Magical Vegas FC put in a limp, wasteful, ill-disciplined and frustrating performance against a struggling Regents FC side just 2 weeks after conquering the champions in a performance that had everyone very frustrated after the game.
2 last-minute changes to the starting 11 (and 1 sub dropping out) left the team with the bare 11 for kick off. In a re-jigged line up, Vegas started slowly and it was punished after 10minutes when a long-ball over the top caught them exposed. Goalie David Willis and centre back Luke Caesar collided while a Regents striker toe ended the ball over them into an empty net...leaving Caesar injured and the side down to 10 men and a goal down.
With some players pressing - and others not, massive gaps where being left in midfield and the control of the game was very poor. However, they weren't conceding chances as Regents FC lacked any real quality.
When Vegas did have the ball, they looked dangerous and Jacob Bond opened up the Regents defence with a perfectly weighted ball which Price passed into the net only to be (unbelievably) flagged for offside. It looked like he had come from so far back it would have been impossible to be offside but the decision stood.
Moments later, Price whipped in a fierce cross after a corner was cleared only for Luke O'Leary to mistime his jump from a yard out. More chances came, the goalie (who looked out of place in his position) somehow made a double save; first from Bonds' long-distance strike and Trigz had a follow up smothered after another shot when it looked like he was going to be able to just tap it in.
When Tre Thompson arrived he slotted in midfield to make it 11 v 11 on 35minutes, it offered more protection as Emmanuel played up top next to Price. Now able to press Vegas were able to impose themselves but they couldn't find a way to goal.
Second half began but Vegas quickly looked frustrated and even began to argue between themselves - which hasn't been seen yet this season. That sort of reaction to one another needs to be put to bed...
The referee didn't help as he constantly killed the game with stoppages as he continually talked to players for nothing challenges.
Vegas hit the bar from a Trigs header, O'Learly had a brilliant header from a corner disallowed for a push that didn't exist and Patrick Moore Jones crashed a penalty off the underside of the bar in a period of time that would have seen them draw level at 1-1 and probably go on to win the game. Instead that miss proved very costly...
Regents were under siege but a rare counter attack saw them grab a second when Vegas were left exposed at the back. A poor square ball found its way to an attacker who scuffed a shot in from 6 yards out.
Trigz set up Price a minute from the end to get a deserved goal but it was all too little too late in one of the most frustrating losses in the clubs 3 years history.
They will need to get their teamwork hat, finishing boots and communicative voices ready for a massive cup game against Admiral next week in the cup if they are to progress - and they should know they have every chance to do so - to the next round of the cup.
