Nothing Magical About Elysian's

A cup game over a decent lower division side gave Magical Vegas a perfect warm up for bigger tests in the future in 2019 last week.

Starting with a re-shuffled midfield the game got off to the worst start when Deondre Dewar, who was only filling in to help the side last minute, rolled the already damaged ankle in the 2nd minute.

This momentarily brought Vegas down to 10 men as sub midfielder, PatricK Moore Jones had to et ready before he could replace the injured midfielder.

After an initial period of disruption Vegas began to exert their greater passing and movement over their lower league opponents. Captain Jacob Bond, was again at the heart of most of their dangerous play and when a quick change of possession found him in the final third his slide pass released Perry Price on goal who's simple one touch finish lifted the ball over the on outrushing goalie.

On the opposite flank the pace of Kadeem Gutzmore had been causing their opponents difficulties. 5 minutes after the opening goal, he went 'the long way round' his defender on the byline and cut back to Abiola Baloqun who fired low left-footed to make it 2-0.

Vegas began to enjoy their football as they remembered when they do they usually play at their best.

The should have and perhaps could have played 10% more simply and come in at half-time more than two up. Nevertheless, after half-time Bond found space in the centre of the pitch and released Gutzmore who made it 3-0 and put the game to bed.

Defensively the partnership of Hussein and Sam Bader with full-backs Harry Pedersen and Alby Miller rarely looked troubled. They combined calm, powerful and dominant tackling to sniff out any attacks and quickly turn the ball over to their midfielders.

Price moved up top for the final 30 minutes with Aaron Pedro coming off the bench for Baloqun. He scored his second from (another) Bond through ball and a short corner which evaded everyone and went in at the far post to notch (another) hat-trick for Vegas and earn the man of the match award.

They will need to play with the same fluency, determination and mental toughness against next weeks opponents, Dover Castle in a top of the league clash that could spring a good run towards regaining their place near the top of the table.