Magical Vegas avenged their 5-3 defeat in last weeks Premiership game against Blacksmiths FC with a sumptuous performance in their 2nd game of the Invitation Cup. Thus ensuring they are guaranteed a place in the semi-final.
The game started with Vegas very focused and they quikcly clamped down on blacksmiths 3-man defence with a high press and wingers Paul 'Trigz' Reid and Michael Appiah often making a 4-4-2 formation look like 4-2-4. The returning Jacob Bond joined Jordan Lewal in the centre of the pitch and they immediately dictated the pace of the game. Luke Morgan, playing in an unusual left back position, was a constant outlet and threat as he linked up with his cousin Trigz on countless occasions.
It was down the left that the breakthrough came when Morgan found Reid and Reid returned the favour. Morgan was in behind the defence and after setting himself he unselfishly squared for Ricardo Beckford to tap in at the far post for a deserved lead.
Hat-trick hero from the last game, Steven Bruce often stole possession and held the ball up well for oncoming attackers but it was his volley off a Trigz cross that was somehow bundled off the line that kept the score at 1-0.
The second breakthrough came in style when a corner was only half-cleared, after Appiah's initial attempt was blocked he leathered a rising strike into the top right hand corner from just outside the box to but the Vegas boys in control, 2-0.
Blacksmiths had their only chance of the half when a long-ball, which was often cut out by centre back duo Shane McNamara and debutant Dimitri, floated over the top and was struck sweetly but the Blacksmiths attacker. Luckily, it came back off the bar and they were not to have another chance to score for the rest of the game.
Vegas were delighted with their performance level at half-time. They needed to keep doing what they were doing and they would win the game...and score more goals.
Vegas started as they were. Fluent, progressive and threatening. Both wingers cause their full-backs trouble and Bond began to run the show in midfield. After 25minutes Erol Resat and Kaleb King replaced Trigz and Bruce and moments later Bond slid in Resat who rounded to goalie and score to put the game beyond any doubt.
Soon after a wonder strike out of nothing came from 35yards in off the underside of the bar that gave previously untroubled goalie, Matthew Summers, no chance.
Vegas upped the tempo again... a flowing team move started with Morgan at left-back. His pass was followed by 4 one-touch passes that ended with Resat flicking a beautiful touch for Bond who slipped in Beckford who finished with aplomb to score a wonderful team goal.
Vegas began to grind Blacksmiths down and they couldn't get near the ball, this time down the right Harry Pedersen, Appiah and Bond combined to release Resat into the right channel and he finished for another beautifully created goal to put the 5-1 up.
With just 5 minutes left, King found space down the left and his cross was finished first time by Resat for a 25minutes hat-trick as he opened the face of his right boot and arrowed a finished into the far corner. Game over, and Vegas can look forward to their meeting with Admiral next with renewed confidence.
