Great start buddy! really good to see a Gibraltar club story; most of the ones i've seen have been the national side! Keep up the good work!
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The Lynx Roars - A Gibraltar Lynx FC Story
Here is how the league stands. As you can appreciate from the screenie Lincoln FC are due to play their game in hand against St Joseph's next. The following league fixture after that has the gripped the attention of whole of Gibraltar...Lincoln FC vs Lynx FC. The possible league decider and possibly deciding which Gibraltarian team will make history and play the Champions League Qualifiers for the first time! Can Lynx topple the 10 times on the trot champions?
The Lynx Roars - A Gibraltar Lynx FC Story
Harry Garcia had his players gathered in front of him. The match against Lincoln FC was two days away and his squad was well up for it. The local sporting press had started somewhat of a feeding frenzy, in fact no one could remember such a buzz surrounding a local league match. The interest was understandable with the high stakes at play. A pot of around £300,000 awaited the league champions, as well as the Promised Land of Champions League Qualifiers. Indeed both clubs stood at the threshold of History.
'Well boys, there it is,' intoned Harry. 'Bet 365 has Lincoln as favourites.' He let the squad assimilate that. Some faces showed signs of stress and worry, Harry knew who to drop. Other faces showed steel and determination, and it was Payas who spoke up.
'Gaffer we'll stuff it to them.' Turning to the team he said, 'boys whose top of the league? Who's already beaten Lincoln? Lynx that's who. We, you have beaten Lincoln once and we can beat them again! Lets play football on Tuesdays and Wednesdays rather than watching it on television.' He went on for a while longer and Harry let him, pride swelled at his breast to see this player he'd met as a shy retiring boy blossom into a leader of men.
As the meeting concluded and the players headed home, indeed some had shift work to attend to, Harry was left to ponder what the match would bring. Barcelo had failed a fitness test that afternoon meaning he was still out. Harding still had at least a fortnight out. He'd been thinking about shifting to a 4-5-1 for this match. Playing Bacarese with Payas and Gavisio seemed a good way of stifling Lincoln's attacking players. However as an avid reader of Sun Tsu and his Art of War he was conscious of making his enemy react to him and not vica versa. Lincoln had spent years dominating the league, they were not accustomed to having the game taken to them. Lynx would attack. Cabrera would be motivated against his old team while Marquez would be eyeing a spot in the international squad for the Euro 2016 qualifiers.
'Yes,' he mused to himself, 'El Lince will bar its claws and attack...'
The Lynx Roars - A Gibraltar Lynx FC Story
Garcia had made up his mind. The players on the flanks picked themselves due to injury. The forwards picked themselves on form. His only doubt was in the centre of the park. Payas was a definite starter. Gaiviso was showing signs of nervousness in games and Bacarese was looking hungry in training. Harry thought long into the night. His success had been built on the pairing of Gaiviso and Payas. Game after game, goal after goal was built on their tireless running and their passes. He had relied on them so far, he would rely on them for this most important game of the season. His reverie was interrupted by his phone buzzing on the arm rest of the armchair he lounged in. His assistant manager, Tyronne Avellano, had been sent to the Victoria Stadium to watch Lincoln's game in hand versus St Joseph's FC. The simple tweet just read,
It was game on this coming Saturday evening...
The Lynx Roars - A Gibraltar Lynx FC Story
The cracks could be heard quite audibly by 20:00 last Saturday evening. The beginning of the end , one may argue. The end of an Empire that has stood solid for 10 years. As Mick McElwee disdainfully shook Harry Garcia's hand at approximately 19:53 one could see the glint in the old man's eyes. He'd just witnessed his team weather a storm of Red Imps attacks on his goal. He'd seen his keeper pull off a dramatic one on one save. He'd seen his star striker consumed by the emotion of playing against his former team mates. He'd seen balls kicked by his players rattle the woodwork on two occasions. He'd seen a young central defender, Liyle Barcelo, rise above taller than national skipper Roy Chipolina to powerfully head a ball into the Lincoln net on the stroke of half time. He'd seen the Champions defeated. He'd seen his team go five points clear at the top in this Season of Seasons.
