Early Morning Wake Up Call!

You cannot blame the lads for feeling confident of doing well ahead of the SIFL Cup given the developments within pre-season. A more focused and organised training regime under new coach Colin and the added quality of a group of new Raiders having signed, left many Raiders player expecting to pick up some silverware over the weekend. However, as warned by Colin, Raiders cannot expect anything from this season as it will well and truly have to be earned through hard work on and off the pitch. If Saturdays SIFL cup is anything to go by, yes Raiders have improved their team, but so have many of the other SIFL clubs and not one of them will roll over and give us even a point this year.

So the tournament itself. Raiders white were fortunate to be gifted with an excellent squad for the competition. Having Mirko in goal was a relief to everyone when the squad was emailed out prior to the competition. Excited to get underway in the first game and to explore the 2-2-2 formation, Raiders White were set to play the Fighting Cocks only for the opposition to end up having to forfeit the game 3-0, only 4 of them were present at kick off. The lads certainly didn’t expect this to be their biggest victory of the day, nor did they expect it to be just their second of two games they would pick up two points! Thankfully it did allow Raiders 10 minutes to warm up and adapt their shape to a 2-3-1 formation.

In the second game of the day Raiders White set up against Nam An. The lads knew this would be a tough game, not only are all of the local teams used to the heat out here, they also play football well suited to 7 aside and have the fitness levels to match. Nam An taught the Whites a lesson this game. The opposition kept their shape and all worked hard behind the ball pressing Raiders when they entered their half and breaking ruthlessly. In a cagey first 5 minutes Raiders should have had a penalty when Hoggy was brought down in the box, the referee waved away the shouts and after a performance worthy of a drama stage school from the Nam An centre back resulted in a booking for Hoggy. Nam An then hit Raiders on the break and following a great save down to his right from Mirko the Nam An striker was quickest to the rebound and thumped home their first goal. It wasn’t long before Raiders were caught out again, pressing forward they were disposed when Jamie’s misplaced pass was intercepted and a quick one two from their forwards let the opposition in one on one with Mirko who has no chance from the finish. To finish the game off Nam An then broke again and with one defender pushed forward it was a 3 Vs 1 attack that killed Raiders off, once again Mirko saved only for the rebound to fall straight to Nam An’s player who applied the finish. Lesson for Raiders… keep their shape at the back and recover quicker whilst Hoggy and Ben needed to protect the ball more up top.

It was obvious that although the Whites were fortunate to have many talented players, it was going to take time for them to adapt into 7 aside and gel together. Sipho worked tirelessly all day working hard to create chances, Pete, Jamie and Daniel Vo rotated at the back with Mick working between both midfield and defence doing their best to keep the opposition out. Andy continued with his goalscoring form in midfield whilst Luke looked to continue his. Hoggy and Ben made up the strikers for the team.

Going into the third game Raiders faces Sporting 2. The team started well and controlled this game throughout. Probably the weakest side the Raiders faced all day but it was pleasing to see some nice link up play in this game. Goals coming from Sipho and Andy as the opposition was brushed aside. As in any game the opposition did have a small period of play when they tried to get back into the game but Raiders were never really troubled at the back and were able to see out the game well.

Game 4 and the heat was now starting to take effect. Sipho was happy to share that the sun didn’t affect him. Great. It certainly had an effect on many others as Hoggy and Coach Colin’s head were frying nicely. The heat also was starting to impact on the intensity of the games. Raiders played Saints and dominated the game having many chances to see the opposition off. Sipho, Hoggy, Andy and Mick all troubled the keeper early on but it was Hoggy who got the breakthrough goal. Turning on the half way line after Sipho played the ball out from the back, he drove past the oncoming defender and smashed a shot hard and low into the corner of the goal. The lead didn’t last long however. Mick raced out to close a ball in the midfield only for the Saints to play a one two around him, the ball broke on the left and Saints levelled. As the game continued Raiders continued to pepper the Saints but just couldn’t get the breakthrough, Luke having the last chance when he was unlucky not to hit the target with the last shot of the game. Perhaps already worrying about how to celebrate if he scored for the second week in a row! 1-1 the final score.

The final game in the group was against last years SIFL winners. Sea Collection. Once again, a Vietnamese side who clearly were accustomed to this style of football. A tough game which at one point could have gone either way. Raiders fell behind 2-0 early on only to fight back to 2-1, Hoggy pulled back and Mick smashed home from close range. Then 2-2 when Andy levelled after a back heel to play him in. With the game in the balance the referee then ordered a penalty. Danny Vo was trying out his high kicks at the back when Raiders failed to clear from a cross. The penalty was calmly drove home and Sea Collection then went on to keep the ball for the remainder of the game and even stole another goal late on to finish it off 4-2. Frustrating for the lads who worked hard and could have easily got more form the game had they got that all important third goal.

The result of this game saw Raiders enter the Plate cup quarter finals. Disappointed at missing out in the plate the lads were hopeful of getting through to the final, they just had to beat Sporting 1. It wasn’t to be though as they came out 2-1 losers. Sporting dispatched their two goals well, one perhaps a gift… but it was enough for them to progress through as Raiders couldn’t get the equaliser. Pete did lift a lovely pass forwards and Hoggy held of the defender to square for Andy to score another goal and end up the top scorer of the weekend. Andy also rattled the crossbar and Ben, Sipho and Mick all had efforts but it wasn’t meant to be.

A sorry set of lads left the pitch knowing they could have done better, but needing more time to gel as a 7s outfit. Although the weekend may not have brought success it certainly will have been a good fitness test. All lads still needing to get some extra minutes in off the pitch and all keen to push on and get stuck into the season next weekend. Well done to all involved, up the Raiders. We go again!