Rnd 6

Friday 21 May
Russell Vale 7 v 0 Kiama

The last time we played Kiama was in 2008 and they had just beaten us in the Grand Final, so the Cobras were really up for this game. Right from the kick off Kiama were on the back foot and I think it must have been 10mins before they even touched the ball. Though they started the game a man short Kiama’s rear guard action managed to keep the Cobras at bay for almost 25 mins. A goal mouth scramble nearly produced the first goal and soon after a free kick from Hayden Brown was tipped round the post. Then 10mins before HT a neat passing move involving several players ended with Hayden Brown setting up Matt Neslson to make it 1-0. Soon after a Hayden Brown shot rebounded into the path of Matt Nelson to make it 2-0. Then on the stroke of HT Hayden Brown set up Matt Nelson for his hat-trick and to give Russell Vale a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Warning against complacency at half time, Russell Vale came out all guns firing and it wasn’t long before Hayden Brown set up Matt Nelson once again to make it 4-0. Just to prove he is human after all Matt then missed a sitter before Chris Behan set him up with goal No.5. Chris Behan also went close with several efforts at goal but failed to find the target. Nathan Hennessy continued his run of hard luck in front of goal when a superb turn and shot hit the inside of the post but unfortunately rebounded to safety. Then the surprise of the evening came when Coen MacKay stole in at the far post to make it 6-0 (I guess we will be hearing about that goal for a long time to come). With the clock running down Hayden Brown once again was the provider for Matt “The Neslonator” to add his sixth goal and make the final score 7-0 on the night.

Besides those players involved with the goals it was an excellent team performance and highlights the strength we have in the squad especially when you consider we had several key players unavailable for the game. Kurtis Trindall and Jawad Khan were both calm and composed in the centre of defence, plus Nathan Armstrong’s telepathic prowess in midfield had to be seen to be believed. Jean Paul our new signing from Columbia made his debut but will need to time to adapt to a different style of football, get used to his new team mates and adjust to the Aussie culture.

Regards,

Shaun Hamlet