Last time we outplayed Mercedes and yet came away with a loss, quietly confident we could manage the key players and still play our own style, Whites set out to dominate possession and attack with careful build-up play.

Whistle went and Whites stepped into gear, good movement and pressure early make Mercedes re think the game, left side was worked very heavy and players within 20mins off Mercedes were panting and cursing for air as they ran ragged to chase the ball, even though they managed some attacks they were quickly shut down.

Jon combined well with Rob initially and some lovely runs diagonally created some pressure shots, what was good to see was a confident and composed whites with corners and free kicks, taking time to move shorter balls and long ones in a mixed but calculated area. Juan and Matt had blinders, nothing escaped and Mercedes forwards were robbed of the ball or intercepted quickly. Scott worked hard and seemed to be attracting a lot of attention, leaving other free to work the attack zones.

Anoop was focused and Jeff and crab combined to take some nice runs early and create several good attacks. The amount of shots and pressure moves on Mercedes defence was taxing for them and Whites were always looking to score it wasn’t a question of how just when.

Corners came in and Whites looked for Jon then Scott and even Jeff got into the mix (another regal ?) Alas... half time was a good pressured half.

Mercedes wore a brunt of attacks and Dan had warded off a few close shaves which defence quickly fixed. Coach emphasized the passing and communicating, with Mercedes players looking tired and if pushed a little more will break. Amos seemed little used and was frustrated however his turn was coming he wanted input to the game.

Second half , things moved up a gear again attacks from both sides with no outcome , Whites looked better and clearly it was telling as several Mercedes players dropped out of injuries , leading to the 2 players who caused some pain last time. This time however we had a few tricks up our sleeve. With Anoop and Amos now positioned opposite for while Mercedes had to swap midfielders as Amos ran his heart out, causing some panic each time he went forward, this led to Mercedes pushing both the feeders to defend and work hard to get across, the striker was then left to Anoop to pressure and Jeff to clean up the ball , he rarely got the ball and it was showing. Rob had spent all and Ryan came on , only briefly as he pulled his calf again – after showing some good signs – Justin then came on Hungry for action, Amos was then flipped around to right again and Justin Left now Mercedes didn’t swap but focused still on the left side. Anoop became attacking as the game on and my nails were getting shorter as each shot , cross and pass near goals just didn’t go in. the tension was high Mercedes had no answer we had run over the top but the result 0-0 . whites went to sleep for about 10 mins with nothing going on really just passing and interception, coach encouraged one more push and as the clock wound down the players became more alert to the need to secure the win.

For 10 mins approx things were on edge, corners lots of them, free kicks – Mercedes were under siege and no goal, then Counter by Mercedes which was quickly shut down and Anoop seized a opportunity to pass to Juan or Matt , from here Jon took off making space for Amos who had been left free, the ball was placed nicely into the right side with Amos zooming past the defender and drawing 3 players closer to him as reached the box, then the assist perfect touch through to Jon as ran into the box, Jon touched , scooted past the defender and goalie committed , then a arrow shot not to hard past the keeper and left side of the net and the crowd erupted ! Whites one anyway – hugging etc... 1 Nil

Amos was so emotional he somehow blitzed past the players shirt off and showing off his muscles took his shirt off ? ?????? Referee who had been completely out of depth with the game booked him, however somehow didn’t book him again _ previous yellow .... Time went on – Mercedes crowd and coach called the referee a few words etc.. ref comes over yellow card to coach , then the Amos subject arose and the ref changes his booking and red card Amos.

Down 1 Man with perhaps 2 mins to go , Mercedes didn’t see the ball much they had one attack and that’s it the rest of the time , the ball was kept tightly in control , then the whistle 1 nil win and celebrations – well deserved and well executed game.

We have some tough games ahead my hope is this spurs us on to season where anything is possible and even top teams can falter just before the line , pressure is on the top 2 not us we just need to keep the pedal to medal - that’s it !!

JamesTop