1st X1 Match Report

Peringa 2 vs FDMC Central Finance 4

It is fair to say that FDMC Central Finance struggled to hit the dizzy heights of recent performances but what they did not show in quality they certainly showed in courage and determination as they came back from 2-1 down to comfortably win a game that they were in danger of losing, thanks to three goals in the last 15 minutes.

Playing into a very strong head wind, FDMC started well and took the lead after 10 minutes, when striker Morgan HALL latched on to a through ball to gently lob the ball over the on coming goal keeper. In a first half that led to very few highlights it was Peringa who struck next, taking full advantage of a foul in the penalty area by Geoff ANDREWS and Leighton DEARDON made no mistake from the resulting spot kick as both teams went in at half time 1-1.

With the half time team talk focusing on playing better passing football and trying to capitalise on the territorial advantage that the extremely strong and very windy conditions would provide the team started better. It was FDMC Central Finance who indeed took the initiative but they failed to work the ball into their opponents penalty area prefering instead to take a number of long range shooting opportunities that failed to hit the target.

Against the run of play, it was Peringa who pounced once again to take advantage of a rare forage into the FDMC Central Finance penalty area, as they scored from close range after goalkeeper Stefan WALSH failed to gather a swirling cross under a heavy challenge.

One word summed up the remainder of the game - PATIENCE - as the team plugged away, trying to play with width and attempting to pass the ball better at all times. It was Morgan HALL who latched on to another through ball to level the score with ten minutes to go and then moments later Dominico SQUATRITI opened his account for the season with a good strike from the edge of the box that took a deflection on the way into the goal. FDMC Central Finance were certainly grateful to be 3-2 up and with minutes left in the game it was SQUATRITI who provided a moment of real quality to extend the lead and secure the three points, with a pile driver from 20 yards into the top corner of the net.

Three more points, a courageous performance and an important win that still leaves FDMC Central Finance clear at the top of the table.