Vikings take point from Cats Claws

Viking Land News

The Vikings started life in the top division of the RM Invitational with a respectable away draw at current league champions ThunderCats F.C.

The first thing that happened for the Vikings was the first booking of the season, Almandis picking up a yellow for handball as early as the first minute. ThunderCats had the first chance of the game in the 19th minute as Leite got free with a diving header but Raasch dealt with it easily. ThunderCats then came very close to breaking the deadlock just before half time as Borja saw an excellent freekick come cannoning back off a post. 0-0 half time but ThunderCats had had all the chances and the Vikings were finding it hard to create at this higher level.

Into the second half and Borja proved that the earlier freekick had just been a range finder as he found the net with a wicked 47th minute effort that left Raasch hopelessly beaten.

The Vikings have proven themselves in the past to be a determined lot and not let their heads go down and this proved to be the case in this game too. Almandis saw a 59th minute freekick go harmlessly wide but this at least showed some attacking intent. ThunderCats then made a defensive change before Branston headed just over for the Vikings. It was looking like the Vikings would come away with nothing until the 77th minute. Crouch passed to Lind and the striker beat his man skillfully before unleashing an unstoppable shot from distance to send the loyal band of away supporters into raptures! A booking for Tassiopoulos followed but no more chances and the game ended 1-1.

Manager Eaglesrjh had this to say after the game. "Well this was always going to be a tough start to life in the highest division and we are pleased with a point and in the fact that we showed we can cope in this division. You could not have looked for a more equal match, nearly 50-50 possession and 3 chances each shows we gave as good as we got and a draw is a fair result. " "I'm happy to have locked horns with Meelas for the first time but dont think either of us can claim to have won this first tactical battle. We will see where both teams are come the end of the season!"