We have had to wait a little while for this sort of performance this time around ,but no one ever doubted that this team could not deliver some special moments like you did today. Isaac in goal found his best form of the season with perfect handling all game and some brave saves.Owen gave probably his best ever showing in a Royals or vipers jersey almost nothing was getting down his flank today and he consistantly offered his support to help out the midfield.Joe on the opposite side of defence was just as immense and even got up to put quality balls into the Carterton penalty area. Jake C slotted in alongside Ned to form an impregnable barrier and the two were always there to back one another up. Ned swept up all the danger that our visitors could throw at us and was on hand to hack from our goal line when Isaac was eventually beaten. It was a m.o.m effort from Ned which in turn inspired a magnificent game from every single one of you. Harlie put in huge strides in the opening half getting both forward and back and although he was withdrawn at the break it had nothing to do with his game and was purely tactical. Keiron , relieved of his defensive duties grew and grew into the match and in the second half he came into his own ,stretching the Carterton defenders with skillful runs down the left flank. Tom played a key role at both ends in this game , his link up play amongst Ollie ,George and Tyler meant we kept the ball so much longer than our opponents. Ollie was at the heart of the team today pumping his chest out and leading the team ever forward . Jake M joined the fray at half time and although he took a few minutes to get up to speed by the late stages his composure and fine eye for a pass helped keep the ball where we wanted it. George and Tyler combined throughout and their partnership is beginning to look ever more mennacing, both players worked their socks off today even when they didn't have the ball and were always alert to a chance from beginning to end. Callum stepped on to give Keiron a much earned rest and immediately looked to push back his opposite number.
The opening stages were evenly balanced and we had to be on guard as Carterton arrived in confident form at the top of the table. Any slight chance was swiftly snuffed out by our well organised back line and soon we were posing real problems to the visitors ourselves. Tyler was first to go close but shot early and wide in a good position. Some great play on the wing from Harlie opened up the Carterton defense again this Tyler time layed a lovely pass on for Keiron, who did exactly as he had in the pre-match warm up, he blazed over. You could sense a goal was coming and sure enough it did. Ollie picked up the loose ball in centre field and clipped a great pass between the two central defenders, Tyler raced onto it and then stepped around the goalie before tucking home our opener. Only seconds earlier Ty had seen a similar effort cleared off the line and would not make the same mistake again. Isaac dealt with a few solid shots that came his way and was quick to get our wingers back on the ball and turn defense into attack. Ollie and Owen worked a short corner and George saw his brilliant bicycle kick strike the bar with last kick of the half.
Carterton came out after the break with renewed vigour and for a solid ten minute spell, we got both busy and on occasion lucky.Our back four held firm and made great last ditch tackles to keep us ahead and slowly but surely we again started to get the upper hand. After a good spell of pressure from us we finally found the net for the second time. Joe kept the attack alive after Carterton had hacked the ball clear from a dangerous George corner. The fullback swept the ball back out to George who inturn slipped a nice ball into the run of Jake M. Manners then crossed for Tom to hit a wicked drive that cannoned back off the post and their was the gleeful Paternoster to smash home the rebound.Our visitors would not roll over and die and continued to press us back. Ned forced their centre forward away from goal as he looked certain to score and with Isaac prone on the ground Tom came from nowhere to block on the line. At this moment you knew it was going to be our day. Everyone continued to throw their bodies in the way of an increasingly frustated Carterton side and in the final few minutes we passed the ball with a confidence only shown by a top top side. So impressed and so proud of that performance boys ,well done.
