Ascension : Ascension Island Football
Submitted by The Islander (Islander Editors) 06.06.2013 (Article Archived on 20.06.2013)

The match started with both teams playing open end to end football with no attempts on goal within the first 10 minutes.

Two Boats Rowdies	1	0	Raiders
	HT 1 - 0
Hugh Smith 15’
			MOM: Tyler Benjamin

Rowdies blow the league wide open as they take the
spoils in a hard fought win

The match started
with both teams playing open end to end football with no attempts on goal
within the first 10 minutes. The first attempt did come when ‘Dewy’ took a free
kick to the right of the penalty area which came back to him and volleyed his
second attempt back at goal for ‘Bluey’ to save. Rowdies had several new
signings on display, two of them Hugh Smith and Joe Hart (not the England
goalie) on each wing were both having good Ascension debuts causing Raiders
lots of problems. GOAL. Hugh collected
the ball and controlled it well with Raiders defenders all around him, he
turned quickly to beat ‘Puc 2’ to get into the penalty area and blasted it into
the roof of the net giving Bagley no chance of saving. Rowdies were now in
control of the game and began to create chances, Hugh had another chance to
score and double the lead when Ben slipped him a pass but he fired over the
bar. A rare first half chance came for Raiders when Rowdies failed to clear and
‘Dewy’ let rip a shot from outside of the area for ‘Bluey’ to parry at the near
post and put out for a corner. Ben was then given a chance to stretch his legs
as a ball was played over the top for him to chase but Ashley who was having a
very good game at the centre of Raiders defence saw the danger and cleared.
After about 30 minutes Raiders started to look more composed on the ball with
Mario Ben, ‘Peaches’ and new signing ‘Consey’ starting to knock the ball around
and open up Rowdies. Another Raiders chance came when Shonray and ’Dewy’ linked
up well for the first time of the match inside Rowdies area but the opportunity
was cleared just pass the post. ‘Dook’ was released on goal after a series of
backward headed flicks from Rowdies midfielders set him free but Ashley who had
ground to make up did so to apply enough pressure to force ‘Dook’ to shoot over
the bar. The first half ended with Raiders putting on the pressure with a
succession of corners but could not convert any of them.

Raiders began the
second half showing their intent to equalise, with Shonray firing wide soon
after the restart. They continued to threat and were camped in the Rowdies half
for over 15 minutes, but could not create any clear cut chances. ‘Consey’ did
however break down the right wing and swung in a cross, which ‘Dewy’ attempted
to guide his half volley into the opposite corner only for the ball to go
inches wide of the angle. 65 minutes in and Rowdies had their first shot of the
second half which Danny Collins blasted over from a corner. Soon after Tyler who
would’ve been more effective higher up the field but was filling in brilliantly
at right back put his own goalkeeper under pressure by forcing Bagley to head a
looping miskick of the line and out to safety. ‘Dook’ was then in on goal,
Raiders defenders were all frozen expecting the offside, but ‘Dook’ continued
only to shoot wide of the post, his blushes were spared when the Ref saw the
Assistant Referees flag and gave an offside. With 20 minutes to go Rowdies took
back control of the game and in an attempt to freshen the team, Raiders brought
on Philly and ‘Kimbo’ for ‘Puc 2’ and ‘Tiddy Bum’. ‘Kimbo’s’ first contribution
to the game was a Yellow Card for a late challenge on ‘Dook’. The resulting
free kick did not trouble Bagley as it rolled wide of his post. Soon after
Philly was called into action when he had to clear off the line with Ben
quickly approaching. Rowdies defenders Stroud and George were having to make
last ditch tackles as Raiders came back again to try and equalise and after
some tough tackling ‘Peaches’ managed to get a shot away only for it to go
sailing over the bar and a ‘Dewy’ curling effort from outside the box was also saved
by ‘Bluey’. Rowdies finished the game on top with Ben firing just pass the post
and ‘Dook’ who had a very good game volleying at goal for Bagley to make a
fingertip save to push the ball over the bar.

This was Raiders
game in hand and a win would’ve seen them almost wrap up the league before the
second round began, but with them dropping points and Rowdies grinding out a
win without their Midfield General ‘Shoe’, other teams will be keeping a keen
eye on Rowdies progress.

This week’s fixtures
are yet to be confirmed due to events occurring over the weekend. As soon as
they have been arranged fixtures will be posted on our Ascension Island
Football Facebook page.