In the Championship game of the Naples Spring Classic tournament the Strikers faced a strong Weston team that were familiar with winning tournaments having been champions at the previous Naples tournament in October and successfully winning the Wellington Wave Soccer Shootout Premier Division in January.
It was a great test of character for our team in their first season together but character is a quality that the team do not lack and had already displayed in the tournament with an inspired win over a Naples select team en-route to the final. After the confusion surrounding the teams first ceremonial walk on had subsided, the game commenced and immediately the Strikers took the incentive creating many chances and having the better of the possession. It seemed only a matter of time before they would score and with around 10 minutes gone Stefan Fevrier-Sildor took possession of the ball on the left flank close to the corner flag, after beating two players with a mazy run and a show of great close control he cut the ball back to the onrushing Alex Mendes who from 10 yards out calmly slotted the ball into the far right of the goal leaving the Weston goal keeper without a chance. 1-0 Strikers.
Weston made some changes, they raised their tempo and created some shooting chances which Strikers goal keeper Michael Hafele handled with unnerving ease. This seemed to increase Weston's frustrations and as a result they committed some unsavory illegal tackles but the Strikers held their own, remained disciplined and continued to have the better of possession and create chances leading up to half time. Stefan was unlucky when he spotted the keeper off his line and sent an excellent 30 yard lob towards goal only for the Weston keeper to recover just in time and get a hand to it. Jordan Lohr also came close to finding the back of the net with a powerful shot after finding space on the right hand side. Half Time 1-0. The second half continued in the same vein with an immense backline performance from Stephen Barker, AJ Prieto, John Briers and earlier Elvin Ramirez keeping the Weston forwards quiet, restricting their opportunities to a few corner kicks and with Strikers forwards Luis Merino and Stefan Fevrier-Sildor causing problems for the Weston defense Strikers continued to look the better side. The introduction of Debel Massolas and MJ Whitaker 10 minutes after the interval increased the pressure with Debel immediately causing Weston problems with his strength and power, he came close with some powerful shots before bursting the back of the net after latching on to a Luis Merino rebound. Strikers 2-0. Strikers continued to create the better chances, Luis and Stefan caused the goal keeper problems and Debel rounded the keeper after he fumbled a Strikers shot only to find the angle too tight to get the goal. MJ Whitaker having a great game in midfield picked the ball up in the centre, beat two players with a superb run and with only the goal keeper he seemed certain to score but he was taken down in the area by a tackle from behind, somehow the penalty was not given. With Weston now throwing everything but the kitchen sink forward Andrew Kibler and Michael Mendes came into the game to add some fresh legs and experience and to help the team finish the job and cement the win. With the team defending resolutely Weston were being restricted to long range shots which again were handled comfortably by Michael Hafele and corner kicks. With 1 minute remaining of the game they eventually bundled a far post corner kick into the goal. Strikers 2-1.
Time had run out and shortly after the restart the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the match and with it signaled a well deserved victory for the U11 Strikers and another trophy for the club's ever expanding trophy cabinet.
"Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile". Vince Lombard
