Match Reports

A big dent in Rope's hope of runners up spot as Piranhas closed the gap to 2 points with games in hand. As a match it was probably the strangest thing I have seen in the past 4 years. With the regular pitch underwater and no offer to the Rope to switch or postpone, the home side dished up a pitch suitable in size only for U7s and without a measure we can only guess that if it was within limits it was very marginal.

After the visitors had dug up several large stones which threatened players safety the game got under way. The players of both sides put in admirable performances in the circumstances but time on the ball was at a premium due to the size of the pitch and passing almost completely disappeared.

Goalkeepers were dominant as the long boot became the choice of attack for both sides and Piranhas had the advantage here as their keeper had the ability to put the ball one bounce into the Rope penalty area. The only problems the keepers had was staying within the reduced size penalty boxes, made even more difficult by the absence of a single straight line.Time after time their kick outs went for a goal kick at the opposite end.

The only incident of note were the 2 goals, the first a fine shot from the edge of the box (8 yards!) after the Rope defenders hesitated at a corner and a second half goal superbly fired in from an acute angle out wide left.

We can't take anything away from Piranhas players, on the day they took their chances and coped better with the conditions but as one of the top sides in the league they deserve better than this. Finally, a mention for the much maligned referee:- the one we had today was a top bloke, great with the kids and let the game flow as much as possible.Steve Kennedy