RD 18 Match Report – Rosso Nero FC vs Merendinho

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A familiar opponent… a fresh line‑up… and a night full of heart.

Round 18 saw us face Merendinho for the fifth time this season, and this one came with a twist before the whistle even blew.

With Sean unavailable and no longer able to play, a call was made to a familiar face—the return of former Rosso Nero FC player Jon McGinty. Not long after, Marcus was ruled out due to work commitments, and Alessio stepped up to fill the gap. A reshuffled team, but one ready for the challenge.

And with a new-look team came a new-look strip. Wearing next season’s kit for the first time, the boys looked sharp and felt even better. There was a bounce in the step and belief in the air as we lined up against the top-of-the-table Merendinho.

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First Half – A Battle of Inches

The opening half was a grind. Both sides fired shots, both sides created chances, but neither could land the early blow.

Rosso Nero FC carved out several clear opportunities—some just wide, some denied by the keeper. As the half ticked into its final minutes, the physicality ramped up. Fouls were given, fouls were missed, and Nuno copped more than his fair share.

Finally, with four minutes left, the breakthrough came. A short corner found Nuno, who was taken out as he shaped to shoot. Penalty.

Nuno stepped up and buried it.

1–0 Rosso Nero FC.

But with 59 seconds left in the half, Merendinho struck back from a switch of play and a back‑post finish.

1–1 at the break.

The halftime message was simple:

Take our chances. Track the runners. Stay composed.

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Second Half – Heat, Heart, and Hard Luck

The second half picked up exactly where the first left off—physical, tense, elbows and shoves in every contest. After enduring foul after foul, even Nuno eventually snapped back, returning some of the bumps he’d been absorbing all night.

We pushed hard, created chances, but couldn’t beat their keeper. Merendinho countered and found a second goal.

Still, the boys didn’t drop their heads. We kept pressing, and the pressure finally forced a yellow card—Merendinho down to four players for two minutes. We threw everything forward searching for the equaliser.

Then came the moment no one saw coming.

With 20 seconds left in the power play, a long ball from their keeper bounced through. CJ shaped to leave it for a goal kick… but the ball flicked his little finger and rolled into the net.

A true SALAMI moment.

3–1 down from nothing.

Back to full strength, Merendinho caught us on the counter again. The ball appeared out, but play continued, and they slotted a fourth at the back post.

We kept fighting, kept attacking, but the second goal wouldn’t come.

Final score: 4–1.

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A Night of Spirit, Fight, and Character

The scoreboard didn’t reflect the effort. The heart was there. The never‑give‑up attitude was there. On another night, with our chances taken, this is a very different result.

But that’s football.

We regroup, we reset, and we go again next week.

Heads up, Rosso Nero FC. The spirit tonight was outstanding.

Highlights on YouTube.

See you next week.

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