Football is a game that divides opinions. Who is wrong or right is more than often never clear. Today we witnessed a game in the OBDSFL that neutral spectators would guarantee divided opinion. As a footballing spectacle Vista performed with sharp and crisp passing while nullifying many of Midways attacks only to be undone by two harmless opportunities. If you’ve witnessed Vista FC over the last few years you’ll be well aware that what happened today is nothing out of the ordinary.
The game started with Vista playing at a great tempo and trying to carve opportunities only to be met with fierce tackles and resilience from Midway.
Midway had won 3 out their opening 3 games defeating Hatcham twice and Kuzami strikers so we were well aware of what was at stake. The teams battled it out but Vista as an attacking threat was getting closer and closer. . Personally I feel that Midway were dealt with responsibly by our defense but Midways number 9 was clearly always going to be an attacking threat .He made many clever and decisive runs but unfortunately his team mates probably weren’t able to assist or join him high enough up the pitch. One long ball and a lapse of concentration from Vista FC allowed him through one on one and I’m quite shocked he didn’t score.
Final decisions and attacking opportunities falling to some of our unnatural goal scorers were the difference between Vista scoring and not so on 35 minutes when a chance finally fell to prolific finisher Andrew Thompson his cool chip over the goalkeeper was delightful and a deserved opener. The remaining 10 minutes were played out with the usual competitiveness and going in at 1-0 was probably unjust from Vista’s perspective but a credit to Midway as any goals conceded were going to have to be well earned.
The second half continued as the first left off. Vista continued to play some great football and search for opportunities while defending well. Vista pressed well in order to break up play and Midway weren’t far off with some questionable but also great tackles. The game began to open up and although Vista deserved to score were extremely fortunate when a knuckle shot from Ashley Sheppard appeared to be going out only to swerve in at the last second and put Vista 2-0 ahead.
With Vista 2-0 ahead the game should have been won but full credit to the Midway management.2 impact subs created a lot of havoc and on roughly 75 minutes a loose ball chased down by a Midway player of which should have been an easy to defend attack ended up in the back of the net after some great wing play. Unfortunately it was an own goal by a Vista player but the goal was caused by at least 3 phases of play and wrong decision-making. At 2-1 down Vista also made subs and without doubt should have capitalized after creating many in the box opportunities which just wouldn’t seem to go in.
With just a few minutes on the clock Midway played a great diagonal pass which their substitute took well in his stride before playing a great cutback for their striker to finish at the back post. Football can be cruel and this definitely was a cruel end to the game but as we know in the OBDSFL most teams aren’t going to give up until that final whistle and this was another occasion.
M.O.M – Ashley Sheppard