Disappointing Vegas Performance Lets Chasing Pack Back In With Title Shot

<p>Vegas patchy form in 2016 continued with a disappointing, and largely self-inflicted, draw against bottom of the table Hilltop. <br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" />Despite Vegas dominating the opening stages , winning the ball high up the pitch and controlling possession, there was a lack of cutting edge to their attacking play and they rarely threatened the untested Hilltop keeper during a frustrating 1st period.<br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" />Hilltop, containing decent pace and trickery on the wings, played very much on the counter and looked for the long ball into the channels wherever possible. It was a tactic that was largely ineffective throughout the game which made their opening goal, coming after one of Vegas many defensive mix ups, all the more galling. Coming mid way through the first half, it was a wake up call Vegas badly needed. They shuffled their pack, with Latif taking up a more advanced possession to allow Loblak and McNamara to return to their more familiar positions at centre back and centre midfield respectively. The change in shape brought about a swift improvement and Vegas took control of proceedings with 2 goals towards the end of the first half. Bruce slammed in the equalised after good work on the left by Triggz before Hussein bundled home the second after some serious goalkeeper spillage from a Bruce free kick. <br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" />As the ref blew up for half time perhaps the Vegas lads thought the game was all but won. A lack of focus and desire crept into proceedings second half and when Hilltop equalised after more dilly dallying at the back it was not undeserved. A finely taken goal from Latif briefly made it 3-2 before the reward of a contentious penalty, duly dispatched, and a speedy counter attack from Hilltop made it 4-3 with little more than 10 minutes to go. A fine equaliser from Morgan evened things up almost immediately but it was to be the last goal of a shambolic affair for the league leaders.