Five Man Team WoW Admirably Draw with Dynamo

Team WoW 5 - 5 Dynamo
(Scott 2, Thompson 2, Kidd)

A stretched Team WoW have drawn with Dynamo in their season opener. The boys in black gave their all to notch up 5 in a roller coaster of a match, but they weren't enough to see off a Dynamo side with something to prove. A lack of energy for Team WoW, and inspired goalkeeping for Dynamo were the chief causes of the stalemate, had Team WoW have had a substitute they undoubtedly would've taken the game comfortably. Notably, Alec lined up in the squad for the first time in 3 years, while Phil Gale, Wil Darling, Rob Schaap, and Sol Foster were all absent for assorted reasons.

The game got off to a solid start. Team WoW were forming attacks but could not penetrate the Dynamo defence. Dynamo drew first blood on the night, sending a low drive into the bottom corner. Team WoW rallied and pushed forward with greater intensity. It paid rich dividend in the form of a pinpoint pass from Alex Kidd, which Jordan Scott met first time with a bit of pearl to beat the keeper. The equaliser lifted Team WoW, and they were soon ahead when Thompson finished from a tight angle after some defensive confusion. Dynamo got lucky with their second. A free kick from deep in the defence was lofted over Alec's head and caught Riske off guard, beating him cheaply at his left post. They made it 3 - 2 not long after, capitalising on some poor Team WoW marking. Scott leveled it up again however, with almost a carbon copy of his first goal, except with a little extra pearlage.

The teams carried the draw into the break, with Team WoW the happier side. Thompson offered an inspiring if cliched halftime team talk, urging the boys to 'just have some fun.' It was, however, of little effect. With Alec and Scott clearly spent, the second half was never going to be pretty.

Dynamo sent home two quick fire goals in the second period, again poor defending was the chief culprit. Riske offered some stunning saves to keep Team WoW just in it, but more energy was required in the attack to replace a practically comatose Scott. Scott moved into the defence briefly to allow Kidd to try his hand. It worked well, he slid home a quality finish to make it 5 - 4. Thompson leveled it shortly after. The Dynamo keeper made a rare mistake by coming out to meet Scott, who held him off as the ball fell to Thompson, who, with stunning accuracy, finesse-volleyed the strike off the post and in. There were a flurry of chances in the closing minutes but neither side could capitalise, the draw an appropriate result.

Team mentor Peter Thompson berated the squad at the close of the game, urging them to 'work on fitness.' His progeny, however, remained philosophical and was pleased with the draw. "End of the day we probably deserved to lose. We rode our luck a little in the second half. I'm happy with the draw."

Team WoW will be in action again next week, same place, same time.