With the opportunity of a clean sweep of trophies on the horizon it was important that Vista didn’t go into this game thinking we’d already won. Complacency can destroy even the most successful teams and as a management team it was important we got this one right. Vista made changes to the squad with several big names rested and/or given opportunity to other squad players to put themselves in the hat with the business end of the season well in motion.
Within the opening 15 minutes Orpington were the more dominant of the sides and if not for some amazing saves from Steve Hanley we could have been 3-0 down and out of the tie. Defensively as a squad we had no stability as every attack seemed to breach. After his valiant saves it was very unfortunate that 20 minutes into the game Steve Hanley was the one to give Orpington the break. While attempting to catch the ball and distribute a pass he loosely handled accidentally dropping the ball into his own net. On the basis of our form Vista probably didn’t take the threat very serious believing that we would overturn the deficit but for the remainder 20 minutes opportunities were limited.
At half time we made four changes bringing on some vastly experienced players and within 5 minutes the change in momentum was obvious. Had Danny Bleach taken his opportunity to head into a largely open net Vista would have equalized? Andrew Thompson originally on the bench began to link up play extremely well and Thompson accurately picked out Siao Blackwood’s 3rd man run, he finished expertly past a very good goalkeeper. Vista continued to threaten and our dominance was finally beginning to shine through. No less than 5 minutes later another 3rd man runs from Siao Blackwood was this time spotted by assist king Ashley Sheppard. Blackwood faced up the keeper before slotting to the side of him and turning the tie around.
With momentum on our side now and Orpington starting to show cracks Vista piled on the pressure twice releasing Andrew Thompson who finishes as if he was born in the goal area. Two great finishes later and the tie was most likely beyond the reach of Orpington with Vista controlling the nature of the play.
Orpington did manage to get one goal back with sloppy play from Vista FC but they were to be forgiven having played so well in the second 45 minutes.
The final result meant Vista had reached another final to accompany the Paul Picard Cup final as well as setting us up well for a historic treble. Vista is under no illusions that the hardest part of the season is to come but up until now the character shown has been impressive and we hope to continue this form.
M.O.M – Siao Blackwood