Football is the greatest game on earth. Today for two teams Kenningwell and Vista FC was another spectacle worthy of doing that tag justice. Having played twice already this season this 3rd game was always due fireworks. Kenningwell won the 1st game 2-1 and Vista FC won the 2nd 5-2.Both teams are well aware of the powers each other possess so this game so this game was more of a chess battle. Vista FC were without our regular left back Jordan Taylor but were fortunate enough to have extremely disciplined defensive player Ciro Donadio replacing him. Kenningwell recalled some of their well renowned players for this game and their quality was evident.
The game started off quite impactful with Kenningwell having most of the attacks. Vista tried hard to nullify but Kenningwell kept us very well pressed in.
A 4-5-1 formation meant that striker Andrew Thompson was often alone to face a very powerful but also quick defense. Vista tried hard to find their way into the game but was often involved in midfield battles that meant that some of our more creative players were subdued. For Kenningwell Taurean Roberts created havoc on many attacks and perhaps should have scored but excellence from Steve Hanley in goal and lack of composed finishing meant that the game stayed at 0-0.
During a melee in the box Kenningwell were afforded an extremely soft penalty when Danny Bleach and an opposing player both lifted their feet to kick the ball and the Kenningwell player fell down. Steve Hanley saved Lucky for us the resulting spot kick. During this period of the game many chances were spurned and Vista somehow managed to hold on.
The second half started and continued exactly the same. There were many opportunities going to waste as well as Kenningwell more than often piling pressure on Vista’s defense. A back four of Ambrose Kamara, Terry, Mario Campbell and Ciro Donadio stayed resilient and thwarted opportunities in the box that to viewers looked like clear cut opportunities.
Vista continued to look for the out ball and it was often down to lack of quality most likely mixed with fatigue that didn’t allow us to finish the few half chances we had. Vista had made positive substitutions and knew that as the game was opening up we would get clearer opportunities. The game ended at 0-0 and this is where the magic began.
Substitutions of Dominic Weston and Victor Okisor entering the field offered pace and quality and that is exactly what we got. Within the opening minutes of the 1st half of extra time a Dominic Weston free kick travelling on target was headed past the diving George Kamarasi. We often speak of Dominic’s quality and once again he provided when needed. Victor Okisor is a player who has offered over a decade of service and provided the goal that we knew most likely ended the tie. A ball played down the line resulted in Victor in a tussle with Kenningwell’s veteran defender Junior Baker. Through good fortune Victor found his way through on goal and a neat slot inside the post meant that Vista were now 2-0 up and in control of the tie. This was most pleasing for Victor Okisor, as he had broken his leg against Kenningwell the previous year.
In the 2nd half of extra time Vista could have put the game beyond reach with opportunities for Victor Okisor. Siao Blackwood and also Andrew Dalhouse hitting the post with other possible options available. Kenningwell did manage to get a consolation goal through a bit of naivety from Vista but also great opportunity taking by Omari Hibbert but by then it was probably too little to late.
Vista will also face Kenningwell in the Presidents Charity Semi-final, which will be the fourth time the teams face, each other this year. We wish them the best of luck for the remainder of the season, just not against us.
M.O.M – Steve Hanley