Fitting game for a legend!

Viking Land News

Vikings first Legend gives Kirkbride a masterclass!

The match on Friday marked a huge milestone in Vikings history as the clubs first legend was crowned. A more fitting opponent could not have been found as the game was against Kirkbride Strollers.

The Vikings have now played Kirkbride 14 times in this league and have come up thru the ranks with them so it was fitting that Anastasios Tassiopoulos should play his 100th game for the club against them.

The prematch buzz at Viking Land was all about Tassiopoulos and there was a small prematch ceremony as he was presented with a commemerative trophy to mark the day. The player looked delighted and keen to get on with the game.

The milestone day seemed to galvanize the Vikings and they came out all guns blazing, an early breakaway saw Tassiopoulos play Lind through and the striker managed to smash a post with a good effort. The opener was not too far away though and the script could not have been written any better, Almandis set up Tassiopoulos and the midfielder side footed home to put the Vikings in front.Cue wild celebrations as Tassiopoulos celebrated with the home crowd.

The midfield maestro was straight back into the action as he laid the ball off for Branston who lashed the ball home from long range. The same pair combined just 7 minutes later to put the Vikings 3 up. Kirkbride could just not live with Tassiopoulos who was playing his best ever game for the club, he left his marker for dead down the wing and sent over a perfect cross that left Branston with the easiest task to head the ball home.

Lind then forced Hill into another save on 35 as the Vikings ran riot. 3-0 at the end of a very one sided first half.

It was probably predictable that Kirkbride manager Jazza1958 would be angry with his team at half time and Kirkbride made a better account of things in the second half.

Kirkbride had the first couple of chances in the second half. Villas was lucky to deflect a 56th minute effort wide and then Mike Bell saw a delightful chip hit the junction of the goal.

The Vikings where still playing good football though and Quinn saw a 61st minute freekick saved by Hill. A couple of yellow cards followed for Branston and Almandis as the game became the battle that had been expected.

Credit goes to Kirkbride who kept playing hard and Maneater saw a 75th minute header punched away by Connely. Branston then saw a 77th minute effort saved at the other end.

The only blot on the Tassiopoulos copy book came in the 80th minute as he picked up a booking for a tough challenge. Stephen Robinson dispatched the resultant freekick well to give Kirkbride a glimmer of hope. This glimmer was quickly wiped out though as again Tassiopoulos proved too good and he set up Quinn to shoot home in the 85th minute.

The game ended badly for the Vikings though as Almandis picked up a second booking and will miss the next game. There was one last chance for Robinson but this time Connely was equal to his freekick. end of game and the Vikings ran out 4-1 winners.

Vikings manager Eaglesrjh was a very happy man after the game and was quick to praise his exceptional midfielder.

Today was a big game for Tassiopoulos and he certainly did not disappoint. he's been a great player for the club and I cant think of any player more deserving to be the clubs first legend. It was great to see him so happy at the start and he really drove the team on today. a goal, 3 assists, his best ever performance and x11 captain all caps a great day for the lad, but this is not the end he can remain here for many more seasons and really set the bar high for record club apprearances.

As for the game we really won it first half where Kirkbride really didnt turn up and Tassiopoulos stole the show. The 2nd half was more competitive but we'd done enough first half to run the game. We know Kirkbride and Jazza well and have a lot of respect for both, Jazza will no doubt de disappointed in the result today but his team will still be there or there abouts at the end of the season.

The sending off of Almandis at the end is a blow but he will only miss one game and we have other defenders who can fill in and Quinn can take freekicks so we will not miss him as much as we might have done previously.
The Vikings sit 3rd in the table one point off the lead and it's good times in the Vikings camp.