Tight Game Ends In Defeat For Valiant Vegas

<p>A second meeting with Cricklewood u21's in as many league games for Magical Vegas FC ended with defeat but in very contrasting circumstances than previously experiences 3 weeks ago. The shambles that unfolded before was forgotten and a performace that they could be proud of was not rewarded as Vegas struggle to get points on the board in the Premier Division.

<p>In the first 10minutes Vegas could have gone 3 up with chances for Steven Bruce and Patrick Moore Jones not being finished as they perhaps should have done. Nonethless, Vegas' pressing was impressive and their workrate and desire unquestionable. But, after 15mins a corner was met powerfully by a Cricklewood CB who put his side undeservingly in the lead. Vegas continued to press and when Nick Loblack swung in a perfect cross from a free-kick, Moore Jones got his head to the ball before the onrushing goalie and brought his side level at 1-1. However, not long after, an individual mistake at the back for Vegas was painfully punished as their striker had a clear run at goal an cooly slotted the ball between the goalies legs to re-take the lead.

<p>By now the tempo had slowed slightly and tackles became more aggressive as players tried to win their 50-50s. Both Moore Jones and Kaleb King, who had only just returned for his first start of the season, were injured with King being replaced by Mikes Appiah. Not before, man of the match Shane McNamara had burst forward from right back and nutmegged a defender with his pass to Steven Bruce who blasted home into the roof of the net from a tight angle to draw level again just before half time.

<p>Vegas started the 2nd half without the same intensity as the first but took the lead when Mark Maher played a slide pass for Paul 'Trigz' Reid to hammer home powerfully in the bottom corner to make it 3-2 and their first lead in the game. Vegas needed to keep concentration for 10minutes but were undone again direct from a corner when a Cricklewood player lept unchallanged on the edge of the 6 yard box and headed in to equalise. Vegas still pushed on and began creating chances that were unfortnatly not being taken and when a long ball created indecision between goalie and CB a Crickelwood attacker capitalised and passed into an empty net despite the desperate dive of Vegas defenders. With Vegas throwing men forward chances came and went a number of times in the last 10minutes with 2 clearances off the line and luck playing a part in Vegas losing a tense battle.

<p>Their next challenge is against top of the league Islington 49's who beat them 5-0 in preseason, if they can maintain concentration fro 90mins they will have a chance of avenging that defeat in the Premier League and get their season up and running.