Probably our most faced team this season. We faced them twice in the summer league, twice in the league and once in the Presidents Charity cup final. With two cups under our belt and a chance of league glory we knew we couldn’t allow a slip up. After such a demanding season asking the players to win games at this stage of the season after already possessing two trophies was more about mentality.
After the efforts of a warm up in what we’d consider a come down game after 2-cup final highs Vista looked really sluggish in the opening minutes. Due to not being able to play at HSBC at this time of the season we opted to finish our games at Eltham Goals and the quality of the pitch seemed to slow our play. Small bobbles and uneven grass stopped us from moving the ball at speed and with a hint of complacency we were punished for not taking chances and possibly hoping or expecting a light tempo game.
Elmstead were in no mood to lie down and although they got the opener we quickly gathered an equalizer via Siao Blackwood. A pass across the box was dragged in via his left foot but all goals count and an instant response was possibly the best reaction.
Ashley Josephs started at right back this game in place of Mario Campbell and everything he did seemed to come off. Attacking wise he offered an outlet and his switch of play worked well for the team based on the conditions. His momentum benefitted the team and at a time in the game where we missed a few opportunities he scored a bullet header from a corner that put us in the lead for the 1st time.
The 1st half played out quite smooth but the 2nd half from our perspective was an extremely fortunate win. With our confidence restored and the benefit of shooting at what was the better side of the pitch Vista went on a rampage. Attack after attack violently for 15/20 minutes but I can’t comprehend how we didn’t score. In the space of that time there must have been 15 attacks of which 5/6 were clean cut opportunities but no one could score. Eventually after that torrid period we were able to bundle the ball over the line through Andrew Thompson but frustrations had grown.
Martyn Onuhua had entered the field and with his youth and lack of fear became a real threat to the Elm stead defense. Runs, dribbles, cross field passes; you name it, he was doing it while oozing class. It was truly a blessing to see Martyn in this mode as this season he has fallen foul to not being able to solidify a place with so many players performing at optimum level. Perhaps his best feature was a run through the heart of Elmsteads defense while using stopover’s and fast trickery to avoid being tackled but then being fouled in the box.
Due to his excellence Vista decided to award him the penalty while our penalty taker was on the pitch. Sentiment played a part in this action and it was that same sentiment which could have led to our downfall. Unfortunately Martyn missed the penalty and shortly after Elmstead scored making it 3-2.
At 3-2 with Vista not in kill-mode and missing so many available chances we were due to be punished but the footballing Gods were looking down on us this day. With no less than 30 seconds on the clock Elmstead broke through one on one in what you’d identify as an easy chance. Our defenses were in no-mans land and our goalkeeper was near the edge of his area. Fortunately the attacker put the ball wide and we lived to see another day but we should have been out of site more than 45 minutes earlier.
The game finished 3-2 leading us on to a final game with Hatcham the following week.
M.O.M – Ashley Josephs