The Vikings 1 - 1 West Brom Strollers

Viking Land News

Vikings happy enough with point against highest skilled team in whole RM Invitational.

Eaglesrjh was happy enough to get a point in the game with West Brom Strollers. "We played most of the kids today to try to get match experience up early in the season and I'm happy with a point against the highest skilled team around, and in truth we had enough chances we could have nicked all 3 points. We are also delighted with the quality of the game, we had 4 players in the team of the round and they had 3 so a top quality game allround!"

The game started with Viking debutant Russell Ovendale having a header saved as early as 5 minutes in. Papakostas then lobbed over on 9 as the Vikings started well. The Vikings made their early dominance pay and young striker Ted Tolley leapt highest to nod Strachans excellent corner into the net. It was a while before west brom got into the game, their first chance came on 38 but the header by Johnston was dealt with by Connely. 1-0 half time.

Into the second half and Murray Irwin powered a header wide on 50 as the Vikings again started well. Papakostas was then unlucky to miss-hit his shot straight at the keeper when a clean shot may have scored on 54. West Brom looked to have equalised on 66 but the goal by Sneekes was ruled out by a dodgy referee. Irwin then hit the bar with a header on 73 as the Vikings looked to close out the game. Tassiopoulos then shot over on 80. Bryan Robson had been well shackled during the game but the Vikings players could do nothing when he stepped up to score a freekick on 81 to level the game. The Vikings then seemed to tire and Bobby Taylor had 2 good chances, a header that went over on 88 and a volley that was punched away by the keeper on 91. Papakostas then had a last gasp chance to win the game with a header but Carson easily dealt with it. 1-1 final result.

Eaglesrjh said "I'm happy enough with the point but looking at the game we created enough to win the game, however it was valuable experience for Connely,Ovendale and Tolley and at this stage of the season that is good."