played well on defense since we only allowed them 4 shots, but if you can't score- you can't win."
"It was still a good run. Amiens is a solid Division 1 club."
"Good runs are only satisfying when you win the final."
***
11.3.09
Laval (1) Calais (0)
Laval- Julien Vellas 18-P
Calais- None
MOM- Eric Allibert, Laval
"If he is going to call penalties like the one on Marc-Vivien (Foe), I wish he would call it consistently," muttered Gond.
"It isn't worth worrying about Barry. If Allibert doesn't play a sensational match in net- we gain a better result."
"We did have a fair share of chances in the match- good ones too."
02-25-2005, 11:16 AM
Troubled Visions- Faramir's Dream (Lord of the Rings Challenge) Post #262
14.3.09
Tours (2) Calais (4)
Tours- Didier Ouattara 49 Nabio Turai 80
Calais- Yoann Tapella 3 Dulee Johnson 16,27 Joao Paralta 34
MOM- Dulee Johnson, Calais
Gond was strumming his fingers on the arm of the chair, "Dulee (Johnson) is really coming on. I thought he might be a bit of a waste when he didn't score much in the beginning of the season- but he is proving me wrong now."
"It was a really good first half for us, but we need to finish out the matches with a bit more concentration."
***
Faramir sat there in shock, "I can't believe it."
Gond looked concerned, "What?"
"That was Marc-Vivien (Foe) on the phone. He called to tell us that he is done- now."
"Now? In the middle of the season?"
"Yes. He told me he was retiring immediately. He was offered a coaching position on the Cameroon National staff and so is leaving in the morning."
***
27.3.09
Calais (4) Laval (0)
Calais- Mounir Alkhatib 1,12 Adriano 45 Daisuke Matsui 89
Laval- None
MOM- Mounir Alkhatib, Calais
"Now we are headed to the League Cup Semis on a better note," commented Gond.
"It was a strong performance and we will need to play even better against Le Havre."
"How many goals has Yoann (Tapella) lost to offside this season?"
"Five I think- just unlucky that way."
02-26-2005, 05:10 AM
Troubled Visions- Faramir's Dream (Lord of the Rings Challenge) Post #263
4.4.09
Le Havre (1) Calais (2) League Cup Semifinal (Extra Time)
Le Havre- Reinaldo 25
Calais- Mounir Alkhatib 89 Filipe Morais 118
MOM- Adriano, Calais
"I was beginning to wonder if we would ever score on Anthony Petitfre. He had a splendid match," observed Barry Gond.
"For the match we outshot them 21-7, but I agree that I was also wondering if we could get a goal. Mounir (Alkhatib) came up with another clutch goal for us..."
"It is wierd that the turning point of the match revolved around our ex-player Thomas Heed. When he was redcarded at 54 minutes it finally removed the little bit of pressure they were putting on us in the 2nd half. We spent the rest of regulation time pretty much in their end. If Dulee (Johnson) could have scored in the first half- it wouldn't have been as close. He had 6 great scoring chances and just couldn't get one."
"They managed a couple good chances in extra time- with Qu Bo and Reinaldo both coming close, but Cees (Paauwe) came up with the big stops. Then Adriano made that beautiful touch pass to Filipe (Morais) and he whisked it past Petitfre before he could move for the match winner."
"Did you see Caen upset Lyon 1-0 in the other Semi? A match of 2nd Division clubs in the League Cup Final."
"That was a great way to clinch promotion to Division 1 and to clinch the Title at the same time!" excitedly exclaimed Gond.
"It was a pleasure to do it front of our home fans- and to win convincingly with entirely 2nd line players. This has been a great season for us and the boys deserve a lot of credit."
"Seems our League Cup Semifinal helped buoy the spirits. We had been flagging a little bit at the long season, but everyone has the jump again in practice."
03-02-2005, 06:02 AM
Troubled Visions- Faramir's Dream (Lord of the Rings Challenge) Post #264
The sparkling glistened through the case. The crystal shard seemed to shine with the brilliance of the sun under the track lighting.
Allye looked at the elderly man that was standing next to her.
He smiled, "I shall dearly miss it. It has brought me much joy in my lifetime, but I know that it is *right* that you should have this dear girl."
Allye was stunned, "But, ah..."
He held up a weathered hand, "I know something of its history. I also know something of your search. But most of all I know what is right for the crystal." He reached into the case and caressed it fondly for a moment and then continued, "It must be whole again. You are attempting to make it so and that is enough for me."
Grasping it, he lifted it off the stand with reverence and then placed it into a small purple sack that he had brought with him, "Go with God young lady, you must look east to find the next piece."
Gaping at the man's knowledge, Allye stammered, "What? But how?"
Shrugging the man said, "The crystal told me. The history you have discovered since arriving would eventually tell you that another shard of the crystal was sent eastward as a gift, but I am sorry I can't tell you where it might have wound up. Search for the history of the caravans, for it was on one of the last great ones it was sent."
Shaking her head in disbelief at her good fortune after all the struggles to reach this pale man and this place, Allye could only stammer "Thank you Monsieur..."
Placing the sack into her palm and closing her hand upon it, he smiled warmly, "Monsieur Lee Goulas. Goodbye and good fortune young lady."
03-03-2005, 06:12 AM
Troubled Visions- Faramir's Dream (Lord of the Rings Challenge) Post #265
25.4.09
Calais (2) Caen (1) League Cup Final
Calais- Loic Pailleres 31 Yoann Tapella 44
Caen- Mario Espartero 70
MOM- Ferdinand Coly, Calais
"It was exciting, maybe a bit too exciting," bubbled Gond.
"We played a strong defensive match throughout. If Stephane Porato hadn't played so well for them- we would have won by more."
