QK7 Stadium.

The Raiders awoke on Sunday morning, knowing that today, something was going to be a little bit different than usual.

Daniel Vo was on time.

The biggest change though came in the formidable and compact shape of Coach Colin. Our previous manager, having failed miserably in his attempts to lead us to glory, has swapped cowboy hat for football boots. Pat – once again, a massive congratulations and thank you from all the Raiders for a superb job last season. But as they say in your country – “If you ain’t first, you’re last”.

TEAM:
Mirko
Daniel Vo
Jezza
Collin
Peter
Bao
Mic
Craig
Sipho
Hoggy
Aron

SUBS:
Rich
Pat
Edwin
Luke
Nico
Stuart
Mike

A scrappy opening ensued from the kick off. The Raiders looking a wee bit baffled stood in this large, rectangular cabbage patch. Nevertheless, the midfield was looking solid as Mic ran amok, closing down and chomping on anything that came his way. Sipho and Hoggy linked up brilliantly for a good chance from the left hand side.

Biggest opportunity fell to Craig as he was teed up just outside the box. 45 minutes of prior target practice eluded him as he walloped his shot past the post. “I told you its proper hard to hit them while the balls moving” – was his excuse when questioned after the game.

Chances came for both sides before the referee decided to blow for half time. 0-0. The Raiders with the better chances. A standout from the 1st 45 was Pete’s nonchalantly brilliant defending and little flick passes. So too Collin finding himself in the right place at the right time at the back.

The second half seemed to fly by. Though being on the pitch, I should remember more, I was also far more occupied with not being skinned by their right winger. AUFC took the lead through an unfortunate lack of communication. 0-1.

We went straight back at them and Nico tucked the ball away after an error from their keeper. Time seemed to stop though as the referee was wondering what he fancied for dinner before realising we had scored and to award us the goal. 1-1.

We endured a fair amount of pressure in the final 15 but stuck to our roles and threw everything at them. A wonderful bit of pressure from Aron and a charging run from Hoggy brought the winner as he took the ball around the keeper and slotted in from a tight angle.

FT : 2-1

A first win under our new Coach and plenty of positives to take away. Well, aside from the fact that we are properly unfit, want to play on grass but are terrible on it and that our MVP is f*cking off Scotland. So yeah, let’s crack on RAIDERS!

MOTM : Mic – a colossus in midfield, who fought tooth and nail. Plus he’s a LFC supporter so you know he’s a top lad. Well played mate.

TURKEY: Luke – for not wearing his kit in the team/sponsor photo. Brutal but hey, at least it wasn’t for assisting my own, own goal. Yes this has happened.

See you all at TRAINING!

RAIDERS!