It’s been a pretty busy week in the OBDSFL. Cray have managed to defeat 2 x senior league giants including us and reach the finals. The OBDSFL also faced off against the CMSFL and managed to grab a 2-1 win which sets up a final game for the overall bragging rights after both taking a win each in successive games. With all the excitement it was easy to get caught up and after a successful win in the week with 4 x Vista players representing the club we knew today was back to business.
Vista knows we have the quality to win games of this nature but cup games are always a one off. With the right setup and or fight teams can produce massive shocks similar to the week before against Cray. Today was a back to basics game for us but Eden Park had their specific goals. Having won a trophy less than 2 seasons ago we were well aware of their qualities and this reflected in the opening 45 minutes. The first half was a stalemate performance. Both teams created half chances but no team were able to get the necessary clear-cut chances to go ahead. Most of the game was played within the midfield with both defenses doing clean up jobs and by half time it really wasn’t worth talking about.
A stern but disciplined halftime team talk was what was required and the second half started better. A re-formation by the front-line started to reap results. In the 1st half we had been close to getting through on goal but the second half we pushed deeper into Eden Parks half and the decision by Omari Hibbert to go on the wing started to reap results. Andrew Thompson moved from the wing to a forward position and then as soon as Dominic Weston entered the fray things started to happen. His simple but effective passing and close control shifted the power of the game, and his precision with 1,2’s and passes started to put pressure on their backline. Eden Park made an error via a backwards header which fell into Andrew Thompsons path and via a cushioned touch he gracefully lobbed the ball over the keepers head. The next 10 minutes were the dominance we required and while Adrian Browne and Siao Blackwood took the game by the reigns in the midfield the forwards did what top class forwards do.
Andrew Thompson provided some great footwork and then a ball deep at the back post to Omari Hibbert was volleyed in with great technique. Omari now has 7 goals and 4 assists and although he hasn’t hit his electric form of the past years in terms of effectiveness he is a constant threat. The final goal was quite messy but well deserved. After naming himself Gerd Muller throughout the week it was hilarious to see Aaron Southard spurn so many efforts throughout the game. On many occasions he came close but just couldn’t seem to hit the back of the net. Despite that he worked his socks off and did everything he could for the team attacking and defensively. He was rewarded when excellent wing play via Ashley Josephs ended up at his feet and with a loose control managed to blast the following effort home.
The result was definitely deserved but Eden Park made sure it was a competitive game, and probably wished a bit of fortune would have went their way. In the end an impressive win, which sets us up for the next 2 weeks in, must win games.
Goals
Andrew Thompson
Omari Hibbert
Aaron Southard
M.O.M
Adrian Browne