Gambling Vegas Strike It Lucky

<p>A much changed Magical Vegas FC gambled with the opportunity to play a cup quarter final with a tight victory against Division 2 high flyers Fullback FC in the Ken Dougherty Memorial Cup last night.&nbsp;<p>The opportunity for players to stake a claim for a starting birth in upcoming games seemed to play on the minds of players who had had little opportunity to show what they were capable of in recent weeks.&nbsp;<p>However, Vegas came out the traps quickly and went 2-0 up in the opening 20 minutes. Firstly, Erol Resat brilliantly controlled a long kick upfield from Matthew Summers and slotted past an onrushing goalie. Secondly, Patrick Moore Jones had a kind break of the ball fall at his feet on the half-way line, he ran straight at goal and 'dinked' the ball over the keeper to put the 'Vegas Boys' two up.<p>Immediately Fullback became more aggressive and their powerful and direct attackers where causing problems with their skill and strength. Vegas slacked off mentally and allowed a few chances at goal, but man of the match Matthew Summers made a string of fabulous saves to maintain the two goal lead. Eventually he was beaten when a free-kick (one of many) was scrambled to the edge of the box but was struck sweetly into the bottom corner by the opposing striker.&nbsp;<p>Vegas didn't really deserve to come in 2-1 up at the break and some harsh words were said at half-time as players needed to know the standards they set in the first half were not good enough for this talented team.&nbsp;<p>The second half started much brighter with Vegas passing the ball around nicely and they began fashioning chances almost at will against an inexperienced Fullback defence. However, those chances were not taken and that gave Fullback hope who looked dangerous with their unpredictable play and tricky strikers. Luke Morgan, playing in an unfamiliar left-back role for the injured Fabio De Jesus, played with aplomb against their most dangerous attacker, regularly winning the ball and winning free-kicks to relieve pressure.<p>Finally Vegas pressure told and Resat added to his first half goal with a low left-footed strike from the edge of the box. Substitutions to shore up the midfield were made by Vegas replacing striker Steven Bruce with Micheal Appiah to combine with midfield duo Moore Jones and the consistently good Aaron Pedro. However, Fullback started launching balls and throwing men forward and a scrappy goal was conceded after a knockdown fell kindly to an opposition attacker to score to make it a close game once more.&nbsp;<p>Vegas had to fight until the last whistle to maintain their lead and managed the last 5 minutes well to hold on to a place in the quarter final against Regents Rovers, last years winners in this competition.<p>Vegas players will need to have a long think about how much they want to win something this year if they are going to be serious threat in this competition. It is just 3 wins away....