Goals: Simon D 2, Forlan, Steph, Randy, Cowley.
After our 10-1 demolition of BOCs at the same ground we were expecting a much sterner test in a team who had won 3 games in a row. We arrived at the ground to see Legal Head recruited a mix of school kids and certainly a different team all together.
The game kicked off with us being challenged to some degree however as the game went on you could see our experience and physical presence started to dominate. We were winning the balls throughout the park and with our slick team work we were keeping possession and putting Legal Head on the back foot for much of the half.
The first goal came from a nice through ball that split the Legal defence and Forlan who had way too much speed for their back line calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net to open our account. The second goal came from well worked move and Simon slotting the ball in the back of the net with a driving low shot. Our third was Simon again after a long ball he skillfully controlled the ball on the volley and then juggled it over the defenders head and with the goal at his mercy miss hit it. However the keeper totally missed it and went straight through his legs.
As the half drew to a close we had another moment of nice interplay in the middle of the park with Aidan and Steve G pulling the strings. Steph was released on the left and drilled a terrific shot past the keeper to put us 4 goals ahead at half time.
Half Time and little to talk about other than the fact we had totally out played our opposition. A few changes for the second half and we didn’t quite have the same cohesion. Thomas Ma pulled off an excellent save and for quite some time the score stayed as it was. Simon and Forlan who were both at their menacing best were given early showers for their outstanding play. We conceded a goal however after a glaring miss by Richie he finally scrambled a goal in after a few attempts by other players. What happened after that was one of the most bizarre goal celebrations I have ever seen. It looked like Paul Octopus scrambling along the dirt of the happy valley pitch, however it definitely had the right effect as the sideline went wild with applause.
The sixth goal came from our beloved Randy who turned up at half time and finally got his kit on. His 10 minute cameo saw him get hacked down in the box and take the resulting penalty which he scored but was asked to retake it. Randy once again stepped up and took the penalty and scored. I wish I could say he rocket the ball in the bottom corner to give the keeper no chance but I couldn’t tell as I was sipping a San Miguel on the sideline.
All in all another terrific performance. From the backline with Jan and Bertie solid as ever, Bertie receiving a nice shiner in the first half but played valiantly throughout. Scott making a return after a long layoff and played extremely well. While Thomas D looked his usual solid best making few mistakes. Midfield was brilliant Aidan and Steve G bossing the midfield while Jimmy Rose was excellent on the right and Steph was a different class on the left with some fantastic crosses. Up front both Simon and Forlan where working very well together and causing Legal all sorts of problems.
A few beers after the match and few more through the night. MOM went to Simon on popular vote and well deserved and equally Richie’s Mug of the Day taking the honors. Well played guys terrific stuff.
