In a match where Greater Watford desperately needed points, a disastrous second half put them back into 7th place, with a win needed to even stand a chance of 6th place. For Greater Watford, this was a chance to vindicate their loss at Buyan earlier in the campaign. The match started slowly, with little going for either side initially. It took 33 minutes for a goal to be scored, and it was the away side that got it, Sverre Devold slotting in from the near post from a set piece. However, Greater Watford equalised on 42 minutes, as Peter Tilder, back from suspension, also headed home from a corner. At 1-1, both teams looked for something to improve the game in the second half.
In the second half, Greater Watford had their fair share of chances, but Anders Bergh was doing a reasonable job in blocking the Hornet’s half chances. In the 70th minute however, substitute Eero Halmiini was found unmarked, and some beautiful dribbling allowed him to send a well-struck shot into the top right of the net, giving Buyan a 2-1 lead. Greater Watford’s hearts sunk, and in the 76 minute, Eero Halmiini got his second, running into the box and flicking the ball over James Hemsworth. The end came in the 88th minute, as Edvald Mattisson broke clear of the defence, and scored from close range. A poor finish for Greater Watford, as they go into their final game.
Today we struggled against a side who unleashed their magic near the end. Football is a 90 minute game, but we were only strong for 60 minutes. We let ourselves slip, and it cost us dearly. Unfortunately Hutt River took a surprise win, so we need to go all-out against Alianza Albos to take back 6th. Obviously we’re much more tactically skilled than before, but we’re not getting the performances together.
With 1 game to go, we must reflect on what we’ve done, and consider the wider picture. Ranked 7th in the group and seeded 7th is a reasonable performance, and if we go up a few pots for the next World Cup, then maybe we’ll be noticed internationally. Every match is another page in GW’s football history.
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Greater Watford 1-4 Buyan
BU: Sverre Devold 33’
GW: Peter Tilder 42’
BU: Eero Halmiini 70’
BU: Eero Halmiini 76’
BU: Edvald Mattisson 88’
GK 1 James Hemsworth
DEF 2 Thomas Razdeski
DEF 3 Damien King OFF 56'
DEF 4 Ryan Warthon OFF 76'
MID 5 Aaron Smith YELLOW 76'
MID 6 Fabrizio Fazzarini
MID 7 Peter Tilder GOAL 42'
MID 8 Samuel Harris
ATT 9 Mario Mannetti
ATT 10 Freddy Lincoln OFF 79'
ATT 11 Ylvin Serven
DEF 14 Nacho Torli ON 56' YELLOW 72'
DEF 15 William Wilkinson ON 76'
ATT 20 Milo Gregory ON 79'
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