Having been out of action since November, Vineyard looked to kick-start their season against TriSports, the team they lost to in their last match. The team remained mainly the same from that match, but with McDowell and Citro changing positions and Klein coming into central midfield.

The first twenty minutes of the match were scrappy, with both teams failing to get their foot on the ball. Vineyard survived a couple of scares but were undone after 25 minutes when a through ball caused confusion in the defence and a TriSports striker finished calmly.

Shortly afterwards, Vineyard came under more pressure with Tri Sports winning a corner. Again a Tri Sports player won the ball but his powerful header was met by a superb save from Janman, making his debut in goal.

That save gave Vineyard the impetus they needed and they attacked with real intent. The breakthrough came five minutes before half time, with McMahon, who had looked a threat all the first half, slotting in with a composed finish.

No changes were made by Vineyard at half-time, and they went into the second half with confidence. Ten minutes in, manager Josh Brown made the first substitution, taking striker White off and replacing him with debutante Keenan, aiming to solidify the midfield and get the ball out wide quicker. This worked well and Vineyard looked threatening both down the wings and upfront, Klein playing some lovely through balls for Citro to run onto.

Vineyard’s pressure paid off after 65 minutes when they were awarded a free kick for a foul about 30 yards out. McDowell confidently stepped up and hammered the ball into the top right corner past the keeper’s reach.

Two more substitutions were made, with Locke coming on upfront hoping for a repeat of his goal in the last match vs Tri Sports, and Harris coming on for McDowell on the right.

Vineyard kept attacking, and Citro was unlucky to shoot just wide after being put through one-on-one with the keeper. A third goal did come, though, when a good passing move ended up with a composed finish from McMahon, getting his second goal of the game.

It was a great result for Vineyard, coming against the team top of Division 2 and unbeaten until that point. The team should be encouraged by the way in which they played, coming back from a goal down and remaining composed and level-headed throughout. Every player gave 100% and there were many plus points – the defence improved throughout the match, Klein (who sadly injured himself shortly after the match) was strong and creative in midfield, Keenan had a great debut and Brown, named man of the match, was brilliant at left back, covering excellently defensively as well as supporting the attack.

Vineyard have now played three league games, and with every team in Division 2 having lost at least one match, it’s all to play for.

Vineyard team vs Tri Sports FC, 23 January 2010

Janman (GK)

Mascall 
Hall (Capt) 
Hester 
Brown

McDowell (Harris 70) 
Klein 
Martin (Locke 62) 
McMahon

White (Keenan 55) 
Citro

Goals: 
McMahon (41,80) 
McDowell (65)