On a windy and blustery night in Cappavilla, the post-season league tables began to take shape. In a top of the table clash, the unbeaten Bluestreak came up against new boys Friday Night Lights. A goal filled game saw Lights grab the lead in the 13th minute. After good build up play, a ball was set from the left byline to the oncoming Lights midfielder. A squared cross was met by a one touch finish from 8 yards and Friday Night Lights took the lead. 5 minutes later, Bluestreak were back on terms after a Tomas assisted goal was finished by Mickey. On the stroke of half time, a goal from a free kick (video below) restored Light's advantage. I had barely my back turned before hearing Bluestreak now celebrating their second goal, parity restored for a 2-2 half time score. Friday Night Lights upped it a gear in the second half and added three more goals to their tally. Bluestreak got one back in the 55th minute after a lovely lofted through ball found Tomas through on goal about 20 yards out. A graceful finish was lifted over the keeper and into the back of the net. It proved too little too late for Bluestreak though as Lights overtake them in the table to claim top spot for now. Three games to go including the return fixture on the last day of the post-season for these two teams.
In the other 7pm KO, Cutters kept their hopes of a "B" League title alive as they got the better of Delta Utd FC in a closely fought game. The first big chance of the game came Cutters' way in the 8th minute as Locky cut inside from the left wing. After getting ahead of his man, the hard part looked done but the shot was blasted over. In the 18th minute, Cutters opted for a low driven free kick. This shot was blocked but the ball was then picked up by a Cutters man. The resulting shot took a slight deflection which was enough to leave the Delta Utd keeper helpless. Cutters added a second before half time and began to look more comfortable. There was a twist to be had yet though as in the 29th minute, the ball appeared to ricochet in the Cutters goal before ending up in the keeper's hands. The ball was adjudged to have crossed the line but I'm not sure anyone fully knew exactly what happened. A strange one, but a goal back for Delta Utd nonetheless. The second half saw chances for both sides but no breakthrough was to be had for Delta Utd. Cutters managed to see out the game and record a 2-1 win putting them right in contention with a game hand over the teams above them.
In the 8pm games, all was to play for in the "A" league. With all teams taking points from each other, every single game counts. Boca - whose squad unfortunately succumbed to Covid last week - got a huge win vs Delta. Chances were exchanged before Boca took the lead. Delta started spending more time in the Boca final third in the second half, but it was one of those nights where Delta needed a little bit of luck that just didn't seem to come. In the 50th minute, Boca got the all important second goal. A ball found Callum at the right side of the box and he duly finished into the bottom corner. Delta kept prodding but Boca's defence and goalkeeper had answers when called upon. Delta's night was perhaps summed up in the 58th minute when a searching Delta cross was met by the top of a Boca head. This touch helped the ball onto a Delta man waiting at the back post but the resulting shot was smartly saved with the feet of the Boca keeper. 2-0 Boca the final score.
In the other 8pm game, Alfies kept up their good run of form with a win vs Wembledines. Goals were traded in the opening part of the match with both sets of players looking cagey at times. The ~5 minutes leading up to half time proved to be the defining period of the game. In the 28th minute, a ball was played down the left side and a pass back from the byline found Ger Fitz in space. After taking his time, Ger found the perfect option and picked out his teammate on the edge of the box with a lofted poss. A postage stamp finish from the Alfies man made it 2-1 to the boys in yellow. Wembledines did not settle well after conceding this goal, and moments later a ball was played into the feet of the Dines central midfielder. About 30 yards from his own goal, the Dines man was dispossessed and overrun with Alfies bodies resulting in an easy Alfies goal (video below). Possibly feeling that they had lost hold of the game in this 3 minutes spell, Dines shifted the momentum back in their favour with a press of their own. Winning the ball back, the shot from the corner of the box was parried and a Wembledines player was on hand to knock the ball in and make it a one-goal game. The second half saw Wembledines do plenty of threatening but the Alfies defence managed to hang on. With plenty of corners and crosses, the Alfies box was a busy area in the second half. In the dying minutes, a great break from Wembledines saw a ball lifted to the back post. Dines make connection with the ball but the Alfies keeper pulled off a good save. In the final phase of play, an inswinging cross was delivered towards the back post. An Alfies defender rose highest to get his head to the ball. The ball looped up over his own keeper and crashed off the post...such fine margins! The referee blew the final whistle and Alfies were thankful to come away with a hugely valuable 3-2 win.
Friday Night Lights free-kick goal
Alfies goal
