Atlantic Star : Match Report v Brickhouse Devils on 19 Feb 2009

Thursday 19th February

Atlantic Star 8 Brickhouse Devils 0
Maguire 2
Marler 2
Dickens 2
Doherty
Glasgow

Murray
Holian
Jack
Dickens
Maguire
Marler
Glasgow
Doherty

It was a small turn out for this late game on the unpopular Thursday spot, and with an abundance of notable absentees, Atlantic Star looked extremely top heavy. All four strikers amongst the ranks were in attendance which meant Glasgow was going to have to play as an extra defender to offer some respite to both Holian and Jack.

Atlantic Star set out with a definite plan to take the game early to Brickhouse. The Devils were coming into the game on a run of good results and had tightened up their rearguard which had been leaking goals so early in the season. Their formation of 3-1-1 was reminiscent of the way Star had tentatively approached the early games in the season, but it was to prove the undoing of the opponents as Atlantic Star tore into them.

With less than thirty seconds gone, Maguire struck high into the right hand corner to give the red and whites an early lead. This was to prove representative of the game as Star attacked in numbers while keeping good possession. Maguire, Marler and Dickens all were to score braces as the Brickhouse backline capitulated.

Brickhouse's only response was to keep hitting the ball long to their sole striker but the defending players had little trouble in thwarting opportunities. The best Devils could hope for was to lay the ball back to a supporting midfield but a well organised Star just combatted any breaks from the supporting players.

It was testament to the effort Doherty has put in to the team this season, and even despite murmurings that he is looking to switch indoor sides next year, he put these thoughts behind him as he finished well into the bottom right hand corner to record his first goal of the season. Seconds later he caught a half volley sweetly and only an excellent save from the goalkeeper denied him adding to his tally.

Skipper Glasgow also added his customary goal and ensures that he maintains his record as the overall leading scorer for the club in competitive matches.

A first clean sheet was just reward to keeper Murray who despite having a quiet evening maintained his composure and concentration to fend off the few shots that did find their way through. It was an all round good team performance and with RCC hammering UBS 9-1, a win against Marriott International in Star's next game will ensure a second placed finish in the XGen Conference and a play off tie against third place in the XGold division.