Fans at a packed Victoria Stadium seemed to be witnessing history in the making as Lincoln suffered a damaging defeat. Not because of the scoreline, but because of the now insurmountable gap between them and Lynx FC. It is going to take a monumental Yellow collapse to give the Red Imps a sniff of any possible title. Harry Garcia, Lynx FC manager, was very complimentary of Lincoln's legacy but it was clear to all in the post match press conference that this victory meant the world to the veteran manager. Champions League football was within Lynx's grasp. The question was now how would Lincoln react?
The Lynx Roars - A Gibraltar Lynx FC Story
February
A bitter sweet month for Lynx FC. They rightly took the plaudits on the 15th when they beat Lincoln 1-0 in the league. Likewise they had earlier booked their place in the Premier League Cup Final after beating Gibraltar Phoenix after extra time, Liyle Barcleo getting two important headers to equalise then give the Lynx the lead early in the first half of extra time. Cabrera helped himself to a brace in the league match against the Phoenix to ensure a further three points. Unfortunately for Garica and his boys Lincoln got revenge for their league defeat by winning the Gibraltar Premier League Cup 2-1. Nathan Green and John Paul Duarte gave Lincoln a 2 goal lead after a strong penalty shout for Lynx. Harry Garcia's protests got him into hot water with the Gibraltar Football Association that issued a warning about his conduct for the second time this season. Mark Bacarese scored a 90 minute consolation goal that made hope flare for the briefest of moments. Though Lynx FC had won the battle in the league, Lincoln went home with the first silverware of the season.
Vicotria Stadium, venue of the Gibraltar Premier League Cup Final
Player of the Month
Liyle Barcelo
- 3 goals, 1 clean sheet in 4 matches.
Story isn't engendering a lot of comments. Some constructive criticism would be great on how to improve!
The Lynx Roars - A Gibraltar Lynx FC Story
March
Only three matches in March as the league grinds to a close. Disappointment amongst Lynx FC supporters that they were dumped out of the Rock Cup by Gibraltar Phoenix. Having already put the Phoenix to the sword a number of times this season, the club true to its name rose from the ashes to inflict an unexpected Quarter Final defeat on Lynx. 0-0 at the end of extra time might the lottery of a penalty shoot out. Scores were level at 7-7 when Bughagiar scored Gib Phoenix's 8th penalty. Up stepped Yogen Santos. He blasted his kick straight at Podesta, the Phoenix keeper. A titanic shoot out which ended 8-7 in favour of Gibraltar Phoenix. Two more fixtures were played out in the league. An early John Barcelo goal was enough to beat St Joseph's FC to maintain that 5 point gap with Lincoln. The game against College Europa however has added a lot of spice to the last two remaining fixtures. Europa took the lead only for George Cabrera to score a most wondrous volley from a Wayne Harding cross. Linclon had earlier put Glacis United to the sword to the tune of a 3-0 drubbing. Three points ahead, two to play. Lincoln had three to play. Squeaky bum time indeed.
Player of the Month
George Cabrera
- 1 goal in two matches.
I tried Manchester 62 in Gibraltar, I won the league on the final day but sadly didn't get past the second season so it is nice to see someone do well. You don't get enough credit for the work you put in to this so well done mate 
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The Lynx Roars - A Gibraltar Lynx FC Story
April/May
CHAMPIONS
Harry Garcia rested his elbow on the yellow, bedecked open topped bus taking his triumphant Lynx team through Main Street in Gibraltar. The unthinkable had happened and Lincoln FC had been toppled as champions by Lynx FC. Garica and his squad had been nervous spectators at the Victoria Stadium that warm May evening as Gibraltar Phoenix held Lincoln to a 0-0 draw. With their goal under siege for almost 90 minutes the Phoenix withstood Lincoln's profligacy in front of goal to give Lynx the result they needed to win the Championship. For the first time in 10 years someone else's name would be etched onto the trophy! Two tough games closed the season for Lynx. A hard fought 2-1 victory over a very tough Glacis United saw left back Karim Piñero get his only goal of the season, and what a goal. A priceless 3 points. The last game against Manchester United 62 was a do or die affair. Once again El Lince was a goal down due to a fantastic finish from Leigh Adnett. Heads dropped and nerves frayed. Yet above it all rose the captain, Wayne Harding. An assist gave John Barcelo a goal from a thunderous left foot volley while Harding himself finished a breakout move in the 91st minute of the game. Lincoln FC knew a win would give them the title but credit to Gib Phoenix's defence. Steadfast and tall as the Rock itself they held to give Lynx a title that was fully deserved!
