Guantanamo Fight to the End In Entertaining Match

Tuesday 18th September 2007

AFC Racing Guantanamo restored some of their dented pride by giving as good as they got in an entertaining match against league leaders Hagen’s Heroes. Despite losing the match 6-2, Guantanamo often looked the better team with some sublime counter-attacking football rendering the Heroes’ defence impotent.

Guantanamo welcomed back influential midfielder Tim Gray as well as strong centre-back Dan Walker, who had been missing for almost 4 weeks as a result of a hamstring injury. The Oranges were again without the speedy Tim Rowe who was rested, but incorporated the skills and quick pace of the “Bidgie Badger” Terrance Jack into the centre of the park.

The match began slowly, with Guantanamo captain Ryan Platten blasting his team for not talking, as some communication slips resulted in a few heart stopping moments when the Heroes’ attack peppered the goal of Francois Kruger but luckily to no avail.

The Heroes finally broke down the Guantanamo defence with two quick goals, but it was a testimony to the heart of the team when Guantanamo stepped up a gear to pull off a five pass counter attack which resulted in one of the best goals of this season. Fans on the sideline likened Sam McGinn’s finish of the team move to the Argentina goal of the 2006 World Cup.

Soon after, Guantanamo made it 2 a piece as the quick pace of Jack connected with the cross of Joel Hamling to stun the Heroes supporters. Hamling and McGinn were showing why they are rapidly becoming one of the leagues best strikeforce partnerships as they constantly pressed the Heroes defence with their silky running and passing.

A suspicious penalty gifted the Heroes the lead once more as goalkeeper Kruger was adjudged to have brought down one of the Heroes players in the box, and the Oranges were on the back foot again.

The Heroes finished off another 2 goals to go into half time at 5-2.

The second half of the match was a different story, as Guantanamo resolutely blocked every Red attack, while providing the forwards with some excellent passes which almost resulted in a few goals. Kruger in the Orange goal was also proving why he is so highly rated, with some important saves keeping out the Heroes time and time again.

Tim Gray battled hard in midfield and then dropped back to shore up the defence and allow Jack to push into midfield to support the attack. Jon Falconer and Luke Turner played their usual tough game, running all over the park to continuously win the ball for Guantanamo in some important areas. Nathan Bell and David Aristei provided some steel for the Oranges in the final minutes of the match, providing support for their team where it was needed most.

Guantanamo again proved why they are known as the most fair team in the league, constantly calling their own fouls and playing with a positive attitude that the B-Liga is not usually known for.

The result sees Guantanamo still rooted to the bottom of the table with only two games to go, but fans are hopeful that results will come before the end. The team are constantly improving, and some sections of the media have noted that the team may be a thorn in the side of the other teams in the next few weeks.

Racing Guantanamo Matchday Squad
PLATTEN Ryan, GRAY Tim, WALKER Dan, BELL Nathan, JACK Terrance, ARISTEI David, MCGINN Sam, HAMLING Joel, KRUGER Francois, FALCONER Jonathon, TURNER Luke

Final Score
AFC Racing Guantanamo 2 – 6 Hagen’s Heroes

Attendance
12