Atlantic Stars : Match Report v. RCC Strikers on 20th Jan 2009

2009-01-21T15:58:00.000-08:00

Atlantic Star 2 RCC Strikers 3
Glasgow
Dickens

Carlowe
Leach
Holian
Griffiths
Glasgow
Maguire
Heffernan
Dickens
Marler
Fraser

Star’s 2009 wasn’t going to get any easier with a difficult fixture against the league favourites and top placed RCC Strikers. Only Old Boys had managed to take points off them previously this season with a two all draw.

There was some expectation from the Star faithful with the returns of Glasgow and Griffiths and finally eight months after the formation of the indoor side, the outfield debut of Holian. His only previous appearance had been in goal in Marble & More’s 13-2 victory against Cayman Free Press last season. There was definitely a determination about the squad prior to the game as they looked to get their season back on track. Their only problem was the absence of a goalkeeper and a forced late change saw Carlowe put on the gloves for the first time this season.

The early moments were played with both sides moving the ball round and keeping possession. Atlantic Star tested the RCC keeper with a couple of distant efforts but failed to really trouble him. The deadlock was broken as Holian showed his rustiness and was beaten down the right side. The RCC player then squeezed the ball between Carlowe’s legs to give RCC an early lead. The goal didn’t deter the Star players and regular changes kept the side fresh to the extent that they were certainly in it at the half way point and were possibly unfortunate not to have breached the RCC rearguard themselves.

A good block by Carlowe early in the second half kept Star in the game and within a few minutes they had deservedly pulled themselves level. A free kick on the left was taken quickly by Glasgow much to the annoyance of the RCC players who weren’t prepared for the skipper’s prompt reaction. His shot flew into the bottom right hand corner and it was game on. Atlantic Star lined up ready for the kick off and for the first time in the game the decision went their way and the goal stood.

Manager Atterbury decided to take the game to RCC and he put on Maguire, Marler and Dickens in an attempt to get in front. And get in front they did after an excellent move between the three players which Dickens finished with some style on the left hand side. You could see the sheer adrenalin as the three shared the congratulation. The bold tactical change by the manager had worked to great effect. The on looking crowd, including guests of Her Majesty’s residences, got very excited willing the underdogs on to victory.

Carlowe pulled off another couple of saves to keep Star in front, one an excellent reaction as he got his left foot to a shot as it looked to be heading into the bottom corner. It was rather unfortunate then on the keeper that a momentary lapse cost Atlantic Star the lead. A shot from the right looked to be bread and butter for the Cockney keeper but it slipped through his fingers and it was all level again.

Tempers started to fray on the field and a sin bin for Dickens was quickly followed by two yellow cards for RCC players. Hoping to capitalise with the extra numbers, Star tried to break forward but the referees weren’t to oblige any more than they had to, and after time wasting on the RCC front, they were back to five players before Star had chance to exploit the situation. Even more unfortunate was that during this period RCC broke down the right and struck a sizzling shot off the top of the crossbar and into the goal. It just proved how any lapse of concentration gets punished by the best teams.

The spirit didn’t disappear from the Star players but unfortunately the time did, and the 2009 unrewarding run continues. However there were definitely more positives than negatives to take from the game and the players certainly shouldn’t be ashamed of their performance against RCC and one if not two referees. That first victory will be the springboard towards the remainder of the season and the boys will be in preparation for their next test against Maples and Calder.