LEAGUE ROUND 17 - THE SHOWDOWN - RESULT
July Fourth 2-0 NAMO UNITED
July Fourth 124.8 dandelion - NAMO UNITED 118.8 4-3N-1-2
This was a very much even contest than the scoreline suggests, both teams played good football and creating an equal number of chances each as NAMO UNITED tried to play on the counter attack, but the difference between the 2 teams was our solid defence in what we are usually known best for, The first couple of chances went to NAMO UNITED but Hogan defended superbily before we got the ball forward to Michu who passed for Pietropaolo to knock it past the keeper to give us the lead, the game continued on a even basis, with us having chances from Miku and Michu in the first half going over and Aldemir and Porumb for NAMO UNITED being blocked, Quill was everywhere for NAMO UNITED and was superb in defence and keeping them in the game as well as creating 1 or 2 chances in the first half. The first half ended 1-0 to July Fourth.
The second half was steady as well and we started well winning an early free-kick, Michu was on duties as Beckett is still recovering from his injury a few days ago, he blasted one over the bar, but it wasn't long until Verdun handballed it near the area and gave Michu another free-kick from an awkward angle, this time Michu struck it over the wall and into the top far corner and the keeper couldn't reach it and we lead 2-0, still though chances for both sides continued NAMO UNITED won a free-kick and it was on target from Porumb and tipped over the bar by Knight and the corner came in and Calavicci headed it away to safety, Sylla and Quill had a couple of chances for NAMO UNITED before Verdun tripped O'Sullivan in the 70th minute that ended the game for both players, Verdun sent off for a second yellow and O'Sullivan injured, We already subbed in Papaleo and Vestergaard on 58 minutes and we threw on reserve GK Fartmann for the last 15 minutes or so since we were playing against 10 and didn't want to waste any other players low condition on the bench, Miku had a chance to score late on and Vestergaard and Papaleo each tried to create a chance, there was a couple of more efforts from NAMO UNITED, Almedir's shot saved by Knight for a corner to be headed away by Calavicci and a Orth shot blocked by Stuart and then it was final whistle soon after this and we get the important win over our rivals.
Goals: Pietropaolo (8) Michu (49) MOTM: Michu.
Sent Off: Verdun (70)
Injury Report: O'Sullivan OUT for 5 days, not anymore, we are down 15 reds but he will play tonights CL match against SK Senec.
Team Talk: A good hard fought win for us over our rivals for the league title, however we must still work hard as we are still only 4 points ahead of NAMO UNITED and they are still in the title race and can still win games to keep pressure on us. We play SK Senec tonight in the CL Quarter-Final tonight who are a scout team and it will be a tough match for us as well.
Revised Title Odds: July Fourth 1/25, NAMO UNITED 12/1.