1st X1 Match Report

FDMC CENTRAL FINANCE (1) v Hawera (1)

JUST NEEDING A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK

FDMC Central Finance retained the Challenge Trophy once again but failed to extend their lead at the top of the table after a fine overall performance that lacked one vital ingredient - a little bit of luck in front of goal.

After a good start by the home team, it was Hawera who took full advantage of a rare defensive error mid way through the first half to go in to the lead in a competitive and very even start to the game.

But FDMC Central Finance responded well playing some incisive football and always looking threatening on attack. Morgan HALL and Tomas MOSQUERA were making some very good runs in behind the Hawera defence but both found themselves on the end of some very strange off side decisions by the referee which prevented them from taking full advantage of their good work.

FDMC Central Finance played with width and penetration and stepped up their game in the last 15 minutes of the first half. Stephen KIBBY saw a great header cleared of the line and MOSQUERA and HALL went close with some excellent sharp shooting.

Aaron HUESSER grabbed an excellent equaliser just before half time after a superb one two with Morgan HALL allowed him to find some space in the penalty area and he calmly slotted the ball in to the back of the net past the oncoming goalkeeper.

In the second half, FDMC Central Finance stepped up their game and with Stephen KIBBY and Domenico SQUATRITI dominating the middle of midfield the home team found themselves enjoying both territory and posession for the remainder of the game. As the saying goes, "Posession equals pressure and pressure will result in goal scoring opportunities"...and it did; both MOSQUERA and HALL went very close early on and sub Andrew CROWE had two good chances to put the team ahead.

Hawera made a quick tactical change and played a sweeper behind the back four in an attempt to sure up their defence and contain a dominant home side. Corner kick after corner kick piled on the pressure but that vital last touch seemed to be evading the home side when it mattered most - that final pass, final touch or cross was somehow found wanting or scrambled away by a valient Hawera defence.

In a brave attempt to snatch a last gasp winner, FDMC Central Finance threw bodies into the box in an attempt to grab three points and secure the win that they really deserved and it was MOSQUERA who pounced in the six yard box to ram the ball home with minutes left only for the referee to once again reverse the decision and award a free kick for a questionable foul on the goalkeeper moments before.

A disappointing result but a fine performance, which still leaves the team unbeaten at the top of the league, two points clear of Waitara and Inglewood, who both have a game in hand. But as we near the end of Round 1 the jostling for position at the top of the league hots up as FDMC Central Finance travel to Inglewood next Saturday and all of the top four teams play against each other over the next three weeks.