Midway FC (Final)
This was a final that all spectators supporting both of the sides on display classed as excellent. Having faced each other twice this season it was most certainly a battle of wits leading up to this game. To give an insight to the previous results The 1st game finished 2-2 with Midway coming back from 2-0 down to score a late equalizer. The 2nd match was well contested with Vista winning 5-2 and the score maybe being flattering but in the end well earned.
Having won a final 2 weeks previous it was important that we as a club wiped clean the slate and didn’t bring any complacency due to previous results into our mind state and/or believed the game was already won.
If we’re honest Midway started the game at a much better pace and despite coming into the game off the back of great results we started nervously. Midway pressured with long diagonal balls and if not for great defending and a few bad decisions they would have scored extremely early in the game. Vista couldn’t get a hold on the game and were punished about 20 minutes when a ball fell to the edge of the box and was volleyed low and hard into the corner by Midway’s winger. This was perhaps the wake up call we needed as we slowly got into the game and started to get some joy. Our frontline wasn’t as fluid as per usual and our important players weren’t as influential but there were at times positive things happening throughout the game.
Ashley Sheppard who has been influential this season across the board picked up an eye injury, which resulted in Andrew Dalhouse replacing him and our team reshaping. Although still 1-0 downs, the game balance finally changed and Dominic Weston, Siao Blackwood and Jordan Greaves began to get some joy. We went in 1-0 down but were finally in the game.
The second half was what you would consider downhill in relation to the pitch and Vista instantly went on the attack. Jordan Greaves balance of attack and defense was a main source for Vista and he was rewarded when his driving run evaded the defense and with his left foot struck across the keeper equaling the score.
They say when you score your most vulnerable and it must be true because shortly after Vista equalizing Midway scored another with Stefan Wright causing havoc down the right wing before cutting the ball back for a tap in. With Vista now 2-1 our courage was tested and if there’s one player who has that in abundance it’s Danny Doyle. Vista were awarded a corner and Danny Doyle rose in the air to head goal wards which was saved but with a box full of players Danny Doyle also was the quickest to react firing the ball high into the net with his left foot.
With possibly 1 minute on the clock Vista perhaps should have won the game with a last attack but after 90 minutes the game finished 2-2.
Extra time was a cagey experience with both teams pushing for goals but also defending extremely well with concentration levels at max.
Once again Vista had a last minute attempt but on the basis of the game 2-2 probably was a fair result and it was down to penalties.
At this point I could explain the penalties but it’s best I leave it to the visuals. Watch the video below to see the penalty shootout and how the game panned out!
M.O.M – Jordan Greaves