Rd 4 v Bestest Friends and Tom

Starting line-up mayhem before kick-off. Going into the game with the same squad as last week, we were hit with a late out just 70 minutes before kick-off, with Fatlind unable to play. Ringing around at such short notice, we couldn’t find a 6th player… until fate stepped in.

Driving to the game, we received a message from a long-lost player saying his game had been called off and he was free. The reply was simple — “Can you make it to Kingsway in 50 minutes?” Sure enough, Dave Wainwright arrived and gave the team the extra legs needed.

Rocking our new sponsor on the back of the shirts, the boys were pumped and ready.

From the first whistle, Bestest Friends and Tom came hard at Rosso Nero FC. The opening four minutes were relentless pressure, with attacks coming one after another. Every shot was blocked, stopped, or missed as we weathered the storm.

Then from our first real attack, sweet team passing created an opening and we struck first.

Straight from their kick-off, they piled the pressure on again searching for an equaliser, but once again we stood strong. Then from our second clear attack and second shot on goal — bang, another goal. More passing, more movement, and teamwork they simply couldn’t contain.

From there we broke their resilience. Their attacks became limited to long balls and counters while Rosso Nero FC took complete control. Shortly after, Amir stepped up and buried an excellent free kick for our third.

The fourth came within minutes through more elite ball movement and pure class football. Then the fifth… what can you say? More passing, more movement, and Dan completed his first-half hat trick in style.

Every finish left the keeper with no chance.

Half-time message was simple: Keep going. Keep passing. Drop back on counters. Enjoy the second half and don’t let them in.

The second half started with more pressure from Bestest Friends and Tom, but once again Rosso Nero FC’s teamwork took over.

Goals flowed again with Christian and Dave both getting on the scoresheet.

Then came goal of the night.

A long ball from CJ in goals found Amir’s feet in the opposition half. Amir’s first touch controlled it perfectly before laying it off first time to Dan charging through. Dan hit it first time into the top corner. Absolute class. The keeper had no chance and the opposition were left stunned.

8-0 up with 10 minutes remaining.

Unfortunately, we switched off slightly and Bestest Friends and Tom finally got their breakthrough. From the weakest shot of the night, CJ got a foot to it and thought it was drifting wide, only for it to sneak in off the post.

No panic though. Our next attack ended with Christian walking the ball over the line to restore the margin.

With five minutes left and the game well in control, we stopped defending with the same intensity and conceded twice more from 3-on-1 situations, both finished well into the top corner.

At 9-3 with two minutes remaining, Dan stepped up one last time to finish another brilliant team move and seal the match 10-3.

Overall, an outstanding performance full of teamwork, connection, movement, and finishing. Even with the late out, everyone stepped up and went into overdrive.

Big thanks to sponsors: Hanna Lending Services and Northside Texture Coatings.

Highlights on YouTube.

See you all next week.