This was a meeting between the leagues two best teams. Bickley were last seasons OBDSFL league winners by one point which they won in the final game and Vista were league runners up but also winners in both the Paul Picard and Presidents Charity Cup .The teams had faced 3 times in the season with Vista leading the wins with 2 vs. Bickley’s 1 but Bickley had arguably the more important win with a 2-0 victory at home at the business end of the season, considering the league came down to one point.
Both teams are fully aware of the abilities either teams possess and the game often feels like a game of chess with tactics or moments of brilliance often deciding the game. The game started with a real intent and it was no surprise that within 3 minutes Bickley had opened the scoring. A lost cause ball in behind the defense became a dangerous threat when Bickleys striker causing a miscommunication between Steve Hanley and Danny Doyle continually chased it down. With neither taking charge the ball rolled through for Bickley to slot into an empty net. Had that not happened I believe the game would have been taken a more cautious approach but that opened the floodgates. Vista struggled with Bickleys direct approach but Omari Hibbert rewarded their resilience when a break caught Bickley off guard and Andrew Dalhouse, who ran towards goal before crossing for Andrew Thompson, latched onto a great pass. The pass was deflected back into the goal confusing the goalkeeper before Dalhouse forced the defender into kicking it off him into the empty net.
With the score 1-1 both teams continued firing in this contest and a thwarted attack by Bickley followed a pitch length run by Bickleys Joey O Neil whom after passing to his winger, received the ball with space but struck the ball from 25 yards with his weaker foot beating the ongoing Steve Hanley. Vista weren’t willing to lie down and 10 minutes later Vista found their way back into the game with a similar lead up to the goal. Dalhouse met a pass down the line after curving his run and running towards goal. Faced with two defenders he cut inside before curling the ball into the top corner. A classic game in the first half and the second half was just as exciting.
#D9 via @FcVista pic.twitter.com/myHQDbBZrY
— Andrew Dalhouse (@AndrewDalhouse) September 4, 2017
The second half began extremely fast and both teams contested once again but although both teams came close no one was able to break free. This continued for about 20 minutes before Dominic Weston entered the field and proved his quality once again. Dominic calmly received the ball before cutting inside and driving his shot low and past the diving keeper whom had been excellent all game but unable to save this opportunity.
There must have been less than 12 minutes on the clock and Bickley threw the kitchen sink at Vista. Pressure bursts pipes and this is exactly what happened in this case. Bickleys onslaught forced Vista into defensive mistakes and within the final 10 minutes we gave away two penalties of which both were coolly slotted away by Joey O Neil to make his hat trick. Although there had been many surprises throughout the game this one opportunity had pushed the game that bit too far for Vista too make a substantial final push and Bickley finished the game winners of the Ted O Connor Charity Shield. This was a great game for the spectators and neutrals.
M.O.M – Andrew Dalhouse
Goals – Andrew Dalhouse x 2, Dominic Weston