This weeks match report starts as the Rockdale Raiders under 7/8 team received a much needed boost prior to kick off just before their round 6 clash with Connells point as star Striker Tevita was cleared to play by the Raiders’ medical staff after sustaining a school yard knee injury earlier in the week. Both sides came out with a willingness to move the ball and attack. Several chances were created by both teams and it was Connells point that opened the scoring in the 5th minute. At this point Navya was introduced to the game and this proved to be a master stroke as she won the ball in the middle of the field and gave a beautiful pass to Spencer who danced his way through the Connells point defence and calmly slotted the ball pass the keeper for a terrific goal. He has now scored an impressive 4 goals from the last 5 matches. The Raiders’ then took the lead for the first time in the match as they moved the ball impressively around the field stretching the Connells point defence. Rami found Tevita with a beautiful long ball as the striker made a well timed run pass the last defender and he slammed the ball into the top left hand corner of the net beating the keeper all ends up.
Connells point then controlled the possession and field position and gave Oscar a torrid time in the goals. But the Raiders’ keeper refused to be beaten despite his body taking a battering. Oscar courageously blocked a number of shots at close range putting his body on the line for his team. At one point Oscar collapsed on the ground after making yet another brave save when a powerful shot cannoned into his right leg. Raiders’ medical staff rushed to his aid and when he was asked if he needed to be substituted he simply replied “No way, I’ve got a job to do!” It was truly an inspirational performance. Oscar then saved another shot from a corner and started a counter attack finding Rory unmarked at the back. Rory dribbled the ball down field relieving the pressure off the Rockdale goal line.
The second half began in the same way the first half finished with Connells point on attack. This time their strikers found their range and they managed to crack the Raiders’ defence more than once. Rory now wearing the number 1 shirt then pulled off three great saves. From his goal kick to Oscar the Raiders’ started a magical counter attack as they went the length of the field with some wonderful touches. Rhys finally gave a deft little pass to Rami who put on some dazzling footwork to beat two defenders. He slammed the ball into the back of the net sending the Raiders’ fans in to joyous raptures. From that point the game really opened up. Alexander playing in the sweepers role made some great last line tackles stopping the Connells points attack on more than one occasion. Finally Connells point had a great chance on goal but Rory stopped the goal from being scored rushing out to the edge of the box he bravely dived at the feet of the Connells point attacker smothering the shot and clutching onto the ball. The Referee then called full-time.
Whilst the Raiders scored a couple less goals than their opposition some real positives can be taken out of the match. Spencer proved dangerous in the mid field making several great runs and serving his teammates up front well with some great passes. Rami was as lively as ever and had a number of good chances on goal that just went wide. Navya played the game of her career chasing down a number of opponents and creating some timely turnovers. Oscars’ first half performance in goals stopping shot after shot will surely go down in Raiders’ folk lore.
It was a great game played with wonderful spirit and the Raiders thanked their opponents for the match.
