Words were exchanged on Saturday after our game against Riversdale was called off after their pitches were in unplayable condition. I didn't take kindly to being called a 'Soft c**t' as I made my way to my car to leave. Further to this, we knew they didn't rate us as a team, and wanted to play and win only to sow up the first place in the league. It goes without saying it all left an unsatisfied taste in my mouth.
Last night was the rescheduled fixture at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex and we were all fired up to show them we weren't easy beats. It didn't start well when our coach couldn't make it due to an illness. We had to rely on our keeper and our captain to lead from the front and give us the structure we needed to win.
Things got worse... about 10 minutes in we were already 2-0 down after a well taken free-kick by Riversdale and a contentious appeal for offside was turned down and they slotted it past our keeper easily. The rest of the half was a bit of a blur with us being exposed numerous times through the middle of the park for easy through balls to be played. We all tried to have an impact but with the momentum in Riversdale favor they slotted another 3 past us. It looked bleak at half-time being down 5-0.
There was a massive sense of disappointment in the rooms at half time. Our keeper had been called up for the seniors so had to leave us so we were forced to put a backup keeper in place and adjust our structure again. As we made our way onto the pitch for the second half it was clear that with nothing to lose, we should continue to play our own game, have fun, and try and get something out of the game.
Within about 5 or 10 minutes after controlling most of the half our winger found space in the box and with a smart finish slotted it past their keeper. The momentum continued when our right back took an excellent header from a corner that the flat footed keeper watched sail into the net. By the time the third goal came around, an own goal that had the defender not have stumbled over, was heading for me with an open net to slot in, we all knew that an unlikely comeback was in our favor.
We had rattled them and the fourth goal summed up perfectly their panic with our relentless attacks. Their defender stepped over a bouncing ball in the box and it brushed his hand. A penalty was called and our striker slotted it calmly past the keeper. Rushing to get the ball back to the center for the remaining 10 minutes we had to capitalise on their panic and lack of run. It all paid off after a solo run from our striker to get into a good position and hammer it home from a tight angle. It was a great goal to equalize the scores and there was plenty of emotion in all of it.
With only a few minutes left we held on despite them returning to a very attacking structure and could have snatched a win on a few occasions. But a 5-5 result was fair and left us all feeling as if justice was done for their obvious contempt for us. As the whistle blew it felt like a victory for us and a loss for them.
It's been the highlight of the season, of that there is no doubt. With one game left and such momentum behind us I'm hoping theres enough chances on Saturday for me to get my goal.
