Line Up:

GK: Arty "Fish" Raptis

Def: Lucas, Richie, Tomo & Hawke

Mid: Steve, Keet, Logan, Wattsy, & Jack

Att: Togers

Subs: Padraic, Duffman,Noonan

A pleasant day down at Raymond Park, saw Park Ridge ressies come for a trial match, before the season proper. With a bucket load of rain during the week, the ground looked like Old Trafford, with a brilliant sheen of green, and it was the first time in 5mths that any proper game was played on the field.

Still reeling from Yo-yo like performances which have seen a 3-1 loss, followed by a 5-0 win, then an 8-1 loss, Coach Silvester was looking for a bit more consistancy and more solidarity with the team. This was not going to get any easier, with last years champions Park Ridge looking formidable.

The game kicked off with the boys from KPR running towards the Piney. A strong line up saw some good football played by both sides, with a mixture of long and short balls keeping the game at a fairly high tempo. The intense heat of the midday sun started to takes its toll on the game, and it eventually slowed down. The first points went to KPR. A seemingly safe ball into the box saw the Keeper fumble the ball straight to Logan, who expertly turned him and slipped the ball into the empty net from only 6yds out. Must've been the lovely grass in that area of the pitch that logan himself flattened with the Soil Spreader.

Not more than 5mins later the game was equalised. I free kick from just outside the box was whipped in to the far post, and although Arty "Fish" Raptis got both hands, his momentum saw him falling backwards and towards the post, and the ball nestled just on the inside of the net.

Park ridge were again starting to take the ascendency with sharp passing and solid movement, while KPR was losing the battle in the midfield with sloppy passing, poor options, and poor control leading to a shift in the game, but as often happens in these games, those who take their chances are rewarded, and a little bit of fortune goes a long way. A quick pass into the box was intercepted by a Park Ridge defender who expertly controlled the ball up to his arm and the referee duly point to the spot.

Kristina "Big Cat" Tognini had his mits firmly on the ball to take the penalty, but Keet wrangled the ball loose to take the penalty. Sending the keeper the wrong way with a solid shot into the side netting and it was 2-1 to the KPR boys.

Half time came and went way too quickly with most of the players still suffering in the heat, but against all expectations, KPR dominated early on, and some excellent passing moves ended in an excellent finish from outside the box by Keet. That goal was an absolute rocket. If that guy didn't like taylor swift so much, he may actually turn out to be a decent player, but I digress.

KPR continued to dominate the second half, at which point, enforced changes were made as some of the unfitter players needed rest. Hawke came off, and Park Ridge saw the opportunity and struck. I'd like to say I could've helped the team avoid conceding two equalisers, but I'm pretty sure we would've conceded 3 more with me on there. With KPR struggling for fitness Park Ridge were lucky with 2 more shots from outside the box finding the corners. This was probably a fair outcome considering Fish Raptis expertly saved two one on one opportunities, and the final score of 3-3 was probably a solid reflection of the match.

Park Ridge scored 3 solid goals from outside the box, but really failed to breakdown the defence any further than that. KPR by far had the best passing moves, but these were few and far between. A little bit more fitness, and an actual competitive game that means something, and you will see an entirely different outcome. There are still some key players to come back into the fold, and the season is looking good.