The top 2 faced off at Waikaraka Park With Stallions down on numbers. Few were expecting a home win with Stallions missing their talismanic manager/captain Hamish Miller who was away on urgent business...
The game started slowly but the award of a blatant penalty got the temperatures up. Andy bursting into the box had his legs taken away and Rob Kidd stepped up to stroke home the spot kick. Stallions were making progress down both flanks and some good work down the left saw Rob Kidd in the clear and he slotted home for his and Stallions' second goal.
A few juicy challenges from both sides saw a number of free kicks for a change as the game heated up. Soon Stallions were three up when Geoff burst clear on the right and finished well into the corner.
Half time was fast approaching when Fuji got a lifeline. A high ball in from distance dropped unluckily over Jiah in goals who'd kept everything out until that point.
Half time 3-1
Fuji came out strong in the second half and got a second when a mix up in defence saw their striker through on goal to score. Stallions dug in though and some hesitancy from the Fuji keeper gave Casey Eden the opportunity to nip in, steal the ball and square it for Gartside to tap in from about 6cm.
This sapped the confidence of the away team and the final nail was hammered in when Gartside whipped a cross into the middle that eluded everyone and nestled into the corner.
By far our toughest game of the season and definitely our best performance.
Final score 5-2.
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