chúc mừng năm mới

It was the last game before TET and coach Colin was keen to get another league game in before the holidays. Many Raiders had alredy departed, at least those who remembered to get a Visa! ….. Those forgetting then making alternative last minute arrangements to head to Phu Quoc.

Still, Raiders were able to put together a squad of 17 players for a game against Olympique who usually provide a stern opposition. Colin was once again not afraid to make some bold decisions with the line up, competition for places continues to be intense and several lads will of certainly felt unlucky to have not been put into the starting 11 for this one. The two new lads Nayan and Demis were given an opportunity and once the final whistle was blown it was clear that both made a solid start to their Raiders ‘careers’. Overall though, this was not about individuals today, this was a team performance, a strong effort across all areas of the pitch and the scoreline speaks for itself!

To the game, Mirko between the stick on the back of his penalty heroics (We are still all praying that he gets confirmation soon for the VC to save Pat or Gary from the inevitabel number 1 shirt). The back three was made up of Bloor, Nayan and the guy who refers to himself as ‘Hot Andy’. Out on the left wing back was Mike Owen, Right Free Role/Right Striker yours truely – Hoggy. In the middle the loud and proud trio of Mick, Ben and Small Bearded Scott. Up top Demis and Clem, a frightening pairing (even though we all know Clem is best suited in the number 10 role with someone else being up top..). The bench was made up of Craig, Pat, Luke McD, a quickly half recovered Nico and fashionably late Danny Vo.

Raiders were all keen to get off to a good start and it was pleasing to see them pressing early on. The ball was moved relatively quickly on the floor, chances were presenting themselves and it seemed that although Olympique were a threat, Raiders were starting to control the play. Mike Owen chipped a delicate ball behind the oppositions defence for Hoggy to connect on the volley, the ball scraped the post on its way wide. Good work down the left again from Mike saw Clem cut inside and win a corner, the ball was then floated in but nothing fruitful came as the ball again glanced just wide.

Pressure was mounting but the raiders were moving the ball well in midfield. Mick and Ben seemed to be closing down rapidly and picking up the ball. The lads at the back getting into good positions and apart from a couple of counter attacks Raiders were pushing for the lead. Hoggy crashed a shot into the side netting when Mike Owen laid him in again.. Mike may or may not have been a little frustrated with the lack of assists in this game!

A change in formation then saw Clem return to the number 10 role and Hoggy moved up front. Craig came into midfield replacing Bloor with Scott moving to his more famiiar role at the back. Then the first goal came, a nice interchange saw Clem lay in Demis, and Demis cooly applied a left footed finish across the keeper 1-0. Bang Bang it was soon 2. Good pressing from Raiders saw Demis steal the ball and slot home 1 on 1. Then within another 2 minutes the first half hatrick came, a brilliant inerception at the back saw the ball move quickly into midfield, Ben turned and played a ball quick into Hoggy, he laid of to Clem who in turn threaded the ball through to Demis, Demis fast away from the defence then slotted home at the new post and wheeled away in celebration. 3-0 and Raider possibly just scored the best counter attacking goal of the season. Pleasing for all invovled to see the standard of Raiders play and all joined in the celebrations.

The rest of the half didnt go without incident, Hoggy struck against the keeper only for Clem to follow up and apply a finish, only then to be called offside. A couple of efforts and corners from Olympique failed to trouble Mirko in goal and the lads at the back did well. It is keen to point out as this part of the report that ‘Hot Andy’, delighted with getting the opportunity to play across the back really cemented his position. A definite CB. Well done you.

To be honest in this game there really was nobody putting a foot out of place. All the lads were grafting hard, work off the ball really seems to have improved, wether Olympique were tired or not at the races wasnt clear – but certainly Raiders covered a lot of ground in this game and were positive throughout. It was deserved when they went in 3-0 up at half time.

A quick team talk and the lads then went back out. But what wasnt in the script was what came next – a quick break down the raiders right hand side found them short and overran. Olympique managed to isolate Andy in the corner and skip past to then square a ball across the goal, unmarked at the back post the opposition striker poked the ball home. 3-1 and not the start expected.

This early goal could of sparked a comeback, only not today. Raiders quality was just too good overall, Clem was getting alot of the ball as were the lads in the middle. All were turning it over quickly and as Olympique tried to press Raiders took advantage. Clem fired home a quality finish to make it 4-1, soon after he then scouped the ball over an outcoming keeper and made it 5. This lad keep producing the good, consistent goals, assists and work rate. Another fine game from Clem.

On came Pat, again probably unfortuante not to get longer on the pitch but boy did he make an impact! – for the first time ever he was not nominated for turkey!! It was Pat who assisted Raiders 6th goal. Lofting the ball forward to Hoggy who ran the ball to the edge of the box, one thought in mind – HIT THE F***ING TARGET… He did and fortunately the keeper couldnt get across to it as it nestled in the corner. 6-1.

More chances kept coming, a good run from Clem saw him laid in only for the referee to call offside.. ignoring the linesman and denying Clem of what would of been a deserved hatrick. Luke McD entered the fold, unfortunately due to a audautious half way line attempt (that was totally just and not deserving of a turkey vote!) Lukes chances of a strike on goal were reduced with such a selfish strike partner!

Mick S kept battling in midifield, the opponents were winning nothing in their due to his hardwork along with Craig and Ben. It was a long long game for the opposition. Mick did then get a head cold, a blistering run forward saw him steam down on goal, sure to strike and score… oh wait! He passed. Unselfish but next time we hope he will rattle one!

Again Raiders continued to press. The lads at the back looked sterdy. Mike Owen was getting the crap kicked out of him, but just continued to terrorise their right hand side and then….. Corner, ball comes in, Waddsworth rises like a salmon and all he has to do is head into an empty net… contact made only for him to head against the only defender in sight and the ball was cleared off the line. Its not over there, Clem picks up the ball and runs forward, closed down he pulls back to Pat.. Now check the video out for this one. Pay screams one right across the keeper and smashes it in off the post. Goal of the game and not a bad return for Pat, 1 Assist and 1 Goal. Fair play.

(Insert Aron Video Clip)

The clock then runs down and Raiders run out victorious. 7-1. Huge result. Not enough is said to cover the effort put in by all tonight. Its not often that amateur teams can go through the game with as few errors with passes, defending and movement etc. But Raiders were solid, worked and communicated as a unit and can only hope to emulate this in future games.

Well done all around, two great debuts and no surprise that the hatrick winner and MOM goes to Demis the menace! Now time to relax, for those heading away enjoy the break and holiday. Those who are in the city enjoy bringing in the New Year in Saigon. We roll on.