With momentum from the B's the A's were very positive from the start and keen to settle into a rhythm of their own.

The game started with many passes and interceptions form both sides. Whites midfield seem to be slower initially than Mercedes and it took time to adapt to the players around.

Mercedes opting for the old 5-3-2 or variation of 3-5-2, looking to make use of the wing backs , however as noted here the space it can leave on the field can also backfire and if the midfield is stopped the game changes.

Whites started to move the ball around but kept giving up the easy balls initially the first half Whites were double the number of bad passes/interceptions to Mercedes. This turning over gave way to a move from forster and nearly a goal as the ball didn't sit right in the 5 yard box for him and Dan pulled off a great save and parry down the ball away from the Mercedes Striker.

This provided the needed switch to kick whites into gear, for about 10 minutes several attacks push Mercedes and they worked hard to keep the ball out of the net. Anoop nice run inside and shooting just off target caught the GK out unfortunately the ball skidded past the post. Several corners then come to Whites with mounting pressure something was building. Amos started to weave his magic and run at the players and played wide cutting in but still no real opportunity to deliver a early blow.

The official was letting a few tackles go and some heavy hits were building. Crab let one foot cruncher in and was lucky with no foul.

The ball moved up and down the pitch with Mercedes shooting a whopping 15 shots way, way outside the box, then Mercedes got a unusual break again from a bad corner and crab felt he had to take a serious challenge in with both feet. I wsnt sure if he connected but the referee awarded the foul just outside the box, a danger area and not ideal when we had the momentum. Forster lined up and just smacked it across from Dan with a slight touch but the ball was still heading in. 1 nil down a shock in way as the boys had been taking hold of the game.

New boy vince had been sort of quiet and while feeding some balls around the park had no real effect, however the goal must have shaken the nerves as Scott, vince and ashwi combined to dominate the midfield. Runs from vince, Scott and Amos gave Jon some room to breathe as he was locked down with 2 sometimes 3 guys holding him back. Half time and whites had played well, some timely reminders about keeping the ball and making sure we are not coughing up the ball too easy, and with one goal down we were still in it.

The game started with some explosive passing and immediate pressure, Mercedes were just kicking the ball out under the pressure, corners again 3 or 4 allowed several joint attacks from Jon , a header and shot both saved. Vince got onto a cross but over the bar. Jack was moved up the field a little and as usual in the second half stepped a another notch producing a cross to vince who was left unmarked and lovely header to his left and sending the keeper to his right , 1 All and a great celebration – Mercs faces were devastated the cheering and celebration has flattned any hope. Whites were coming on strong. The middle was dominated by 3 tireless workers producing attack after attack. Amos and Anoop supported well and several times were close to adding another. It was the through ball from Chris which drew vince into the lime light and running with 3 taggers behind and side, a defender took the leap of death and touched vince in which he easily fell for effect giving the referee no choice but to award a penalty. Vince lined up and again sent the keeper wrong way making the score line 2-1 .

Whites kept attacking and Mercedes become desperate to win the game back. Lewis debut gave some fresh legs to the right and Gary for Jon, Credit to Jon he ran his heart out with 3 leeches on his back he rarely had time to do much however he did make several sacrificial runs which drew the defender away.

Unfortunately a few off park incidents drew my attention away and I missed the build up and attack from Mercedes but Farrugia scored and evened the game to 2 all.

The game was still intense whites I felt were unlucky not put another away and showed good heart to come back against a very seasoned side and formidable team. Looking at the game last year we lost our first encounter with Merdeces 2-1 so a point each is a fitting start with a point at least to start our season. Over all a good game and plenty of things to tune up, the possession and passing was good and the build ups are becoming very dangerous. Well done for our first game and while we are behind in some aspects to 2011 we have a long a way to go with so much more potential to achieve higher than 3rd !

JamesTop