"Cees (Paauwe) justified the new contract you gave him. He really played extremely well too, though Porato had the tougher work in the match. Ferdinand (Coly) is really enjoy the attention the press is giving him."
"He deserves it. It was his first MOM all season. After all the press when Nantes released him- that he was washed up, I am certain this is sweet vindication for him."
***
As Gond and Faramir met in the office the morning after the Cup win, the afterglow was still on the city and the stadium.
"The celebration is still going on?" asked Faramir.
"Seems so- likely will all today too. I think there is a parade for the players as well."
"They deserve it."
"Why did you want to meet this morning?"
"Allye called me very early this morning. She found an important piece of information and thinks she is close to discovering where the third shard is located."
Gond looked a bit downcast, "So, we are moving on again?"
Faramir nodded, a bit sad himself, "We have to. It is our task."
Gond stood up and snapped off angrily, "It isn't fair. Every time we make a success- we are never around to enjoy reaping the fruit of it."
Faramir's weary eyes stared back, "Of course it isn't fair," his voice was tinged with sarcasm. "Did you think this journey with me was all about fairness Barry? Did you think this journey is about personal success? You know damm well what we are doing is for neither. Is it fair that Allye is out there with her life on the line searching for the information we need?"
Gond slumped against the wall, "You're right, I have no call to be thinking that way. Still, it is hard on my spirit to leave behind all the good work we have done- and almost certainly start over somewhere else."
"I feel that way too Barry- don't kid yourself that I don't. But all that success means less than nothing if we don't keep on our journey. You heard the old man too- this journey has many implications and if we fail...well, who knows."
"Where is Allye?"
"Germany right now. But she is leaving for Ukraine in the morning. She said there are some church records there that might give specifics on where that third shard might be."
"How soon do we leave?"
"Not until Allye is able to find out more. She didn't think it would be before summer- so we at least should be able to finish out the season."
"Well, that's good at least."
"You know the funny thing Barry? Remember the old man's comments about our task- that we leave behind us a legacy of hope and success? Look at how that has worked out. Dundee United is now one of the 'rich' Scottish clubs. Arbroath is well off as well- and challenging the Old Firm clubs for the top spot again. When we leave here- Calais will be a Division 1 club- League Cup holder- and should have at least 6 Million in their account to build upon our success. We are doing it! We are building clubs that will stand the test of time! The old man would appreciate that."
03-07-2005, 11:11 AM
Troubled Visions- Faramir's Dream (Lord of the Rings Challenge) Post #267
1.5.09
Chateauroux (1) Calais (3)
Chateauroux- Torben Kristiansen 45
Calais- Loic Pailleres 1 Billy Macdonald 36 Mounir Alkhatib 55
MOM- Kevin Mofid, Calais
"We certainly are finishing out on a strong note," stated Gond.
"That is the best Billy (Macdonald) has played so far. He has really stepped forward after Marc-Vivien (Foe) suddenly retired."
"Loic (Pailleres) continues to amaze me with his headers. He is in the right spot to drive them- like his goal today. We missed him when he was out with injury."
***
3.5.09
Calais (0) Nice (1)
Calais- None
Nice- Ferdinand Coly Own-Goal 32
MOM- Benoit Loko, Nice
"Really, they couldn't beat us. Instead we did it ourselves," chuckled Gond.
"All you can do is laugh this one off. Ferdinand's deflection and the fact that we threw everything AND the kitchen sink at Benoit Loko and couldn't score- just one of those matches you aren't fated to win."
"Did you realize that we have 4 Division losses now- all of them were 1-0 losses."
"Somewhat amazing, but it is also a sign of how hard we play- even when losing."
03-08-2005, 06:00 AM
Troubled Visions- Faramir's Dream (Lord of the Rings Challenge) Post #268
8.5.09
Calais (1) Ajaccio (0)
Calais- Joao Paralta 38
Ajaccio- None
MOM- Joao Paralta, Calais
"Joao (Paralta) is certainly giving our fans something to remember. That was one his best this season," offered Gond.
"He was really the only player who stood out on either club today- I think it might be time to feature some of our extra players for these last few matches."
***
13.5.09
Racing CP (1) Calais (3)
Racing CP- Paul Orr 39
Calais- Filipe Morais 15 Omar Zongo 22 Zyad Jusic 74
MOM- Adriano, Calais
"They showed a lot of heart for being a last place and already relegated club," said Gond admiringly.
"Robin Huc may be in trouble for their placement, but he deserves credit for having them still playing hard at this point in the season."
"Adriano is closing nicely, I don't suppose you managed to get a new contract with him."
"No. He wouldn't talk contract anymore after today- wants to wait and see what the summer brings. Kevin Mofid did sign a new contract though."
03-09-2005, 04:56 AM
Troubled Visions- Faramir's Dream (Lord of the Rings Challenge) Post #269
Allye, Faramir and Barry Gond were all pouring over ancient books.
"How do you know he isn't lying," asked Barry of Allye.
"I just know. I am sorry, but I can't explain further."
"How about this one?" asked Faramir. He pointed to the reference as the other two leaned over to look.
"I don't think that's it," said Allye, "This one was headed north, not anywhere toward Constantinople."
A long respite of silent searching and page turning blanketed the room as each continued looking.
"Maybe this one?" offered Barry doubtfully.
Allye looked over his shoulder, "Hmm, you might be on to something there." She traced the passages and notes about the contents and destination. "That's it!"
"Why that one?" asked Faramir warily.
"Look here. French merchant Girard of Calais joined the caravan with an escort of several knights."
"Ok, so that's the one. Where were they headed?"
"Poland."
Faramir looked doubtfully at Barry, "Do we even know anyone in Poland?"
03-09-2005, 05:26 PM
Troubled Visions- Faramir's Dream (Lord of the Rings Challenge) Post #270