Futsal – Allstars raid the West to make it two from two

The Inner West Allstars got their season off to the best possible start making it two wins from two games when they overcame a tenacious Western Raiders team 5-3 at the Blacktown Sport and Leisure centre.
The game began with both sides having an equal amount chances on goal. Adrian Vizzari anchoring the defence ventured forward and fired just wide while Raiders keeper Peter Akers saved from Jacob Dimento.  Matthew Kelly for the Raiders shot wide then shortly after forced a great block from Allstars keeper Robbie Maiorana.
The chances kept coming as Troy Eedy shot just wide and Eedy was involved again when from a quick counter attack he passed to Jacob Dimento whose effort forced an excellent block from Peter Akers. 
Josh Schumann fired just wide for the Raiders and shortly after his pass found James Kirkland Morris who also went close. Then the Allstars came within a whisker of scoring the opening goal when Adrian Vizzari?s long pass found Daniel Fogarty but his close range effort went over the bar.
The Allstars are a fast counter attacking side that throws players forward but attempts to retract quickly to its defensive formation if they lose possession.  Their gameplan was working because although the Raiders were having plenty of chances most of them were from distance.
Despite the fast pace of the game and a host of scoring opportunities from both sides somehow the score managed to remain at 0-0 throughout the first half.
One minute into the second half and the Allstars broke the deadlock when Jacob Dimento received the ball on the edge of the area and blasted the ball past the keeper to give his side a 1-0 lead.
Minutes later the Raiders levelled the score when Daine Merrin pounced on a loose ball turned onto his left foot and slammed the ball across the keeper into the net.
The Allstars regained the lead two minutes later when they received a freekick on the edge of the area. Adrian Vizzari stepped up and blasted the ball into the roof of the goal.
Shortly after the Allstars were awarded another freekick but this time Peter Akers made an excellent save to deny Vizzari.
Ten minutes into the second half the Allstars got the important breakthrough when Troy Eedy shrugged off two Raiders defenders cut onto his right foot and drove the ball low past the keeper to open up a 3-1 lead.        
Moments later the Allstars extended their lead with the goal of the game when Troy Eedy carried the ball down court then passed to Adrian Vizzari who played the ball straight across goal to the unmarked Nick Rouco to slot home from close range.
The Raiders had battled hard the whole game and deservedly pulled a goal back to make it 4-2 when Simon Zahra cut inside his marker and cracked the ball low past the keeper.
The Raiders came close to scoring again but in the space of a minute replacement keeper Alex Riccio pulled off two great saves to deny Josh Schumann.
Amid the Raiders attacking pressure the Allstars extended their lead again when a loose ball from a goalmouth scramble fell to Daniel Fogarty who made no mistake from the edge of the area. 
Riccio in the Allstars goal made further great saves to deny the Raiders Josh Schumann then Daine Merrin.
The Raiders scored the final goal when Simon Zahra found James Kirkland Morris whose excellent flick pass fell perfectly into the path of Josh Schumann who slammed the ball past the advancing keeper.
The Raiders are a whole hearted side that battle for the ball throughout the game but in the end the skill and pace of the Allstars coupled with their good defensive work got them the points.
Teams
Western Raiders – 1. Peter Akers, 3.  Daine Merrin, 4.  Matthew Kelly, 6.  Carlo Manna, 8.  James Kirkland Morris, 9.  Simon Zahra,10. Dale Southern, 14. Joshua Schumann
Inner West Allstars – 1. Alex Riccio, 2. Ben Lam, 4. Daniel Fogarty, 5. Kane Wrigh, 8. Nick Rouco, 10. Adrian Vizzari, 14. Sherwin Adeli, 16. Jacob Dimento, 17. Troy Eedy, 22. Robbie Maiorana, 81. Shane Ardle
Scorers
Western Raiders ? Daine Merrin, Simon Zahra, Josh Schumann
Allstars ? Jacob Dimento, Adrian Vizzari, Troy Eedy, Nick Rouco, Daniel Fogarty
Infringements 
Western Raiders ? 9 fouls
Allstars ? 9 fouls

Yellow cards ? Daine Merrin (Western Raiders), Simon Zahra (Western Raiders)
Red Card ? Daine Merrin (Western Raiders)

Venue ?      Blacktown Sports and Leisure Centre ? Stanhope Gdns
                  Crowd approx ? 150
Referees ? Roger Lee, Gavin Lee

by Peter Davis