Guantanamo Restore Pride Against League Leaders

9th April 2008

Racing Guantanamo made positive steps in their bid to restore some of their dented pride against league leaders Broome City in an entertaining and hard-fought clash at BRAC last night.

With doubts lingering over the fitness of vice captain Tim Gray, and Adam Shanley out on international duty, it was always going to be a tough encounter for the Mighty Oranges who were still reeling over the shock retirement of star defender Dan Walker.

George Perera was still out with a serious calf injury that had already sidelined him for two weeks, while Joel Hamling went on trial with Slovenian club Primorje Ajdovščina.

Guantanamo showed they still have the ability to open the chequebook with what proved to be a shrewd signing in the form of Irishman Joe Tighe who slotted into the side as a holding midfielder.

The match started off in hectic fashion with Guantanamo scoring an early goal through new signing Tighe who smashed the ball past the City keeper to the delight of the Orange fans. The Irishman proved to be a handful for City in defence and attack, getting back to protect the impressive Francois Kruger in goals.

Indeed, Kruger looked to be back to his award-winning form after last weeks horrible 14-1 defeat, stopping several stinging City shots and seeding doubt into the hearts of the Broome City players.

With Broome player Bill Shaw becoming increasingly frustrated, and infighting and sniping occuring in the City ranks, the Oranges pushed forward for another goal before half time. The tactic, while putting enourmous pressure on the league leaders defence, proved to be Guantanamo’s undoing, with players mindsets on attacking allowing Shaw in the midfield a metre of space to smash the ball past a bemused Kruger in goals.

With the goal occurring just before halftime, Guantanamo went into the break wondering how they had managed to concede at such an inopportune time.

Coming into the second half, the Oranges pushed forward once more, again receiving a reward via another Tighe goal. The Irishman was pushing for his claim for a regular first team place.

Tim Gray managed to shake off the calf injury that has plagued him for the last few weeks to make regular subs onto the pitch to help out the teams cause with a solid display in defence, while captain Ryan Platten moved back and forward from defence to attack as needed. Chris Hingston again proved reliable in stopping many Broome attacks, getting in the way of several key balls.

With Guantanamo seemingly looking in control, Broome again came back with another quick goal, silencing the mainly Orange crowd who wondered if Guantanamo could hold on for the point. It was not to be, with what was nearly the final play of the game, Stephen Shaw wound his way past three Orange players and slotted it into the Guantanamo goal to make it 3-2 and put the result beyond doubt.

As the match came to an end, the Guantanamo players exited the pitch secure in the knowledge that they had restored some of their bruised and battered pride.

Racing Guantanamo Matchday Squad
Ryan PLATTEN, Tim GRAY, Francois KRUGER, Jon FALCONER, Chris HINGSTON, Joe TIGHE

Final Score
Racing Guantanamo 2 – 3 Broome City

Attendance
9