A highly anticipated game and it was everything expected from two top teams and more. Kenningwell have started the season with great ferocity and blown away if not defeated all their opponents to the point where people have questioned the contractual obligations of their players. Vista have suffered due to the fact that many important players are currently injured or unavailable but we’ve made it aware to our players that excuses don’t win leagues and cups and we’ve had to find a way to gain results. After a possible disappointing start to the season we’ve found our path now and have managed to pick up 3 results in a row.
This was an important game for the league as a whole, as Kenningwell’s momentum had to be stopped and we had to narrow the gap to give us a chance of staying within the title challengers. The game started intensely and fortunately for us Kenningwell missed an early chance that could have changed the format of the game. Vista continued to battle through but Kenningwell were playing the better football but our counter attack is notoriously vicious and on around the 25th minute Vista broke via the wing, with Victor Okisor playing a dangerous ball across the box and Aaron Southard doing what he does best in slotting the ball home. Shortly after, Vista was unfortunate to lose both Victor Okisor to a hamstring injury and Mario Campbell to a groin injury to add to our ever-growing injury list. This changed the game massively as our pace was severely decreased and we had to reshuffle quickly.
After the goal Kenningwell once again dominated with direct intensity with very power runs from Taurean Roberts and great hold up play from Fronsoir Gabbidon but Vista defended valiantly despite having about 20% of the ball, against Kenningwell’s 80%. Steve Hanley in the Vista goal was immense with many reactive saves and as a team we did excellently to withhold the oncoming attacks. Despite Vista’s efforts to guard Kenningwell so well and Kenningwell also missing chances and having attacks cleared off the line it was probably frustrating that the goal they actually scored was a combination of fortune and deflections.
In comparison the second half was a lot more balanced. Adrian Browne was a stalwart in the midfield and despite being a man down in the midfield was always available and continued to battle and dominate the game while at his feet. The majority of the 2nd half was played in the middle of the park. Kenningwell had few opportunities of which they probably should have converted and Vista the same but neither team could find that little bit of quality to finish off the job.
On around the 75th minute Vista were awarded a penalty after some great deception work from Aaron Southard. Up stepped Siao Blackwood but the resulting penalty was saved. The final 10 minutes played out quite evenly and on reflection 1-1 was probably a fair result but both teams could feel disappointed that they couldn’t find the extra needed. A great game and we look forward to the reverse fixture!
Goals
Aaron Southard
Assist
Victor Okisor
M.O.M
Andrew Dalhouse