Match stats:

Christopher Howells

The Vader’s should have been well up for this local derby but clearly weren’t after suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands (or feet) of the Bush Kangaroos.

Due to the good performance the starting 11 mirrored the starting 11 from Thursday’s friendly against Gwynfi Utd but for Rich Boydell acting as lone striker due to player/coach Steve Boydell being out with a hamstring problem.

Also missing was Doug (Rhodri Davies) who had put in a good performance at centre half against Gwynfi was out with a knee injury. Christian Powys stepped in to cover and is proving to be a good utility player having previously played left wing, left back and centre half in the Vader’s first game of the season against Coedely (although he did give penalty away that day)

From the off it was an end to end game and both teams good have been ahead within minutes but both keepers were having a good day. Set pieces were in double figures in the first half hour.

About 30 minutes into the game the Vader’s pressed forward in numbers and a shot from Chris Hoggsy Howells saw a good block from a Bush defender only for it to come back to him for another effort which this time he put straight in the net.

The Vader’s were controlling the game now and the Bush were starting to unravel.

Hoggsy decided to call it a day at half time by deciding to say that he had a leg injury instead of the fact he wanted to go out on a high or that he was blowing a bit. (Come on Hoggsy, just say you were tired) He was replaced by Tom Evans.

The second half started as the first finished but the Vader’s were really stretching the Bush now by making full use of the width. Around 10 minutes into the second half the Vader’s were caught on the break and a cross from a Bush midfielder saw Allan “cock of the match” put the ball into his own net.

For some unknown reason the Vader’s heads went down immediately and started losing their shape.

Ben Poole replaced the tired Rob Boydell on the left wing and the Vader’s continued to try and get one back.

A few minutes later and the Vader’s were again caught sleeping and the Bush went 2-1 up. This was soon followed by a third and the game looked all but over.

Chances from Tom Evans and Lee Isaacs (nobody knows how that one stayed out) gave some glimmer of hope but in the end it was a lack of passion from the boys and lack of voice on the pitch saw what should have been a good victory turn into another loss. The Vader’s now find themselves 3 defeats in 4 games and a bad start to the season.

Tyco in the cup on Sunday coming and big changes are afoot, not only will players who found themselves on the bench get a chance to prove themselves but 3 new players to the Vader’s ranks should put the cat amongst the pigeons. Chris Crowley, Jason Thomas two experienced defenders will see the regular boys fighting for their positions and Barrie Morris a proven centre forward also joins. One thing the Vader’s must improve on is communication on the field.

Tyco are a league above BUT they have lost 2 games in a row, plus The Vader’s have beaten current league leaders Tonyrefail A. Nothing is a done deal when it comes to football so come on the Vaders!!

Man of the Match: Lee Isaac
Cock of the Week: Allan Thomas (for killing our first ever lead)
Quote of the Day: Hambone (for a change) “That’s one ‘ell of a bowl of chips!”