The first half gave no indication of what was to come as a tightly contested half produced early chances for both sides. Underground striker Charles Chu scored the only goal of the half thanks to a pinpoint cross from Andrew Dunn for Charles to then steer the ball expertly inside the far post.
West City responded immediately with a few half chanced of their own but wayward shooting scuppered their efforts. The Underground defense was under serious pressure and eventually this took its toll as a foray into the box saw a West City player brought down resulting in a penalty. However the limp effort from the spot saw Andy Speir make a sharp save to preserve the Underground lead.
With the match evenly poised no one anticipated what was to come in the second half. Having a history of going to sleep after the half time break Underground came out alert and ready. They began to string together passes more easily as their awareness and link up play continued to improve. West City found themselves chasing shadows as the pass and move football which epitomizes Underground style of play increasingly frustrated their opponents. This led to West City committing fouls in their desperate attempt to break up the Underground Attack.
With fouls on the increase free kick opportunities allowed Underground to increase their lead. Charles Chu found himself cut down outside the box presenting Andrew Dunn with an opportunity to take a free kick on the right hand side of the field. He made no mistake with a superb free kick rising over the wall and inside the far post doubling Underground's lead. Soon after Andrew Hewat was also brought down on the left side of the field presenting him with a free kick opportunity. He converted with a spectacular curling effort beating the keeper at the near post.
Underground continued to pile on the pressure and the fourth goal soon came as a square ball from Hewat found Sam Foster in space on the right hand side. Running onto the ball Foster's powerful low drive evaded the West City keeper to slot inside the far post. At 4-0 Underground were running riot.
West City struggled for possession at times and when they had it they went on the offensive piling numbers forward. They were unlucky not to score from the chances they had but Undergrounds scrambling defense and West City's wayward shooting ensured they remained scoreless.
With West City loading players in the offensive half it left them vulnerable to counter attacks. Andrew Dunns chip over the top allowed Foster with a clean run on goal. Foster expertly chipped the charging keeper to bring the score to 5-0. A few minutes later Ben Cullen found himself on a break down the left flank. West City failed to close him down allowing him to put in a perfect thru ball to striker Charles Chu. Charles had plenty of time to pick his spot guiding the ball past the keeper for the final goal of the match.
This emphatic result leaves a big impression on the Major League. Promoted at the half season from the division below Underground FC have gone from strength to strength. From humble beginnings this young side has come of age and is taking the NZCFA by storm in only their second season. Still having not lost in the league this year, this Underground side has the opportunity to become the invincible's. An unprecedented achievement for a team that manages to finish the season undefeated.
Charles Chu stepped up with a brace in Undergrounds win over West City
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