01/11/09
East Christchurch SSC – 5
Chaseside Wanderers – 2
Playing the current cup and premier league champions was always going to be a difficult game for anyone so Chaseside went into the game with nothing to lose.
The game started off with Chaseside playing into the gale force wind and driving rain which reduced visibility and caused the ball to skid all over the place. After some early Chaseside pressure Danny was sent through and found himself one on one with the keeper, however unlike last week he blasted the ball straight at the keeper and the rebound went wide and off for a goal kick. The ECSSC keepers kicking was causing problems with the wind and after a long boot forward the striker bought the ball down superbly and played the ball off Ludo for a corner. From this Chaseside found themselves 1-0 down and nothing could be done about the header which was brilliantly dispatched into the top corner. ECSSC class started to show through at this point and decided to play a game of keep ball for about 5 minutes. In this period a few more chances were created and just went wide of Steve’s goal. Chaseside found it difficult to get out their own half but were still playing some nice football when the ball was down on the floor. After a few words from the two managers Chaseside started to press the opposition and decided not to allow them any time on the ball. This appeared to work and they started to make mistakes which resulted in the equaliser. Danny chased a lost cause and the defender decided to pass the ball back too far to the keepers left and it went straight into the bottom corner of the net. At 1-1 and the ECSSC players arguing between themselves Chaseside were playing probably some of the best football so far this season and started to pose a big threat for the team 7 divisions above. Just before half time the right back once again under pressure turned and played a weak pass back which was intercepted by Steve Crozier and on his debut for the first team smartly lobbed the keeper from 25 yards. (Game on!).
At half time Chaseside talked about having a few more shots at goal especially with the strong wind and skiddy surface on their side and just as the second half started the sun came out, rain stopped and the wind died down! ECSSC then showed why they were the cup and league champions and started to dominate first and second balls and Chaseside found themselves chasing shadows. Despite all the pressure, the defending was top notch but ECSSC were the much fitter team and relentlessly bombarded the goal. They were rewarded around the hour mark when a cross was headed into the bottom corner from 6 yards to make it 2-2. Chaseside could not hold onto the ball and with the team tiring found themselves 4 – 2 down in a 10 minute period both from well placed crosses. Steve then made a fantastic reflex save after a powerful shot was deflected off Ludo and soon after made another low save down low to the left. He could however do nothing about the 5th and final goal of the game which was powerfully put into the opposite corner. The refs whistle went and the game was ended.
A respectable fight from Chaseside Wanderers who arguably were the better team for 30 minutes, but in the end were outplayed by a very good footballing side. The triple is out the window for this season but the double is still on! Back to the league next week and a big game against the current league leaders LVFC.
Up The Squirrels!!
