Match Report by Mr Tim Waite:
The Mighty Weekenders bought good form into the weekend’s clash against Cosmos, following their come from behind draw against Collegiate and a win against Hammers in the previous two games.
After a quick warm-up that involved the obligatory walking from the changing sheds to the ground a few pot shots at goal and the putting up of the nets the Weekenders decided on a strong back four with midfielders and attackers to compliment them.
With the luxury of two reserves to call on the Weekenders began strongly uting well-timed passing skills, through good communication and cool heads. Both teams adapted well early on to the field of two halves which is Ground 9, and accounted well for the hard bounces and myriad of crossover lines from different pitches which made it hard for either goalie to determine the actual size of their goalbox. With close to 20 minutes on the game clock it was the Weekenders who opened the scoring when Reuben Joblin-Mills followed up on a mistake by the Cosmos defenders, in truth it was no more than they deserved. The same player could’ve added a second moment’s later but lacked the poise he had shown when taking his first goal, blasting it well over the crossbar.
Things stayed pretty even until half-time, with each side really only having half chances. The Weekenders were lucky not to concede a penalty near half-time, however the referee saw things differently to the Cosmos and the score remained 1-0.
Both teams began the second half well, knowing exactly the shortcomings they had displayed in the first half, but again it was the Weekenders who struck first through Jake Payton who made several telling runs during the second half and did not die wondering by putting the Cosmos defenders under pressure.
Cosmos did strike back though soon after when they were able to catch the Weekenders off guard with a quickly taken goal kick. Generally there is only one result when Mark Goodier finds himself one on one with the keeper and this time it was no different, 2-1 Weekenders.
Another goal to Jake Payton following another defensive blunder by Cosmos made the score 3-1, and the Weekenders dared to dream about getting one over their veteran rivals. However a goal by the Cosmos a few minutes after meant the job wasn’t quite finished yet, Weekenders 3-2.
With less than 15 minutes to go the two most telling moments of the clash occurred. Firstly a penalty by the Weekenders that would’ve surely killed the game off was missed and secondly the Cosmos scored from a free-kick when God parted the Red Sea for the football, flooding the Weekenders and killing off any chance of a well deserved victory.
When the final whistle blew both teams pointed to areas and key moments in the game where they could’ve taken victory but in the end the Weekenders kept their undefeated streak going with the stern test of Castlecliff United to follow.
