Raiders delivered a well deserved 3 points to their adoring worldwide fanbase (that’s 92 likes on their Facebook page) with congratulations flooding in from the corners of Asia, Europe, Australia and the Americas. Such is the news of a victory against our oldest rivals. Saints are well used to having the upper hand and it was an absolute pleasure to watch Raiders go the whole 90 minutes without ever looking like they were in danger of losing this one, making the other team work hard, and punishing them. It could have been more than 2.

Fla finished clinically (twice) when through on goal, the cutting edge we were missing the week previously against Hot Shots. Fla was clean through again in the second half but failed to finish on that occasion, passing up the chance of a hatrick. Joey and Paddy provided the stability at center back, with Johan and Rasul both having assured games at full back. Dawson nearly scored a cracker, his volley from a corner coming back off the crossbar. Midfield worked hard and was industrious with Albin, Sascha and Laurie putting in the yards.

Saints felt aggrieved claiming a handball in the build up to the first goal and then being denied a penalty for what looked like a handball from Rasul – ball to hand or hand to ball…? But they would not argue  with this result. They created very little, Angelo making a trademark save (i.e. a very good one) towards the end of the game, Raiders weathering a small period of sustained pressure as Saints tried to get back into it.

Overall great team performance, great squad, great day to be a Raider!

Pics will be in the gallery just as soon as I upload our 3000+ photo archive to Flickr.