North Coast Hotel Group Premier League
The Raiders began strongly last weekend V Northern Storm at Korora, plenty of possession and an eagerness in attack that Storm struggled to contain. Josh McGovern did all the damage, well he punched three gaols past Jamie Kennedy the Storm’s keeper in what seemed a blink of the eye – 23 minutes to be precise. The first goal on 11 minutes simply clinical, after Jake Leslie fired in an inch perfect flat cross for Tim Rupprecht to nod down for McGovern to hit first time, the shot ricocheting off the post hitting Kennedy and into the net. The second via a Ben Dooley cross Macca this time heading wide of Kennedy and the third after Kale Hopper threaded his way through the defensive line and delivered a delicious pass for Macca to stroke home from close range.
The Raiders have had good results at this ground in past seasons and this looked like it might enter the embarrassing zone mmm. The Storm reacting to the Raiders attacks and when they did get the ball really couldn’t pressure the Raiders goal area, the odd angry shot the sum total of their efforts. So 3 zip at the break and a second half that didn’t deliver any more goals, although Ben Dooley’s left foot volley from range extracting a superb one handed save from the Kennedy. Perhaps the Raiders content with a 3-0 lead the Storm a larger share of possession but unable to hit the back of the Raiders net. The final score 3-0, post-match coach Pomroy pleased with the result and efforts of his players yes 3 points is always needed. Indeed, and a welcome return to first grade for Kale Hopper and a game that Josh McGovern will not soon forget.
In the earlier fixture the Raiders Reserve grade had a 5-2 win after 2-1 at the break and the Storm equalising 2-2 early in the second half but the Raiders dug deep and lashed in 3 more to produce a 5-2 final scoreline. Goals to Fabrice Wamara (man of the match) 3, Henry Gale 1 and the pride of Ireland James Power 1.
Go U Raiders!