Harrys FC : Match Report v. Burger King on 06 April 2009

2009-04-25T21:31:00.000-07:00

Monday 6th April 2009
Division 1 Play Off Semi-Final
Atlantic Star 3 Burger King 5
Maguire
Marler
Glasgow

Murray
Holian
Leach
Glasgow
Maguire
Marler
Fraser
Carlowe
Doherty
Jack

As the games get bigger and tougher it was time for Atlantic Star to face up to the team that are fancied to win the Division 1 Play Offs. Burger King came into the game with an intimidating 13-0 statistic during the season. The team was filled with Cayman internationals and it was never going to be a game for the faint hearted. A good numbers of onlookers were in attendance, a fair number cheering for the underdogs.

Star again were short in numbers and it was going to take an almighty team effort to get through this fixture unscathed. Manager Atterbury was ready to take the game to the opposition and lined up with a two one two formation. The one area that Burger King were potentially weak was between the sticks and it was important that Star look to get goals to give themselves a chance.

The game started rather predictably with Burger King having the lion’s share of possession but the Star players held them at bay well and were happy to allow them to move the ball around without making too much progress. At the same time the Atlantic Star players were following the manager’s instruction and shooting on sight, but the Burger King keeper was equal to Star‘s efforts.

Unfortunately with the quality in the BK side, it only takes a temporary lapse to get punished and with their first really clear opportunity they made no mistake to edge in front. A second goal followed minutes later to give the opposition a comfortable advantage. Star could have capitulated easily at this point but if there was one thing that the team have developed over the season it is a strong resolve and they were not ready to concede any more ground prior to the half time whistle. Murray back from his distant travels was having an excellent game, stopping numerous strikes from the Burger King forwards.

The second half began brightly for Star and within a couple of minutes Maguire had extended his season tally to fourteen goals with a rocket of a finish, and suddenly Burger King knew they were in for a match. Despite weary legs Star continued to battle for everything and even to witness Doherty as far back as his own area throwing in tackles was a testament to how much every player wanted to win this match.

Looking for an equaliser Star still had to keep on their guard against quick Burger King breaks. But with age and fitness on the side of Burger King’s 16 year old protégé, Holian struggled to match him for pace and sprinting down the left he finished well giving Murray no chance.

But still the game was far from over. Marler who was getting a rough time against the side he had looked all set to join before the season began, was chomping at the bit to prove he made the right decision. And with a strong run down the left whilst shouldering off the opposition’s defenders, he rocketed a shot into the back of the net to again reduce the deficit to one goal.

But unfortunately soon after he was to see no more of the play as a confrontation with the referee brought out a red card for the Canadian for dissent. It was a harsh decision especially as he was getting very little protection from the referee, but he was to be patrolled out of the building and Star were left to see the game out with just nine players left.

However just as many may have given up hope, step up the team’s captain to really throw a spanner in the works. Another firm finish from Glasgow sailed past the Burger King keeper and from the dead, Star had fought their way back into the match with just five minutes remaining. Suddenly there was much enthusiasm around the park as people thought that the biggest shock in the season could be about to happen.

But football can be a cruel game and it took less than a minute for Burger King to fire home a shot from the right hand side. As the cliché goes you’re always at your most vulnerable after scoring and so it proved here.

The clock ticked on and Star tried to throw everything at the opposition, but with weary legs Burger King were looking comfortable to hold on. And to really rub salt in the wound a fifth goal was added with a shot straight down the middle. Star had prevented any such opportunities for the entire game but there was nothing left in the tanks at this stage to stop this.

So the season comes to an end but a lot of positives need to be taken from it. A total of ten wins out of fourteen games is not a bad return and with defeats to just Burger King, RCC and UBS the players know they have done as well as they could possibly have hoped prior to the start of the season. The question remains as to who Star can hold on to ahead of the next season, but should they manage to retain the services of the majority of this squad, with a couple of strong additions there is no reason why they can’t challenge again in the summer league.