Player of the Month
Wayne Harding
- 1 goal 3 assists in two matches.
St Joesph's FC were relegated after a dismall season and Lincoln FC was due to complete a Cup double as they face Lions in the Rock Cup Final.
Lynx players dominate the statistics further proof the title was won on merit!
Finally the reward so sought after...
The Lynx Roars - A Gibraltar Lynx FC Story
The 23rd June 2014 will go down in Gibraltar's footballing history. For the first time ever one of its teams is drawn into the First Qualifying Round of the UEFA Champions League. Lynx FC as 2013/14 Premier League Champions have the honour o flying Giraltar's flag in the competition. It was a tense wait in the Lynx FC offices but the official word soon came through. Lynx would be travelling to Estonia to face JK Nomme Kalju after playing them at the Victoria Stadium on July 2nd. A brave new world indeed!
JK Nomme Kalju
The Lynx Roars - A Gibraltar Lynx FC Story
Lynx does Gib Proud! 4-3 Final Score
A historic day for Gibraltar football as the first ever Champions League match was played on the Rock. It pitted Lynx FC against Estonian champions JK Nomme Kalju in the 1st Leg of the 1st Qualifying Round for the Champions League. Lynx lined up with their customary 4-4-2 formation and with the eleven that won the league in such dramatic circumstances last season. The only change was at right back were Geno Gaiviso took the place of Brian Brosco. An inspired change as events would unfold.
Lynx were off to a stormer only for the Italian officials to flag George Cabrera offside. Fans roared their disapproval but it was clear that Cabrera had strayed offside. Kalju were quick to punish Lynx as Hans Putskov drilled in a perfect free kick into the top right hand corner of the goal. Jamie Robba left looking at the ball speeding past him! However two minutes later Aaron Payas, with his first assist of the season, fed George Cabrera who rifled a close range effort past the Kalju keeper, Teles. Score was level at 1-1 at half time.
Cabrera scores!
3 minutes into the second half however, Cameroon striker Kimbaloula netted Kalju's second away goal. A powerful run down the middle brushed aside Hendrick and Barcelo. A Kirill Salong goal on the 65th minute seemed to finish Lynx off. But like its feline namesake it reared its hind legs and barde its claws to fight its way back. Lython Marquez was gifted a goal by a mistake by center half Plesakov. But this was the start of the fightback. Cabrera got his second of the game following a classic one-two between both strikers on the 75th minute. By this stage both teams were clearly fighting fatigue but it was Lynx's players, more accustomed to the hot July weather, that struck last.
Right Back Geno Gaiviso, who lost his place in the Champioship team last season, cut in from the right hand side on the 82nd minute to curl in a peach of a shot that left Teles with no chance. The Victoria Stadium erupted in jubilant celebrations and even players from other teams were seen jumping up and down in the stands.To further compound Kalju's misery Left Back Mikhel Taska was sent off for a second yellow card.
History had been made by a team that only three years ago where in the second tier of Gibraltarian football. All eyes now on Estonia in a weeks time.
The Lynx Roars - A Gibraltar Lynx FC Story
Lynx FC through! 1-3!
Reporting from Tallinn this Gibraltar Chronicle reporter cannot believe what he has just seen. If history was made last week, today's result is almost Olympian in nature! Unbelievably so but Lynx FC remain in the Champions League and by a 7-4 aggregate score. For the first time a Gibraltarian league team has tasted victory away from our shores. A hard fought victory after Kalju had 14 shots on goal. They only scored with one while Lynx showed no such profligacy netting half of their shots on target. Kevagn Robba in the 3rd minute stunned the home ground into silence as he scored from close range. This opened a deluge of Kalju attacks that peppered the Lynx goal from all ranges and angles.
A visibly exhausted Lynx team went into the changing room heads still high. As the second half wore on substitutions had to be made and it was Mark Gerrard, on for Wayne Harding that scored what can only be described as a fluke of goal from wide on the right. Certainly Teles in the Kalju goal could have done better. To further pile on the embarrassment to the home side, Voskoboinikov put one past his keeper sending Lynx through to the next round against all expectations and footballing logic. Norwegian side Aalesund await.
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