Round 4 - Vs Raiders, Nairnville Park, 23 April

Write-up By Crespo

Elite 6 - 1 University Raiders

Pre match email banter was around having to do hard yards as we were light on numbers and a few people were struck down with the flu.

As I turned up to the ground I see Rafter standing there and I knew the SOS has gone out far and wide. 

CJ rocks up bringing along a spare pair of nets as he knows how reliable the opposition is.

Slowly the Elite turn up and we have managed to put together a squad of 13 for the game. 

Niall dons the goal keepers uniform, we line up, shake hands, give our respects to those brave Anzacs and prepare to do battle of our own against the Cap 6 seasoned Raiders.

Kick off 

Elite tend to have the better of possession without creating too many cut edge chances. After a clumsy challenge, CJ steps up to take freekick. This results in a goal mouth scramble and Stevo slams it home to open the scoring. 

Shortly after we win a corner and Clem delivers on a dime to the far post and Stevo rises like a salmon at the far post to head home and it’s 2 nil Elite. First half goes to plan with a couple of noticeable instances. Niall with a diving save to push the ball round his far post after a defensive lapse and Ross doing his best to remain golden boot by knocking Ants’ goal bound shot away from goal.

Half-time and its lollies and a chat around more of the same and continuing to use the space out wide.

A couple of tweaks at half time rolling our subs and we go for the ‘all England midfield’.

Second half 

Elite come out of the blocks perhaps a little too comfortably and Uni bounce on a poor defensive decision and capitalise with a tap in and the game is 2-1 Clem then scores the first of his brace with a well taken goal from the edge of the box

Then Justin Bieber of the Uni Raiders goes down under minimal contact from our big defender Damo and the ref points to the spot. A fair bit of gamesmanship from the Elite and questions around the ball on the mark result in an unsure shot combined with a spectacular save. If Cory was still here the words “justice” may have echoed through the Khandallah suburbs.

Niall distributes from the back and from some great lead up play we find our striker Clem who finishes superbly with his left peg finding the roof of the net and a 4-1 lead. 

The save and goal down the other end was instrumental in killing off the little belief that the academics still had.

From here it’s fairly smooth sailing for the Elite. Greg doing what he does best and finishing from the edge of the box and then providing a brilliant through ball for Hernan to get off the noodie run.

Elite finish up the victors in a comprehensive 6-1 win and back to the local for decent fine session.

Hard to dish out points in such an all-round complete display so I thought I would briefly sum up in displays. (Points in brackets)

(2) Niall – Has a new calling for the Elite, A Brilliant display at the back, calm under pressure, 2 key saves at important times including the pen

Damo – Did virtually all the defensive work down the left all day, worked tirelessly. Heart of a lion.

(2) Stev0 – 2 quality goals and backed up with a rock solid display at the back

(1)00 capped CJ – an assured display at the back and happy to play where the team needs it most, great play from the back and kept their striker under wraps all game. Congrats on 100th game. Get another star on the guys arm.

Ganesy – Provided the intimidation factor from the moment they shook hands, the talk was all about who is going to mark this colossus.  Good with ball and crucial, timely tackles at the back

Ants- Unluckly not to score and rock solid from the back with good distribution down the flanks

Crespo – talented but lazy so a typical performance – tidy finish 

Greg – Typical performance from the engine room, good distribution, great goal and assist, unlucky to miss the points but such is life.

Doug – Great to have a medical student back in the ranks. A tireless effort, good work rate and linking play with both Ross and Clem up front

Ross – Another powerful display at the front, good with back to goal and providing options for your midfield

(1) Clem – 2 great goals and another assist with the corner.  Workhorse with defending from the front

Marcel -  A tradesmen like performance, and everything you would expect from rafter, runs all day and provides options for both our defenders and midfield

DSKO – Great distribution in opening up the field in the second half, always available for a pass

BIG GAME NEXT WEEK. HOME TO SEATOUN WHO DID THE DOUBLE OVER US LAST YEAR.