Year after year FC Bickley push everyone to reach the highest level of performance. At the start of the season Vista had our mind set on Bickley losing max 1 or 2 games knowing that in order to compete we’d have to turn games against our competitors into wins and/or draws. Fortunately we were able to go on a winning run by the time we met Bickley in the cup, but what happened that game really elevated us into a team with belief and one who were now aware of our capabilities.3-0 down mid-way into the first half Vista could have caved but the resilience from the lads to overturn that deficit and win 5-3 indicated what we set out to achieve.10/15 games later and we now were faced with 2 cup finals and a game against our closest rivals this season.
For 20 of the opening minutes the game was pretty even. Both teams contested well and it wasn’t’ evident who would get the first goal. At certain parts in the game the play became a bit edgy and Vista players were making unusual errors in and around the box. The game required a bit of composure and once again two of our most influential players this season were able to give Vista that. Siao Blackwood probably for the 2000th time this season broke through the middle before releasing Andrew Thompson. Thompson probably in the most unnatural position for a striker attacking from the right composed himself before sitting the keeper down and shooting high over him. The keeper managed to get a hand but the ball still found its way into the net.
For the next 10 minutes Vista totally dominated and it looked like we were heading towards a comfortable victory but while speaking to one of our players on the sideline and indicating that ‘Bickley are the team to score out of nowhere, and we should not write off’ they did just that. Bickley’s striker created another defense splitting run causing our defense to switch markers before he isolated Ambrose Kamara before passing the ball across the goal for a tap-in. Half time came but we had nothing to panic with as we’d played well.
The second half started with Vista attacking continuously, and the game playing out well the most unfortunate incident happened. Danny Bleach one-on-one with the goalkeeper and with a defender chasing stalled his shot. This slight pause allowed the defender a second of belief and with this he took the opportunity to win the ball back, but the tackle took Bleachy’s standing leg sadly breaking it and damaging his ligaments. EVERYONE AT VISTA WISH ‘Bleachy’ A QUICK RECOVERY. With Danny Bleach on the floor and the referee and linesman making a decision not to move him an ambulance was called. Both teams took the decision to continue the match on the opposite pitch and the game was continued.
The other pitch suited Bickley more and they played a very compact and dynamic game with many aerial attacks. Full praise has to go to the Vista defense as they stood firm and defended attack after attack allowing us to re-analyze. A last ditch tackle from Jordan Taylor while full of rage indicated the die-hard attitude we have shown many times this season. As per many games this season the squad unity and decision to make changes played an important part. Ohran Stewart, Ciro Donadio and Andrew Dalhouse were introduced to the fold. Instantly the game changed, and Vista started to control the tempo. Ciro’s positional sense and battle unsettled their attacks while Ohran’s ball control and correct decisions while passing created havoc at the back. The midfield of Siao Blackwood and Adrian Browne once again were able to get on the ball and even though the pitch was smaller we were able to get back to footballing ways. The attack of Andrew Dalhouse, Andrew Thompson, Siao Blackwood and Ohran Stewart began to prove fruitful and we were rewarded once a fluent attack ended with Ohran coming inside his marker and shooting which was saved and fell to Thompson who finished cooly.2-1 up and with 10 minutes left on the clock most teams would settle but not Vista. We continued to attack and unsettle the Bickley defense and when a ball was bought down on the chest of Dalhouse Siao Blackwood made a very decisive run which distracted the Bickley defense. Dalhouse saw the run but opted to go the opposite way playing in Ohran Stewart who did what the ‘Wizard of Oz does. Before putting the ball in the back of the net Ohran took on two defenders both within the 6-yard box with maximum precision. The game was over but not without a well hard fought battle against an awesome team.
Vista still has to face Bickley once more in the league and we look forward to that battle.
M.O.M – Mario Campbell