MATCH REPORT VALLEY D VS. Aquila B

From the likelihood of a walkover all week thanks to intel from "La Résistance", Aquila managed to not just get 11 players but turned up with 15 to show intent on a hot Sunday morning for a 11:10am push back. Damage on the other hand decided to show with 11 and do without subs.

Usual clear instructions from coach Kelsey about the press, holding the ball and looking for the simple passes wide were met with 11 different interpretations as usual. All said, Damage being led on the day by Vulture (who seems to be getting younger each game), did keep our structure pretty much throughout the game which served us well as the game wore on. 1Q was pretty evenly matched with Damage slightly on top and a few good runs down both sides but nothing from it while Keeper Guy had a quiet 1Q.

2Q was much the same with Damage pushing much down the right and having the better of play. Still stalemate though until Cedric having realizing he had totally been played by Aquila during the week on the walkover made amends and out of nowhere, controlled a loose ball just outside the Center of the D, took it to his right and dribbled it into the D and released an Exocet missile that he really had no right to given the defenders hassling, and left a large dent on the backboard without the ball ever touching the ground throughout it flight. 1-0 to Damage and his first for Damage (Plenty more to come ……).

We continued to control the game and just before the end of the 1H, from very good positioning from the boys leaving their defender with little option but to try fire one out of the D, he misfired and Dangerous Dave hassled and stole the ball, bet the defender and pushed it into the D and thought, oh bugger, I have loads of time and just the keeper to beat so to be sure, he too decided to unleash this time a Tomahawk that never had time to rise (as it was so close to goal) and left another massive dent on the backboard to make it 2-0 Damage and end of the 1H. The shout of DDs relief of scoring is still echoing in the Valley I have reliably been informed (same guy that told Cedric of their imminent default).

Half time instruction from coach Kelsey was work on getting another goal and don’t concede. This time the team listened. The backline was solid throughout the 2H with fine marshalling from Captain Vulture who by the way was already sporting a mini mullet (at least ½ an inch) and a good lead on the beard that will be converted to a goatee on his return from Perth ahead of the next season.
Keeper Guy had a quieter game but was still called on several times as Aquila worked hard to try get back into the game. They did manage a number of Short corners but strong running from George and Guy (UK) pretty much nullified them all.

As the game wore on, the 11 Damage players (with no subs) soldiered on and actually looked stronger as the game wore on. On that point, all the midfield, forwards did A LOT of running throughout and always ran back to support – true Damage commitment! Vulture, I’m guessing wanting to end his season with a goal was in their half the pitch more and more as the game wore on and we had 3 chances to add to the tally on a series of shorts but sadly was not to be (he seems to hit them out the D better then into the D – a true defender).

Final score 2-0 and happy Damage we were.
Onwards and upwards. I’m now supposed to say training is on next Thursday but as I’m unavailable (again sadly), I have no idea if there is. Enjoy the week and lets do Damage again on Sunday. Fire Up

- written by Teenage W. -