Inner West Prove Too Dangerous for Western Raiders
With a number of new recruits in place, Inner West started the weaker and was made to pay after a well worked Raiders goal six minutes into play. Miller finished the slick move from close range.
Continuing with their tight defense and slick passing, the Raiders almost doubled their lead through a fierce Lam shot before Rogic evened it up on the 10th minute mark. The ACT recruit picked up the ball on the right in his own half, cut onto his left before unleashing an unstoppable low hard shot.
With the scores locked at 1-1, Inner West built momentum and although Lam struck the post, it was the visitors who took the lead seconds before half time. A loss in concentration from Western Raiders allowed Rogic to be found on the left, who played a pin point pass to Vizzari on the back post.
Down 2-1, Western Raiders utilized their physical game as the second half saw a number of yellow cards and fouls. However, despite the less than conduct play, the Raiders still weren?t able to contain Inner West?s fast, dynamic play going forward even with Raider?s goalkeeper, Akers, playing fantastically.
In just the fourth minute after the break, Waddick showed skill, speed and creativity to turn his defender unexpectedly to fire in a low hard shot into the Radier?s net to make it 3-1.
Although the Raider?s started playing attractive football, it was the last pass in the final third that let them down as a number of counter attacks went begging. One such attack proved costly as Akers dribbled forward to catch the visitors on the break, only to be dispossessed and made to pick the ball from his own net. Cimitile had the easy job of tapping home from close range after Rogic once again provided the delivery.
Searching for any possibility, Raiders did snatch one back through Kelly after his shot took a big deflection. However it proved too little too late as Vizzari smashed home to make it 5-2 and a hard worked victory to Inner West.
Location: Blacktown Leisure Centre
Western Raiders: Akers, Lam, Pearcy, Miller, Southern, Iredale, Kelly, Lancaster, Diaz
Scorers: R.Miller 5′, M. Kelly 40′
Inner West: Graemify, Flannigan, Vizzari, Rogic, Waddick, Dapuzzo, Alpkaya, Donevski, Pace, Fogarty, Bortone, Cimitile
Scorers: T. Rogic 15th, A. Vizzari 26?, 42?, I. Waddick 29?, A. Cimitile 35?
Yellow Cards: Akers, Lancaster (Raiders) Camitile, Fogarty (Allstars)
Referees: D. Allatt, O. Ferguson
Quake Too Strong for Rovers
Campbeltown Quake proved the stronger in the highly anticipated match against Enfield Rovers, where they won 8-4. In what was a physical match played at a very high tempo, Quake was always in control after going up in the first minute. With a number of Futsalroos on display, Quake?s depth was key to their success as four players on the bench had formerly represented the green and gold in the past. Shevin had a solid match, however with three Quake player?s scoring doubles, it was the hosts who dominated.
Dural Warriors Hold Out the Eagles
Dural pressed for the entire 50 minutes as they held out Sydney City Eagles 3-3 in what was an extremely skilful match to watch. With Leo Carle pulling the strings for the Eagles, the visitors started the stronger going up 1-0 within minutes. A couple of mistakes by Sydney City however allowed Dural to get themselves back into the game and once Andreas Gomez was controversially sent off for encroachment, Dural?s Ben Lawson smashed home the equalizer from a 10m penalty kick with just one minute left of play.
Vipers Beat Benfica 6-5
Mascot Vipers were almost made to pay for their lack of finishing early on as Benfica could have caused a first round upset. Leading 2-0 after within minutes, Vipers could have easily scored six more; however they failed at the final hurdle. Once Benfica got one back from a silly Vipers mistake, the game became a feast of goals and physical play although the match was played in good spirit. Vipers coach congratulated Benfica on never giving up and explained that ?a win is a win however we need to finish our chances when we have them.?
– Caetano Lima
