Magical Vegas FC vs Islington 49ers
2 - 7
25 April 2017 · Invitation Cup
Home cup match played on 25 April 2017.
Kicked off at 8:00 PM
2-7
vs Islington 49ers
Home cup match
Islington 49r's smashed seven past a hapless Vegas side that showed little in the invitation Cup semi-final. In truth, the score could have been worse and Vegas will hope they can overcome this defeat to turn up next week in the Ken Dogherty Memorial cup semi-final against White City Wanderers.
The game started well for Vegas as they robbed the 49r's midfield and Patrick Moore Jones played a one-two with Paul 'Trigz' Reid but as he was about to pull the trigger in the box a defender learnt into him putting him off balance. That was about as dangerous as it got in the whole game from Vegas.
Moments later Islington were 2 up with carbon copy goalmouth scrambles as Vegas switched off at set-pieces. A third came shortly after after a Vegas attacking free-kick was swiftly countered and tucked away by the potent 49r's attack.
Jacob bond found a neat flick to try to release striker Ricardo Beckford and his pressure resulted in a 49r's defender heading past his own goalie but they quickly restored their three goal lead some clever hold up play and a defensive mistake.
At half-time Vegas needed to restore some pride but the game continued in the same fashion. The original back 3 had been shifted into a back 4 after the second goal to try and keep a better defensive solidity. It didn't halt the attacking play of Islington with both midfield and defence grew frustrated with the lack of cohesion of the the team.
Chances for Islington continued throughout the half and a steady flow of goals continued. When sub Mikes Appiah was red carded minutes after coming on the game was lost and the side tried to just keep the ball and use the pace of sub Erol Resat and Beckford, now on the left wing.
It was Resat with 5 minutes left who fired an unstoppable free-kick in off the post from 25 yards out that was the only bright spark in what was a dark day in Vegas' history. They must change the attitude they have for their upcoming fixture if they are to restore some pride in what could possibly be the last game of their season.