Thu Duc Sports Uni. 2:30pm on a Saturday afternoon. Enough to make the strongest of men reach for the factor 50 & seek shade for the smallest fraction of time, let alone pasty irish right-backs. “Vietnamese team, local ref lads, we know to expect 20% of the decisions”, exclaimed Hoggy, blissfully unaware of how hypocritical this would become…

Thankfully, Steffan left his garish green boot monstrosities at home to take his first start in the holding midfield spot, with the defense undergoing the biggest reshuffle and Fola and Jennings assuming the wide berths.

Fresh from dropping their first points of the season against the fortunate Hot Shots (and with warning shots fired from coach), Raiders began positively, snapping at the heels of their closest placed rivals at every opportunity. In-form Emma began impressively once more, playing Hoggy in, only for the self-proclaimed ‘Johnny Sins’ to fire a blank…

Pressure continued as full league debutant Adam Jennings followed up an initial saved Ema shot but under pressure and at an angle, fired high, wide and Mikey Owen levels of handsome (sooooo, pretty fugly). The Cocks threatened rarely in the first half, a bouncing cross forcing Ben Mansell to clear awkwardly & Mark Kenny in particular, reading counters very well and edging his weekly, personal, aerial duel battle with his CB partner (#CBunion4lifeyo). Soon enough, the pressure took its toll, with Ema and Hoggy linking up well yet again, to see the latter improve his aim and find the bottom corner. ‘Would’ve been good to see that composure levelled at the referee’, I hear you all shout. Quite.

The Raiders have known better than most this season how dangerous a 1-0 advantage could prove but began the 2nd half in similar vein, probing and prodding those Cocks with more huff and puff but little finesse. Some truly awful challenges continued to go unpunished from the Ref, who by now had become Hoggy’s favourite ever human. Thankfully, Raiders got a deserved cushion as they went 2-0 ahead, a big, powerful header from a Cocks goal kick by Kenny, forcing the Cocks defense on the back foot. MOTM Clem, busy all afternoon with non-stop running, read the bounce better than anyone and looped the ball over the keeper. A professional, uncompromising display by all, with the defense & Steffan proving miserly and the front 5 working tirelessly throughout.

The minutes dragged on until, quite possibly, the season-defining moment arrived. WATER BREAK! YESSSSSSS! Insert celebratory GIF here.

Shortly afterwards, Chris Van Der Wanker missed a sitter your Grandma would stick away. Go figure.

#ohwhentheraiders
#oncearaideralwaysaraider
#thatshighqualityH20