After much banter on the sidelines with our ex-teammate, the match started with cries from our huddle of "Poof is a ******". Not two minutes had passed when a mistrap saw one of their players streaking through from the halfway line. Yes, it was Poof with an instant chance to shut us up. Fortunately he was not composed and tried the quick shot from the top of the D which he hit straight at me. He wouldn't have a better chance all game. We on the other hand were a lot more clinical, and after some chances for Kimmie, Muppet and Max, and after they'd had a goal off the tiniest of deflections not given, we took the lead on a lovely bit of individual skill from Sasaki, who took a sideline hit, beat his man, got to the byline, kept going and delightfully lifted over the keeper into the side netting.
They weren't without chances but we kept them out, and with halftime approaching Max scored from a short corner (which I didn't see as I was facing the other way again!) making the half time team talk a rosy one, with much chat about how we'd need to work hard as we were only 11 as DJ was babysitting Zoe on the sidelines, and that we'd need to score 5 or 6 more to win?!?!?!? Fortunately, as we bellowed out "Max is a ******" in the huddle, in the background Lucky had just arrived and the sub was to provide more comfort in a confident second half performance which looked somewhat unlikely when they won a couple of early short corners, worked it back to the taker who scored with a well taken sweep that beat Pete and I. But overall we were once again solid at the back, and the movement and options up front were much better this week, Sasaki again got to the byline to pull back for Muppet to score a quickish reply. Thereafter, Kimmie nailed their keeper in the forearm where he has a tasty bruise and nearly scoring on the rebound. We forced about 10 consecutive shorties but failed to score. But from a long, Ringer rushed to get the loose ball, took it himself, quick pass to Max in the centre of the D and it was 4-1 and the big man had all but secured a win. A win which should have been 4-1 but for an aberration from yours truly, swiping air and missing a Chappie flick.
Overall a really good performance, Benno was excellent at left back, Raj marauded down the right and put in a another good display and is very much in the fold now. Ringer, Max and Sasaki did a great job of holding up Chappie and the bald guy as much as possible which really limited what they could do. All of which puts us on 6 points and feeling pretty positive as we move on to Khalsa.