This one was one of the more extraordinary games you will see at Market Road Football Pitches this season.
The game had the hallmarks of a Vegas win as they found possession and space easy to come by in the opening minutes.
But, so much space that in the 5th minute Patrick Moore Jones, with no-one near him, tore his calf muscle and was replaced by Mark Maher.
Vegas now had to contend with the idea of playing the remaining 85minutes with the eleven players they had on the pitch. Nevertheless, they looked unnerved. Kadeem Gutzmore found space on the left flank and picked out a postage stamp cross for Perry Price to head in from 4 yard out in the 20th minute. One nil.
However, Vegas and Hussein Hussein specifically were dealt a huge setback when a good tackle turned into a nasty knee twisting collision that left the Vegas defender in agony. After a long break, he was helped off the pitch and Vegas moved into a 4-4-1 formation with Maher moving into centre back with Giuliano Cinotti. Man of the match Kaleb King and Shane McNamara playing either side.
Vegas, mentally strong, didn't flinch. Abiola Baloqun took a corner straight to the on-rushing Jacob Bond outside the penalty area. His shimmy made space on his right foot and his powerful drive took a slight deflection as it flew into the bottom corner to make it two nil.
Vegas found their shape, stayed disciplined with Baloqun and Gutzmore did admirable work to defend and attack when possible. Vegas weren't just 'sitting back', when they attacked they were carving massive holes in the Admiral defence. Chances for top goalscorer Price came at regular intervals, sometimes from distance or free-kicks where top saves were made and sometimes in one-on-one situations.
Half-time came and Vegas knew the battle was going to be the remaining 45 minutes. Admiral surely where going to pressurise them heavily in the second 45.
They did, but Vegas were resolute in defence. And on the break they were devastating. Gutzmore, Baloqun, Price and occasionally the steam engine that is Erol Resat made forays forward and often created scoring opportunities with chances to make it 3-0 going to waste.
Yet, the setbacks were about to reach extreme levels. Maher who had done brilliantly thus far pulled up with a torn hamstring whilst chasing a channel ball. Vegas were down to 9 men with 35 minutes to go, they moved into a 4-3-1 and sat very very deep with captain Bond slotting in next to Cinotti.
Yet again, their mentality was so strong. They created yet more chances. Profligacy was the reason the score wasn't already reaching 6's and 7's. But, finally the build up play paid dividends when Baloqun carried the ball from the half-way line into the box using extraordinary pace and power. He squared the ball for Price who found the bottom corner to give Vegas some breathing space with 15 minutes to go.
Still Admiral huffed and puffed and they did hit the woodwork before eventually finding an extra man at the far post to bundle home to make it 1-3.
The Vegas Boys stayed smart, they kept possession and used it well to win throw-ins and free-kicks. In the last minute of the 90 a Bond clearance was mis-controlled by and Admiral defender and Price was on to him in a flash. Torres like he nicked the ball scamped away from the defender and found the bottom corner to complete and incredible hat-trick and overall victory to Magical Vegas.
Teams take note, Vegas are here for the 3.
