Elysian vs Magical Vegas FC
2 - 3
16 November 2017 · Ken Doherty Memorial Cup
Away cup match played on 16 November 2017.
Kicked off at 8:00 PM
2-3
vs Elysian
Away cup match
The Ken Dougherty cup almost served up a unlikely upset when Elysian's, leading Division 2, pushed premier league side Magical Vegas right to the end in an enthralling encounter.
With Vegas fielding a much-changed side from their previous 2 games (both losses), there were opportunities for players to stake a claim for the big game next week against champions Admiral Islington.
Elysians came out with all guns blazing first half and closed down every pass, harried every player and generally showed much more motivation to win the ball than the Vegas boys. With time on the ball a premium, Vegas struggled to put 3 passes together and the pressure eventually told when a Vegas attack was broken up a quick break away left Vegas exposed at the back. A neat through ball released the striker who fired a rasping shot high past David Willis to put the division 2 side one up. If anything, Vegas were lucky to come in just the one goal down.
When captain Patrick Moore Jones came off injured at half time to be replaced by Tre Thompson the Vegas boys needed some physicality to their play and in the second half that manifested itself in a smart and calm performance. When another injury to Jack Matthews left manager Moore Jones with no choice but to move to 3 at the back the balance of the side improved dramatically. Luke Morgan and Micheal Appiah played perfectly in the wing-back roles with Paul 'Trigz' Reid joining Steven Bruce and Perry Price up front in a dangerous looking attack.
Now playing centre back, Shane McNamara claimed (another) assist when he played in Price down the right channel, he left his attending defenders in his wake before calmly shooting into the far corner to level things up.
Minutes later Vegas took the lead when a McNamara long-throw - that had been causing all sorts of problems for the opposition defence was headed in by one of their own players.
Now controlling the game Vegas looked at ease and Shazad Latif made his first appearance in over a year to add some glamour to the tie. Man of the match Hussein Hussein was marshalling the side expertly but it was a foul near the edge of the area on 86 minutes offered a glimmer of hope for the opposition. The free-kick snuck in at the far-post with goalie Willis angry at himself - perhaps harshly - that it hit the back of the net.
Nevertheless, Vegas weren't to be beaten, Price (again) found space down the right, he showed a VERY clean pair of heels to the all those attending and crossed perfectly across goal for the delighted 'Trigz' to tap in at the far post and celebrate his recent comeback with a winning goal.
They will need to have their heads in the right place if they are to achieve any kind of result against Admiral next week.