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Randal Smith
Well, we blew it. The
Geckos did to us what we did to SBFC two weeks ago. While most of the
Harriers approached the game with a cavalier attitude, some already
calculating where we¡¯d be in the table once we brushed aside the Geckos,
the Geckos themselves had their game faces on. In the end it came down to
them wanting the game more than us.
It didn¡¯t help that a majority of the Harriers arrived just before
kick-off time, missing the chance to warm up and get organized.
Christophe¡¯s first goal, a spectacular low curving right foot blast from
outside the penalty area, only added to our complacency. Two plays later,
following a corner, Didi hit the bar from outside the box. It bounced back
to Sean at hip height and he managed to angle himself for a strike but the
shot flicked just over the bar. ¡°Everything is falling into place,¡± was
the feeling among the Harriers. So we sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed the
game.
Meanwhile, Gecko players were being left unmarked and challenges were
half-hearted. Before we knew it they had produced two scrappy goals.
Defensively the Geckos also did very well. After the game our strikers,
Evan and Joos, mentioned their defenders had them marked very tight
throughout the match. Special mention should also be made of the Gecko
keeper who showed some great skills.
This is not to say the Harriers didn¡¯t have their chances. Joos had a
terrific strike early in the second period that just missed the top bar,
but ten minutes later he mistimed a kick he later admitted was a great
opportunity. He managed a break-away down the right side that left him
one-on-one with the Gecko goalie but just before he struck, the ball
bobbled on some gravel.
By the third period the Harriers had picked up their game, playing with
commitment and finally passing to each other. Eventually a goal was scored
by David Shin on a corner.
Alas, it was not enough to stem the Geckos¡¯ momentum. The Harriers had
been playing without subs for the entire game and several were now
limping. A couple of superb overlapping runs by Gecko midfielders finished
us off 4-2.
Despite the final score, defender Joel and Kevin, this time playing
between the posts, had great games. Nevertheless, Man of the Match honors
go to Christophe who scored an excellent goal and played with tremendous
heart.
Goal scorers: Christophe Garnier, David Shin
Man of the Match: Christophe Garnier |
