Oh the taste of revenge is sweet.. Prior to the game Raiders could sense an optimism from the opposition, perhaps it was misplaced hope or an air of arrogance after their last scalp when they took three points in a tightly contested affair. The same could not be said about this game…

To say the lads were dying to get onto the pitch was an understatement, with the supporters out to back the lads in the re-match, Raiders were well pumped and dying to show the Saints who really is the best team in Saigon. Ready to tear into the first tackle, ready to compete for every ball, to play with pace and to run the opposition ragged and if truth be told they did just that. Not one player wanted the final whistle to blow for the Raiders as they all truly enjoyed a glorious Sunday night performance, arguably their best performance of the season.

After waiting what seemed like an eternity the game was ready for kick off, a dislocated shoulder making the kick off time around 9.45pm. Coach Colin delivered a shortened version of his rousing pre-match speeches as not much was needed to raise the adrenaline levels. Mirko was back in the sticks, the back three line up of McGayver, Olly © and Gary was supported with Andy and Mick Stanbrook in front. Danny H, Mike Owen and Clem added creativity, pace and hardwork to the steel midfield with Wouter and Hoggy up top. The bench consisted of “Cmmmmmooonn Waiders” AKA Ben S, Vo, Pat, Toby, Luke and the Wall Aron. All who played a part as well as the +100 fans.

The game kicked off at pace, Raiders flying forward to win back possession of the ball and when it broke on the left hand side Mike Own battled his way through to smash one home. 1-0 inside 2 minutes. Eruption around the field. The lads could taste blood and were hungry for more! .. The fans didn’t have to wait long, Wadders rolled a uncharacteristically accurate pass into Hogg only for him to be fouled around the edge of the dee. Up steps Clem. PAM! 2-0, a fizzed free kick flies past the keeper as he peels off to celebrate. 2-0 with 3 minutes gone. Saints heads were gone, Raiders were on point.

It was obvious that the goals couldn’t continue at the same pace but Raiders were never going to let up. Saints huffed and puffed and the long ball to Sean Sweeney was a good outlet for them, but Scotty and Gary were sweeping up and their positioning was on point. Olly, Mic and Andy were all winning their fair share of headers and bar a couple of corners Raiders were controlling the play.

As Raiders continued to press forward the ball was moving across the pitch well. Mike Owen brought the ball down on the left and lifted a ball across for Clem, a great touch and center to the back post gave Hogg a tap in for his first of the night. No Turkeys in sight at this point! 3-0. PAM x3.
Again the lads and lassies on the side were loving it.. or at least all those supporting the Red side of Saigon. Niko perhaps a little quiet on the commentary as Saints sideline were not coping well with the onslaught. Lucky Raiders season ticket holder Twemlow was there to mediate. Coach Colin must have been delighted with what he was seeing as Raiders were bossing the outing. Even Wadders came close with a header from a Mike Owen corner that hit the bar. Wouter was pulling their defense apart and also came close with Saints keeper having to make a save.

As the first half drew to a close it wasn’t without another goal for the main man Clements. The Dutch King was prepping for Kings Day as he smashed another effort home to make it 4-0. Half time was drawing near and Raiders were bouncing!

A quick team talk from Colin to keep the intensity, keep up the fight and to not give them an inch was echoed by all and Raiders returned to the field hungry for more. The second half had more chances in store, Danny H at the back post came close twice with two shots from a tight angle. McGeever came charging like an oversized Rhino as the ball dropped out to the edge of the box from a corner.. he drove it hard and low only for his effort to go wide, deflecting off Hogg on the way.
The second half saw the Saints fade, they were struggling to create and their tired legs and lack of fitness was a struggle for them, every attack getting stretched more and more, Mike Owen sent Hogg through one on one and from the angle he hit it through the keeper who probably should have done better. 5-0, we continue!

Now there is something that happened at this point in the game… hard to believe it ended in a turkey nomination for yours truly. One could perhaps forgive others who have not had the horrible experience of “having too much time in front of goal” for poor judgement when nominating and so it must be that reason as to why I am submitting another match report. Had I perhaps not slid the ball antagonisingly past the post then this would have been Raiders best goal of the evening as a team. To the cheers of crowd the lads had moved the ball well, Wouter had squared the ball perfect… but the finish meant it wasn’t to be!

A few changes saw Olly drop to the bench and Wadders drop to his more suited center half position. Pat jumped in on the left hand side and smashed a ball in to Clem, Clem then turned and beat a man before sending Hogg away down the left, a ball across for Wouter saw him calmly slot home. Class break away goal and a well deserved goal for Wouter.

More changes were then made with Sharvelle roaring onto the pitch. He also manage a shot that came close past the keepers post as he looked to make it 7. Danny Vo then also came on, good to see him back in the side after time away, although are we going to go a whole season without one of his famous tackles!?

The next moment in the game is one that a certain Clements may wish to forget. It would appear that everyone else must have done so…a more suited more fitting Turkey nomination for sure as from 3 yards out (a whole 10 yards closer than the actual turkeys effort).. Clem volleyed clean over the bar, almost as high as a VC penalty.

The next goal, a screamer for sure.. was a left foot curler to seal Hoggs hattrick. However.. it was not enough to avoid the dreaded Turkey. Fickle friends in football…

In a game where the attackers turner up mentions should still be given to the who Raiders unit. Everyone on the day was truly outstanding. The unit consisted on that day of all on and off the pitch. A game that left everyone buzzing for weeks and eager for a match report. The wait serving only as a timely motivator ahead of the game VS Sporting where Raiders can attempt to seal the league title… Remember the intensity and take it into the game lads. Remember the tempo. Remember the first tackle.. there is plenty to visualize ahead of this next one and with the same attitude there will be a similar score line fitting of league champions. COME ON WAIIIIDDDEEEERRRSSS..