Southgate County 5 - 2 Old Aloysians

Southgate County 5 - 2 Old Aloysians
(Barbosa 2, Seedat Z, O'Leary, Hindmarsh)

A recent run of results not reflective of they way we've played led to Damo and big JB needing a break in the hope it would break the cycle. A nice sunny day and a few cry off's left Ryan Kerby a few unfamiliar names to pick from to start the game against an opposition he'd not played before. Team selected and not one goal keeper to choose from but two! Coin tossed and won, changed ends to see if the sun might play a part in the game, they kicked off and we started brightly.

A few pre-game boasts of goals from one or two was proven when within the first minute Daniel H closed down a centre back, putting the pressure on and winning the ball. Through on goal, one on one he converted, 1-0. A positive start and confidence rising, we continued to play football the way we can with all players getting a foot on the ball. We had very quick wide men and we knew we had to exploit that. With the ball sprayed wide Daniel B cut in from the left and punished the keeper. Finally some much deserved goals for us. We continued to press as we could sense more goals to be had. With some great work being done by the centre midfielders they stopped the opposition playing and won us possession time and time again. Zain Seedat was playing like a man possessed. Strong, confident and linking up nicely with brother Deeno, and where possible spraying it wide to Mason and Daniel B on the wings. Wave after wave we came at them and a corner was won. Not for the first time Daniel B whipped in a wicked ball that was just right for two County players both ready to head it, O'Leary got there just inches in front of Kerby and the ball changed direction and was goal bound. A very slight deflection didn't change its course by much and we were off celebrating being 3-0 up. Yes I repeat that...Declan O'Leary scored. They kicked off and we played on, but this time a small mistake left us exposed slightly. With their very own Lukaku up front, he hadn't done much to cause Dorian and Ryan any trouble until now. 3-1. With half time looming, we began to press again and another corner won. Another fantastic delivery by Daniel B from the left, this time a little shorter, it wasn't the head of the taller players that it was met by but the right foot of a young man who was having his best game for County. Zain just inside the box, caught the ball sweetly right footed on the volley, the keeper never stood a chance. 4-1. Half time, a few words from Ryan and there was only a few as there wasn't really anything to say but more of the same.

They made a change we held of for a short time and the game stalled a little. The defence was playing well and we continued to distribute the ball wide. Another lapse in concentration and possession given away a little too easily they seized the opportunity and slotted home past Robbie who got a hand to it but it wasn't enough. 4-2. A question being asked of our mental strength now and will this be the start of us giving up a well earned lead? Zain gave way to Vahid who came on and fitted in nicely. Calm on the ball and played football with the others. We played through them, round them and over them. They didn't know where it was coming from next, until Daniel B picked up the ball just in their half and did what all defenders hate. He ran at them with pace, a one two and he was now cutting across the area 5 yards out. Options left and right, he choose neither. He wasn't closed down and he knew exactly what he was going to do. A right footed drive with the ball moving away from centre to the right. The keeper made an attempt to dive and save it, but he was never going to get there. 5-2. With the sun fading fast as the ref was late and kick off delayed, we began to get pulled into a scrappy last 15 minutes with free kicks being given to them. Some deserved and some definitely not. It didn't matter. We closed the game out and chalked up a great victory which has been a long time coming. I hope this is the tide turning and the start of a good run. Well done guys. Some really good performances by Mason, Daniel Barbosa, Declan, Dorian, Deeno and both Ryan's but man of the match has to go to a young man who has now shown his real potential. Zain Seedat, take a bow son.