New season, new management, new tactics, new optimism, old faces and old legs
Team: Sejerson, Morris, Wrigley, Macdonald, Praestergaard, Waite, Glover, Lewis, Bentham Harbusch, Firth. Subs: Erikson, Cunningham.
Goals: Lewis,Praestergaard.
New season, new management, new tactics, new optimism, old faces and old legs. King Kenny Francey had left the cohort to become a centurion as Vets 1, marshalled under the new leadership of captain Harbusch began a new campaign intent on tunnelling toward promotion.
The team talk to an attentive dressing room, inspirational and full of syllables with a new 3, 5, 2 formation focused on the offensive, victory and banana consumption. Taking to the grassy, hard and somewhat large field on a baking day a passing ref obliged to keep the adrenalin in check. We lost the toss.
Kick-off: The 3,5,2s immediately put the escape plan into action with several early raids deep in the opposition half, with both wing backs Praestergaard and Bentham in the ascendancy. The outcome - a swift move on the right hand flank culminating in a low venomous cross from Bentham dissecting the 6 yard box. Defenders caught off guard watching Harbusch and Firth the ball whizzed through past a floundering goalkeeper, only for the predatory supporting Lewis to stab home from close range at the back post. 1-0 after 5 mins.
A great start with confidence up and ready to surge, but the opposition surged instead. Elan Evere then revealed their talisman forward and a skillful central midfielder. They dazzled in an array of close control and accurate passing. The 3,5,2s held firm with Sejerson racing off his line to close down any hint of openings. Several corners had to be dealt with, aggressive defending by Wrigley, Macdonald and Morris required.
Still Elan Evere advanced throughout the half with Waites, Lewis, Glover, Praestergaard and Bentham trying to wrestle midfield control back. Against the run of play a call from Glover in space in midfield, he receives the ball to feet and in the same vein a call from Bentham wide on the right sees a defence splitting pass dispatched. Bentham raced up the line and delivered a screaming cross to the far post. An incoming Praestargaard at ramming speed dispatched a bullet header with pinpoint accuracy between the ensuing goalkeepers legs. 2-0 and half time, a sucker punch delivered to a plucky Elan Evere.
Half time team talk centred around nulling the opposition's frontman and maintaining formation. No changes in personnel as the 3,5,2 s took to the field prepared with a cunning plan.
The opposition continued to probe threateningly as the cunning plan "Morris" snuffed out the forward threat forcing him eventually into a few theatricals. Their midfield restricted to a few long shots in hope as defensively the 3,5,2s held firm.
Substitutions, fresh legs with Cunningham taking over from Praestergaard and Erikson in a display of controlled aggression taking over from Macdonald. Formation intact, the opposition continued to probe and had to be shepherded continually with great effort. Breakaways by Harbusch, Firth, Lewis and Bentham had created several chances for the 3,5,2s as the opposition pushed on.
Opportunity struck for their nifty frontman, as he shakes his marker Morris, beats Sejerson to the ball for the first time and chips over him from close range. Only for his unshaken marker to back up and clear nonchalantly off the line, no damage - goal intact the game ended. A good match, well refereed against strong opposition and an even better result, some points will be dropped here by visiting teams on this display.
MOM: Brian Lewis
