Hatcham are one of our league rivals and via direct technical ability possibly the best team in the league, but they know what a game with Vista entails. In terms of similarity to professional football this game is the Madrid derby, with Hatcham being Real Madrid and Vista Athletico. The opponents only fuel our high pressing and combative nature. We are acutely aware what happens if you give them time or respect and that’s why we started this game at 100mph.This was the perfect decision as within the first 5 minutes great hold up play and decisions by Aaron Dalhouse and Siao Blackwood worked the ball to Aaron Southard who does what he usually does and put the ball into the back of the net. This settled our nerves and from then on it really was a flawless performance in all aspects. Hatcham have some outstanding individuals but none of them could seem to win their individual battles and Vista pursued.
A battle down our left side between speed demons Hatcham winger Stefan Cox and Jordan Brooks continued throughout and it was the Vista winger who came out the winner. After dispossessing Hatcham he played a ball into Siao Blackwood and continued his run into the depths of the Hatcham defense. Receiving it back and running through he was faced 1 on 1 with their keeper but this time he came out the winner. A possible fortunate deflection fell back to him and with desire to grab his first goal in what he described as 2 years he blasted it emphatically into the net.2-0 at half time is a great score but you can never be certain which Hatcham team and level of performance will return in the 2nd half so we made sure that the team talk was based on mental focus and retaining the intensity level.
Thankfully for us the second half started no different and the 3rd goal was possibly the best for many reasons; including the fact that it not only sealed the game, but our star striker Andrew Thompson had been going through a very unlikely goal drought and lack of confidence but to see his finish with such style on his weaker foot bought the whole team together for a celebration. After everything he has provided us over the years in terms of goals and performances as a lone striker everyone was happy to see him bounce back.
At this point Hatcham really were mentally defeated and Vista continued to compete for every ball all over the pitch .Our new signing Ben Cheklit who had been awesome throughout decided to introduce himself with a finish worthy of Ronaldinho by bending it into the top corner way beyond the outstretching hands of the Hatcham keeper. At this point it felt like we were mocking as everything we touched turned to gold and despite Hatcham having so many amazing players individually, as a team they just couldn’t create any clear opportunities.
Andrew Thompson managed to get one more before another striker in Carlton Murray Price who had struggled to provide what we know he could provide sealed and delivered this quality win. Carlton as well as Aaron Dalhouse are ex Hatcham players so this game provided that little bit of extra spark for them and Carlton managed to grab his first for the season. All in all there were so many amazing performances and with our next match being Cray FC in the cup Vista needed a performance of this magnitude.
Goalscorers
Aaron Southard
Jordan Brooks
Andrew Thompson
Ben Cheklit
Andrew Thompson
Carlton Murray Price
M.O.M
Jordan Brooks