A brace from McCleary and a rare goal from G Mann ensured the three points for the Stallions on Saturday at Nairnville. In shin deep mud both sides attempted to play football but were undone by the atrocious conditions.
McCleary opened the scoring after 10mins with a well taken goal. Turning his marker at the top of the box, McCleary curled a shot wide of the keeper and inside the left upright. 1-0
The Raiders enjoyed most of the position and peppered the Stallions goal, without being able to break their opponents down.
They had a good shout turned down by Umpire Davies, when right back Fogarty brought down a Raiders striker on the edge of the box. Replays were inconclusive as to whether or not the foul was committed inside the goal box, and so benefit of the doubt went to the batsman.
After soaking up Raiders pressure for at least 25mins, the Stallions launched a counter. Utility G Mann went on a trademark barnstorming run, brushing off three would-be tacklers before sliding a shot past the keeper for a classy finish. 2-0 (35mins)
HT 2-0
2nd half was much of the same with the Raiders stringing some good passes together and pressuring the Stallions goal. The breakthrough came after 55mins when centre back Aitofi was caught trying to play football in his own third. His stray pass was intercepted by a Raiders attacker who finished well over the head of Utility G Mann who was now in goal. 2-1
The Stallions managed to pull away again after some good work from White and Lister down the right. Lister had a shot blocked from close range and the rebound fell for McCleary to stab home his second. 3-1 (65min)
However, the Raiders were not finished and continued to attack. They pulled another goal back after a miscued defensive header from Bob Hinkels ballooned high in the air above the Stallions six yard box. Keeper G Mann was out-jumped by a Raiders attacker and the ball bobbled in to the goal 3-2 (72mins)
From then in it was all hands to the pump for the Stallions as they fought to hang on to their slender lead. At times playing a line of five at the back plus a sweeper, the home side battled hard and were relieved to hear the full time whistle sound. 3-2
Attendance: 2
NB: The previous weeks result was 4-2 to the Stallions- scorers Sawyer, Davies, R Walker, Pandinho
So Stallions win 7-4 on aggregate!
6 comments:
Lister had a close range shot blocked - shit, that's generous.
It was never a shot, a well directed pass straight to Tristin's feet - just where he likes it. Class all round.
I was back on halfway so didn't see it clearly, maybe someone else who had a better view could comment?
Great match report StevieG; might have to frame it ;)
Haha. Yep, you should be proud of that one Graham! The way I saw it, it was more like the keeper shanked a kick out of his hand which landed just outside of the box. Graham bulldozed his way past a couple of pedestrians who had their feet stuck in the mud and laid on a clinical finish under the keeper. A great goal and great shreek for a celebration.
Aarons was definitely a shanked shot at goal that went to Trisms feet! Can't wait 4 this weekends game lads, I'm amping. 1 game away from Capital 6 LET'S HAVE EM!!!
Joe Cole just signed 4yr deal with Liverpool...bonus
Blasphemy! I liked you better when you didn't score any goals Panda.
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