Another week, another Jekyll and Hyde performance from the Forrest Hill Tornadoes who, after getting a thorough hiding in the first half of their encounter with bitter rivals Takapuna, came out in the second half to give the scoreline an air of respectability.
Mystic Rovers mid-week Facebook prediction of another triumphant reaction to more Facebook rumblings proved to be off the mark, as the Tornadoes again fell victim to the 2 things they try to avoid each week but are never successful – early corners and early goals.
This Boca side are a well established Div 1 team, with consistent top half finishes and a gazebo to die for, and Forrest Hill knew to expect a strong team performance with pace and strength coming on both flanks. And it was a sprint down the right wing that allowed Boca to apply early pressure from a corner that the Tornadoes didn’t want to concede. Boca have a strong aerial presence but as the cross was swung into the six yard box it was a filthy deflection of a Boca thigh that sent the ball goalwards with Choi unable to get across in time to clear off the line.
Boca continued to attack down the right hand side and found luck there for 2 of the 3 goals they added before the half time whistle went. It was a frustrating half for the Tornadoes, with plenty of space on offer through the middle of the park but wayward passing and a general lack of enthusiasm was the reason for a 4 goal deficit at half time.
Coach Ward had his angry face on and the players knew they were in for a kick up the ass at the interval, but tempers frayed early on in the team talk as players were denied a sip of plasticy goodness from the water bottles that lay agonisingly within reach. Gene Rollinson led the protests, with the team dummy spit the last thing on his mind, but in spite of this, the kick up the ass predictably ensued.
With their ears still ringing, a well hydrated Tornadoes came out for the second half with a renewed spring in their step. The passing was crisp and purposeful and they started to find space behind the Boca midfield. Manuel was full of running and finding little holes in the midfield that allowed the team to start linking up well.
Despite the improved football Boca once again found success down the flanks, and at 5-0 with 40 minutes still to play, Forrest Hill could easily have folded to another home defeat by 6 or more goals. But Boca gifted them a way back into the game when their larger than life defensive substitute sent a suicidal backpass screaming across the middle of the box where Choi jumped on the opportunity to finish nicely into the bottom corner. 5 minutes later it was 5-2, as a free kick on the edge of the box allowed Jermain to curl an effort round the wall and into the goal, despite Kadlec trying to prevent the quick free kick while writhing round on the floor.
At 5-2 with a good 25 minutes to play the Tornadoes were in with a vague chance of coming back but the final minutes remained goalless even though the quality of the football was arguably the best of the game. Another frustrating home performance from Forrest Hill but they’ll take renewed confidence into their next game after a strong second half performance.
Michal’s weekly rub down brought further gloating from player / physio Chris who informed Kadlec he’d scored his first goal for Boca. Kadlec is reported to have had a few minutes frustration before his happy ending allowed him to refocus on the must win game against Oratia at the weekend.
Player of the Day – Garth
Dick of the Day – Garth
Dummy Spit – Gene
