Historic Night for Guantanamo Heroes

15/5/08

It was a night of firsts for the heroes in Orange last night, as Racing Guantanamo picked up a third win in a row and their very first clean sheet.

A few nervous fans were seen around the BRAC Stadium as the Guantanamo team sheet revealed that the team would again be without influential vice captain Tim Gray who was still out with a calf injury, and Irishman Jo Tighe, who had been such a revelation for the club after signing three weeks ago.

The Mustangs were set to prove a tough opponent as both sides had traded insults throughout the week in the lead up to the so-called “Most Likeable Teams Derby”.  

Guantanamo began with a surprise addition to the squad, with former Chelsea man Ken Goatley making an appearance in the famous orange top.

The match began at a cracking pace and continued all the way through with quick substitutions by both teams ensuring fresh legs throughout the game.

George Pereira, the Cape Verde Island Wonder, looked to be a tad off his game, as shot after shot went wide or over the bar. The big man looked increasingly frustrated at his lack of goals as the game wore on.

Guantanamo continued the flowing style of play that has seen them pick up six points from their last two games, and the Mustangs seemed unable to cope with the sheer determination from the men in Orange to pressure and shut down any opposition players.

Scotsman Adam Shanley opened the scoring for Guantanamo after three minutes, and added to his account another three times throughout the game making him the top scorer in the team.

The Mustangs were fired up, and continually threatened the Guantanamo backline, but captain Ryan Platten and Goatley managed to marshall the defence into it's best performance ever.

Francois Kruger in goals put on another impressive display, blocking several key Mustang attacks and providing a solid presence at the back, organising his defence when they looked like they were not in the right positions.

With Jon Falconer providing a swift counter attacking option, Guantanamo looked to have the match sewn up. Platten added another two to the score, while guest-signing Goatley scored an absolute screamer of a shot, which hammered its way past the hapless Mustangs keeper.

Chris Hingston showed that he is improving each week, managing to foil several Mustang attacks and looking more confident as the weeks wear on, while Andy Smyth is proving to be a shrewd signing, giving the Orange midfield some muscle and physical presence, as well as a degree of footballing know-how which has been missing from the squad in the last few months.

With the final whistle echoing around the stadium, the Guantanamo players and fans went wild, knowing they are now on the longest winning streak in the clubs history. With next weeks match certain to be a forfeit by Hagen’s Heroines, Guantanamo go into the final week of the competition knowing that they could well take 12 points from a possible 12, but frustrated that they couldn’t find their form earlier in the season where they could have picked up a possible championship.

Racing Guantanamo Matchday Squad
Ryan PLATTEN, Francois KRUGER, Andy SMYTH, Adam SHANLEY, Jon FALCONER, George PEREIRA, Ken GOATLEY, Chris HINGSTON

Final Score
Racing Guantanamo AFC 9 – 0 Mustangs

Attendance
5