It was all eyes on Flinders Street for the late kick off after a busy mid week double tournament for the Under 9 warriors. With Tinashe, Shea and Kudzai unavailable and John on a warm weather training camp it was down to a small squad of 8 to repeat their heroics from earlier in the season against a sturdy Vision side.
The kick off was met with a ferocious start with a battling Captain Fantastic Ryan setting his stall out as the man to do all the sweeping up and keep the midfield compact. With the opening 5 minutes seeing a well set up Vision getting into Roma's box it was Stalwart Sam who made some excellent saves and blocks to keep the score 0-0. With Roma continuing their press the ball fell to Evan in the box who managed to push it home on the 7th minute to give Roma a deserved 1-0 lead, the smile said it all as the boys wheeled away in delight.
Vison continued to cause Roma problems with some fine balls threaded through midfield however Alfie, returning to the back, lapped up every chance Vision created and snuffed them out time and time again. It was a fiery tackle from a highly effective JP that freed up the ball and set a fine run of play which saw Harry through on goal and there could only ever be one outcome - 2-0 - the Roma faithful celebrated, Harry playing the pantomime villain goaded the opposition fans and that set the atmoshpere red hot. Euphoric.
With the first half closing it was the introduction of Kaden for JP that saw the young Milky Bar kid get lashings of praise from the fans for a majestic performance as he took his drink for a well deserved rest. Warrior. Kaden not waiting for a minute got stuck right in showing no fear piling through the Vision midfield.
HT - 2-0. Roma showing no mercy.
As the second half kicked off the ever battling Joe, determined to shrug the nice guy reputation went in tough on his opponent winning the battle and finishing with a death stare that wouldn't go amiss in a boxing press conference. Don't mess with a furious Furlong when he's in a prime football mood. Dangerous.
With the game being played back and forth and Roma playing some excellent football with some world class passing Vision found themselves through but for Sam to take control of the situation with a well handled save. The quick thinking Cat saw the opportunity to send the ball upfield where Evan used the bounce of the ball to cheekily dink the ball over a stranded Vision goalkeeper, his face said the lot, his dad was gobsmacked, Shield's melted. 3-0. Incredible.
With the game heading toward a Roma win it would have been forgiven if the Roma boys took it easy but this was never on the agenda for Harry who through some brilliant play bagged Roma's 4th. Not content with a brace, Harry carried on searching for his hattrick and this came just 2 minutes after his second giving Roma a 5-0 lead. Dominant.
With Vision continuing to press it was a penalty that managed to elude Sam followed by a well taken goal after some great play that made the game finish 5-2.
Roma playing beyond any expectation every single week sees them claiming their 7th win in 8 league games. Unbelievable.
It was Chairman Pato who had to step in and stop an arguing coaching team over man of the match with every single boys name brought up for consideration, with the resulting award being made to Alfie for an incredible performance. Virgil Van Dunne.
Roma you are a credit to us all. Onwards and upwards.
