The game of the year really – the biggest fear was injury and every time we play Pembroke it gets physical quickly. The high spirits in training and the intensity work has been geared for the big games. Pembroke was our first, we needed to step up to beginning of the season status. Whites started with confidence and push the ball around well keeping a well structured formation. Pembroke tried to attack with ferocity only to be met with a wall of resistance and equal measure of attack.

Several times in the 1st 15mins Pembroke were under pressure , they responded in turn with longer passes and panic kicks to the forwards looking to press high and snag a quick goal.

Dan matched several attempts and defence under the few corners was taken care of, something Whites have been slow to fix – this time the zone kept Pembroke out. On the other side the mix of rob on the left created difficultly for the Pembroke defence and midfield. While many runs were attempted several breaks by Rob nearly put whites up 2 goals.

Amos created some flair and Joe crunched early and hard , his level of playing the number 2 role has been electric at times – however a tackle put in early in the 15min mark seem to stop Joe , coming off with a lot of concern on the bench. Anoop stepped up and made sure Joe's legacy lived on, his performance was powerful and provided more concern , his crosses and corner takes were pinpoint and defensive speed held out the best two players on Pembrokes park .

Scott found it difficult to shake the two markers, something we have not had before where a team decides to mark players and fear their worth . Pembroke had no answer and it was clear that whites were dominating the possession and building up without using the exorbitant energy

It was Scott who after several passes and close quarter shots , nailed a shot close range pass the Pembroke keeper and Pembroke spirit broke for the half.

Paul came on and stepped the intensity up utilizing Jon and Amos, Amos missing 2 goals and Jon a cracker just wide, Anoop tuned in with two smashes too high but on target . Pembroke were breaking down the huge amount of running and pressure to make a run – repetition works on older style teams BUT Whites are not playing older style they are playing modern football and learning to develop the large talent we have. Matt carved the midfield with short and long across, penetrating passes and blocking every move, Juan supported with aggressively shutting down play and cutting out the passes that Pembroke were looking for. As time went on whites kept building, Ryan came on giving fresh legs and speed to the mix, Paul was pushed forward into 10 and had several shots both were there for the taking, Pembroke should have had 2 or 3 against them but only one was needed.

Still Whites pushed Pembroke had no answer no matter what they did they were running after the ball chasing and starting to fade for the first time.

Jafar came on now adding a another skilled player, setting up Paul for a one on one

A the end the of the whistle Whites had taken a sweet victory suck Pembroke and shown they can and will play a high level of football to aim high.

Excellent team game and everyone's effort whether small or great was beneficial – its a team sport and players will need to be conscious of this in the next month as everyone has a part to play

A good victory and now forward to the next big game Sacred Heart.

JamesTop