Raiders confirmed at the weekend their increasing competitiveness and somewhat hard-to-get-used-to word around town as one of the favourites for the league this year.

Considering the third place finish last year, the recent 2-0 and 5-1 victories against Olympique and the acquisition of some real quality to strengthen the side, I think a top three finish should be the aim. Beyond that, let’s see what happens (see my list of possible things that will stop us winning the league later).

To yesterday. Angelo was back, having spent a month in Greece resting his hairdryer (after it exploded at Roberti) and sunbathing in skimpy pants. Suitably tanned, and undoubtedly armed with enough strategy to impress Genghis Khan, he laid out the team and tactics in no uncertain terms.

The game started out on an even keel, but Raiders soon took advantage of some sloppy Saints defending to retrieve the ball in attacking areas and punish those mistakes, first Olly slipping in Nico who fired home and then Mike getting into the box and toe-poking past the oncoming keeper from an angle. 2-0 at half time. Second half saw Nico put us three up after just a couple of minutes with a screamer well outside the box, and not long after that he was in again after a delicious through-ball from Olly and a clinical finish to notch the hatrick. Disappointingly there was no forward roll.

With the game now won Raiders were relaxed and Saints came back into it to put us under pressure for a good twenty minutes. Although they weren’t doing much with the ball on the ground they are always a physical presence and a threat from set pieces. I’m struggling to recall how we gave away so many free kicks in that period, but the storm was still weathered and despite all the pressure there was only one save for Mirko to make which was an excellent one at that. There was nearly handbags but nothing major. Greenow was accused of terrorizing a young Saints striker but hey, if you wanna play with the big boys..etc etc, and to be fair that’s just what Greenow does…doesn’t matter if you are 17 or 47. Call me crazy, but it’s almost like he gets a kind of sadistic pleasure out of it. Awkward silence.Apparently he did get two yellow cards, but no red. Can someone confirm that? Owen, you’ve got some going to beat my record of three yellow cards in one game.

Here’s a solid exhibit of some Raiders pressure from the normally calm Tim Bishop.

Meanwhile, Craig was taking some for the team, and went close with a run and shot late in the game.

Solid performances all round from the lads with Sascha, Olly and Mike all in the hat for MOM but Saints couldn’t look past the hatrick, or looks, of Greeve. Later on at the social, Saints had some very kind words for us and said (earlier after the game) that we were now ‘the benchmark’ for them this season which was a tribute to all of us as Raiders. The post match social was excellent and we thank the Saint’s for their hospitality and efforts. The two teams continue to improve their relationship whilst maintaining a healthy competitiveness on the pitch.

List of things that could stop Raiders winning the league

• Angelo decides he’s had enough of Vietnam and takes three lucky ladies to live on a Greek island and peel grapes for him
• Olly and Mike lose a drunken bet and join Saints/Hotshots/Olympique
• Raiders beat all the expat teams but are sunk by consistent low-level corruption by the local teams, culminating with Greenow spearing a referee with a corner flag. Raiders are kicked out of the SIFL.
• The entire defense, midfield and attack get injured within the space of a week and Raiders field a team of backpackers and bootless Vietnamese dragged in off the sidewalk. They lose 16-1 to Gemadept.
• We’re not as good as we think we are, have a good start and then sink to a standard mid-table finish (a.k.a Liverpool)