Sam Foster was the outstanding performer in what was a display of clinical finishing. On his 23rd birthday Foster got the first hat trick of his career and helped guide Underground to victory. Andrew Dunn assisted all of his goals as the influence talisman ran amok the Stallion defense.
The match was open from the outset with end to end counterattacked regularity. It was an entertaining affair that saw early chances from both sides snuffed out by desperate retreating defenses. The first goal came with Dunn putting through a cleaver pass to Foster coming off his wing. The keeper attempted a save but fumbled the ball allowing Foster to skillfully cut the ball back into the goal.
Towards the end of the half the game took a controversial turn. A break from Stallions key striker Roneel Lal saw him go one on one with Undergrounds keeper Andy Speir. Lal skillfully chipped the keeper as Speir looked helplessly on as the ball headed towards the goal. Fortunately for Underground the ball hit the underside of the crossbar and landed just in front of the line as Ryan Hodgson cleared the ball away. Stallion players crowded the referee and appealed for a goal, but to no avail. Two Stallion players received yellow cards for dissent.
After the half time break Stallion came out firing and quickly snatched a goal back. A swift breakaway from midfield allowed a through pass that put Lal in for his first goal of the match.
A second opportunity presented itself when Stallion won a penalty. Constant pressure in the Underground goal box saw a penalty given for handball allowing the captain to take the spot kick. Unfortunately for Stallion the opportunity to take the lead was wasted as the penalty went wide. This may have affected their moral as Underground looked to wrest back the initiative.
A long ball that soared over the Stallion defense saw Andrew Dunn go one on one with the Stallion keeper to eventually score. Unfortunately for Underground and their fans the flag was raised for offside. Dunn may be forgiven for feeling a little aggrieved as replays show he was in fact onside.
The key break came when Dunn bamboozled the Stallion defense to beat several players on the edge of the box. They doggedly tried to contain the midfield maestro but Dunn managed to break free to put in a pinpoint cross to Foster who's clinical strike saw Underground go 2-1 up. The mood lifted for the orange and blacks and they continued to apply further pressure.
Undergrounds third goal came from a Dunn corner kick as Foster once again found himself in a perfect position to finish inside the far post to the delight of Underground and their fans. This completed Foster's first hat trick, one that he will no doubt saver for what was a perfect result to celebrate his birthday.
The result was all but wrapped up when Long Tran broke free in midfield drawing in the attention of the Stallion defense. Long put through an easy pass to the unmarked Tim de Beer who found himself with plenty of space and time to pick his spot on goal. His cool finish was met with jubilation as it ensured victory for Underground FC.
Stallion tried hard to fight their way back into the game but found it difficult to breach the defense. with 5 minutes remaining they won the ball in a dangerous area of the field and a perfect through pass to the enigmatic Roneel Lal saw the leagues top goalscorer bag his second goal. It was too little too late for the Stallion side however and they are now consigned to 6th on the ladder just 2 points clear of bottom of the table Cavaliers.
This result puts Underground in an ideal position to challenge for the title as they now sit in 3rd spot. Tougher games lie ahead however as they take on the league leaders Waitakere Rangers in the next round.
In other results BCC Grundies have found their premier league form and thrashed Knights FC 7-0 while Waitakere Rangers claimed top spot on the table with an unconvincing 1-0 win over Major league strugglers, the Cavaliers.
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