On Monday, 21 May the Metro Cup Stage 3 Football (real football that is) Team had a windy and chilly day in the highlands that didn't quite deliver the outcome we were anticipating.
Having won this event the last couple of years, hopes were high - perhaps a bit too high. A lot of excitement but not enough execution in our first game saw some average defending result in us conceding a goal midway through the first half. Worse still, we couldn't score, despite quite a few good chances. We ended up losing that one 1-0 and really should have done better on the scoreboard, a couple of chances going begging that cost us heavily in the final standings. Second game we were a bit more focussed, played much better and competed well across the park.
The defensive unit of Darcy, Jake, Trav and Eli worked well and kept them out.
The midfield of George, Noah T, Aleah, Johno, Cohen, Jackson and Millie were very effective in both defense and attack.
The striking combination of Linkin, Reggie & Ethan did their job well. A 3-0 victory and a job well done. Next game saw us starting to find some form and the back of the net. A 4-0 win after a good effort all round. Last game and we needed to make amends for the first game loss to have any hope of making it through to the next round.
Unfortunately our great first half, including George powering home a great goal and a 2-1 lead wasn't enough.
They ran us down after a fairly unlucky penalty call against us and then a cracking strike by them from a good distance rifled into the roof of the net to level the score with not long to go.
A 2-2 draw was a pretty good result, but only enough to see us finish in 3rd place on goal difference. I'm really proud of the team on their performances right across the day, no whinging and having a good go.
Travis in goals in one of the games made a couple of great saves to keep us in front and I reckon Jake and Darcy at the back were solid, saving our bacon quite a few times. I can't remember who scored all the goals but I'm pretty sure Jackson either scored them or had a hand in most of them.
Jackson also deservedly picked up the "Player of the Tournament" award, which was a nice consolation but I think he would have readily traded it for a point for the team to get us through to the next round.
Special mention to Noah S who very unselfishly, sacrificed his day of football to help out with Bye Bye Birdie band preparation. Sorry that we couldn’t reward you by making it through to the next round.
Well done team, didn’t win it, but represented well.
