Match Report – Raiders VS Saints – The Saigon Ashes

Saints ride their luck once again – but it’s going to run out sometime!

Well the time for talking was finally over. After one postponement due to pitch requirements the game finally took place, and what a game it was.

Both teams were more than fired up for this one and Raiders had more than 7 cut from those who signed up to give us a strong squad going into the game. The raiders arrived with a strong squad a bar and a new kit and the trophy which was hopefully going to be joining us on the return trip.
Speeches were inspiring, especially from Schreiber who for once showed he doesn’t make it up in his head as he goes along by actually having some notes, but not really needed, everyone knew the importance of the game and all that was left was to go out and win it. So after the pre match photos there was nothing to do but get on with the game.

Nerves took hold in the opening exchanges as Saints took a foothold in the game and pressing for an early opener. However neither team was looking like scoring. But it was Saints who made the breakthrough. A defensive mix up allowed the saints to cut through and score from just inside the area despite the desperate dive of Moras the ball just sneaked inside the post to make it 1-0 saints.

Not the start that we had been looking for but slowly the Raiders started to get a foothold in the game and were starting to press more. The game flowed back and forth and the Saints keeper was forced into a couple of saves as Raiders pressed for the equalizer. Potter was controlling the midfield practically on his own and with Johnston and Schreiber causing problems for the Saints defence surely it was only a matter of time before the equalizer came. Then the unthinkable happened.

Another lapse by the Raiders allowed the Saints to bring the ball from their own half, past the midfield and even the defence before slotting home the second to make it 2-0 to the Saints. It would be an uphill battle to take anything from the game but Raiders were not going to stop.

Roche instructed Hepburn to swap positions with Schreiber and joined Johnston in attack and the change produced the desired effect shortly after. Potter once again won the ball in midfield after Saints made a mess of clearing and passed to Tabor who found Hepburn’s feet and ran on to pick up the flick on, placed a through ball to Johnston who outpaced his defender to slot the ball home from 12 yards from the tightest of angles. 2-1 Saints but it was Raiders who were on the ascendency, sadly half time came to early to capitalize.
So half time came and there was nothing to say that we didn’t already know – the game was there for the taking if we could press harder. 2-1 down but with everything to play for and a Saints team on the back foot.

10 minutes gone in the second half and disaster struck again for the Raiders. As Raiders looked to build from the back, the defence were looking for short passes to midfield but with nothing open decided to pass back to the keeper to clear long. The pass was however woefully short and Moras barely connected with the ball which deflected off the incoming Saints striker and into the back of the net. 3-1 Saints but the game was far from lost and much more drama to unfold. And it was to be one of the debutants who was to make his mark in remarkable fashion. Bergan (signed over the close season) picked the ball up just inside his own half, beat the opposing midfielder and unleashed an unstoppable effort form 35 yards which beat the despairing keeper and rifled into the top corner. A contender for goal of the season. 3-2 Saints.
As the second half progressed the tackles were flying in hard and fast as players from both sides were picking up bookings. Some badly timed tackles were coming in and tempers (as would be expected in this type of game) were starting to flare. No more so did this become evident when Andersen was scythed down by a Saint after the whistle had gone. This provoked an angry reaction and a kick which resulted in the teams scuffling on the pitch including some players who were not even playing at the time. The referee to his credit, given the size of him in relation to the teams quickly calmed the situation. Andersen was booked for his troubles but the Saints player was dismissed. So with Saints reduced to 10 men the Raiders threw everything at them in a desperate bid to find an equalizer and the game was opening up in their favour. Tabor, who was doing the running from midfield was being fouled on a regular basis and it was enough for the referee when he was finally brought down just outside the box and another Saints player was dismissed. Down to nine men with 5 to go surely raiders could find an equalizer. Tabor had a shot saved, as did Johnston, Bergan and Vorisech. A flowing move looked to have finally given the Raiders and equalizer as a move started by Andersen went thorugh 5 players (and through saints like a knife through butter) to find Bergan with a chance from 5 yards out which he put just the wrong side of the post with his weaker foot. Had the chance gone, it seemed not as there were two more to follow. Colebrissi floated in a good free kick which was nodded on to Johnston, who went out wide to the right and swung in low cross for Hepburn to meet which was somehow saved by the keeper. Kotez followed up with the rebound but the keeper saved again.
The remaining minutes were ground out as Saints looked to waste what little time was left and despite pressing hard raiders could not find an equalizer.

Full Time Raiders 2 Saints 3.

So the first ashes game went to Saints but the better team lost. As Coach Roche stated “they did not win the game today – we lost it” but once again a bitter pill to swallow in a game we should have won. The pill was even more bitter returning to the bar to be greeted by saints songs and Conga lines round the bar with the trophy they barely deserved to be carrying.
But well done to all who took part from the players to the subs to the supporters to the photographers. It was a good day out and the only thing that would have made it better was a victory. We play them again in 2 weeks in the league and this time we are coming home with the win. As I said before – their luck has to run out some time.
Special Praise to the following:
Moras, Burl, McDonnell, Vorsiche, Schreiber, Laumann, Colebrissi, Tabor, Potter, Bergan, Andersen, Kotez, Johnston, Brochard, Andrist and Vu. Everyone gave 110% and should be proud of their performance.