Coming off the back of our confidence boosting win against Immanuel, our boys had moved up to 6th on the ladder, and with this week’s opponents Rostrevor in 7th I think everyone was keen to try to snare a victory against a team who’ve generally had the better of us in the lower divisions.

The forecast was cold & wet, which usually means slugging it out in the mud at Rossies, so I think most of us were surprised to find the pitches in pretty damn good condition for the game.

The selection merry-go-round continued for Steve, with just 7 changes from last week’s squad.. It can never be said that everyone doesn’t get a go in the D’s, as 34 players have already had a run this season!

The starting line-up though was one of the strongest seen this season. Glyn was in goals again, with Eddie, Rob, Tomas & the Prez at the back. The midfield was Saber, Manny, Philip & the returning Somi & up front we had Chad & Benny.

Steve asked the boys to play short passes, stay calm & enjoy themselves before the game, and enjoy themselves they did. I was running the line in the first half & on a few occasions there I got caught up just enjoying the football that was being played.

For about 20 minutes Rostrevor barely touched the ball, as we controlled all facets of the game. The passing was crisp & calm, we moved the ball across the back & our wingers were getting behind the Rostrevor defence. Perhaps our shooting could do with a little work, but hey.. Nobody’s perfect.

The first goal was a lovely piece of play between Tomas & Manny who then released Phillip, who skinned his defender before teeing up a lovely low, hard cross into the box – Chad did the rest, to finish with the outside of his boot.. Lovely.

Rostrevor did get themselves going a bit after this but our defence held firm all their chances were from outside the box.

About mid-way through the half, the hard working Somi was spent & was replaced by Bobby.. But it was a solid cameo from the big fella.

At the half, Steve was pretty happy, but he did remind the boys that they probably should have been 5 up, not 1 & to keep the pressure up.
Manny was surprisingly given a rest at the half after performing well in a central role, but that gave me a chance to have a run (sorry Manny).

Early in the second half Rostrevor came at us pretty hard, but the more they committed forward the more exposed they were at the back. Our wingers were tearing strips out of the Rostrevor defence, particularly Phil, who managed to net 2 second half goals & forced the keeper to make a number of fine saves.

Saber also got on the score sheet & when Darren & Wez came on (for Tomas & Chad) the holes in the exhausted Rostrevor defence really opened up.

Bobby, Saber, Eddie & Benny all had further chances to score but didn’t. Unsurprisingly Wez however did get himself on the score sheet to end an utterly enjoyable 5 nil result.

It’s hard to name a best, but perhaps Saber or Phil took the points. I know our opposition weren’t great, but the football that’s being played at the moment really is excellent. We’re executing the game plans that our coach has asked us to & more than anything, we’re having fun playing this way.

Well done boys, it was a great result.. Now we’ve got a week off before some tough games against Uni SA and Unley.

Hope to see you all out on the track. That’s it.

Saf