A game of two halves… and an amazing goalkeeper!

Sunday’s game may as well have been played on hot coals with the amount of heat that was generated off the playing surface. But at least the Raiders could relax in the heat knowing you wont have to run around on the worlds biggest pitch… or not. Both of those factors aside it was neither the heat, nor the size of the pitch that could be to blame for Raiders’ slow start.

In fact, the first slow start was that of coach Pat… forgetting his arrangement to pick up Wauter for the game, he later on forgot his spuds when he opted to attend his girlfriend’s best friend’s leaving do instead of staying out for the duration with the lads. A late appearance redeemed some self worth.

As for the game. Raiders had several early openings and looked comfortable for the first 10-15 minutes of the game. The ball was flying down the right wing but poor deliveries and some hapless finishing in front of goal meant Raiders struggled to take the lead. Anthony, obviously bored by proceedings in his own goal decided to take matter into his own hands, chest and feet… when he close-lined the opposition’s striker. Penalty awarded. Penalty scored. 1-0.

A lack of communication then seemed to affect Raiders as they gave the ball away cheaply. They did continue to create chances. The flying Spaniard looked to have placed a header into the corner of the goal only for the opposition’s keeper to grasp the ball from the air. The keeper that everyone will agree kept the score low for the opposition. Or at least I myself am claiming so.

The second goal came for the opposition after Raiders gave the ball cheaply and at half time they found themselves 2-0 down. It may be worth mentioning that it could have been 3-0 had Anthony not palmed off a shot around his near post. But equally, it could have been 3-3 given Raiders’ squandered chances.

Coach Pat mixed it up a little in the second half with a change of positions. In between all the goals Nano was nutmegged, Daniel German in the first half managed to pick up a booking for a Bruce Lee moment. Edwin lost his shit… and got booked.

The second half saw Raiders come back and score some decent goals. A through ball put Stu in who after being brought down in the box, calmly stepped up and converted the penalty. Seconds later Raiders were 3-1 down though as the opposition broke again and a scuffle was somehow slotted low into an empty net.

The comeback then started, a squared ball saw Wauter finish from close range and Raiders began to get more chances. If anyone speaks to Stu, make sure you ask him to show you the technique for putting the ball over the bar from inside the 6 yard box. Spectacular!

He did redeem himself though as when an Edwin cross was floated in Stu was stood in the right place and was hit on the head by the ball (by surprise) and it went in! Stu didn’t know whether to celebrate, not knowing what had just happened. All credit to Edwin. Great ball. That tied the game at 3-3.

Thankfully for myself after wasting several chances Mike played a perfect through ball leaving me one on one to slot home past Peter Schmeichel in goal and Raiders took the 3 points. All in all a good workout and it was nice to see Jerry take an ice bath at the end.

Roll on next week and another 3 points!

By Danial (Hoggy) Hogg