Alpha Manager:
Starting Line-up:
GK Scott Powell 1 Aaran Carl
RB Damien Beard 2 Terry Buchan
CB Steven Lavin 3 TJ Dowling
LB Ali Shakeri
MF Ozan Sezer
FW Fran Lopez
KICK-OFF
It was a nice day as both team looked to get their seasons off to a flying start. Hightown Elite having been in the league in previous years knew what to expect but Harvest Omega were competing in their first game as a new team this year. Harvest looked pretty comfortable on the ball for the first 10 minutes or so but were halted in their tracks early on as Steven Lavin looked to shield the ball out for a goal kick he was robbed of the and Hightown took the lead.
Manager Aaran Carl decided to make a double switch putting himself and terry Buchan on. This proved to have a positive attacking impact on the match as Terry took a quick corner to Aaran who drove it into the near post corner, equalising for Harvest. Minutes later Ali Shakeri laid a pass off for Aaran only to smash it against the post. The game continued to be entertaining and before half time Hightown took the lead again. A mix up between two Omega players led to a quite sloppy goal.
HALF TIME SCORE – HARVEST OMEGA 1 – 2 HIGHTOWN ELITE
SECOND HALF
As the second half began the Omega’s team morale seemed to be high, as they tried to come out quickly in the second half. Both teams looked lively but Omega were slightly on top and got a goal when Steven delivered a superb ball across the box to pick out an unusual goal scorer Damien Beard who jus managed to poke it over the line.
Both teams continued to play some silky football. An accurate long ball from defence by Ozan Sezer picked out Aaran who controlled and went for a one-two pass with Tj which ended in a throw–in. Aaran poised himself for a long throw which ended in Ali disposing the long throw into the back of the net with his head.
Harvest looked to be controlling the game until Hightown counter attacked down the left flank and bursting into the area only for Aaran to produce a last ditch tackle.
Harvest seemed to tire as Hightown piled on more pressure and Scott was forced into a few decent saves. Harvest pushed on looking to see off the game and almost did it as Aaran broke down the left wing over coming two tackles and only to hit the post again. Harvest kept attacking and had a number of corners but no one could finish a decent chance.
One of the resulting corners led to a Hightown break down the left where they got in behind and scored a decisive goal which keeper Scott was so close to saving. Both teams went for the winner but not many openings were found so the game finished in a draw and both teams earned a point in a well played game. A great first point for the new boys.
FULL TIME SCORE – HARVEST OMEGA 3 – 3 HIGHTOWN ELITE
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Damien Beard - Hardly put a foot wrong all game won every header possible. Done his job exceptionally and got a goal out of it. An all around great performance.