They couldn’t beat them in four games last season, and quite frankly never looked like getting close but Friday night’s 2-1 win by The Gap over Slacks Creek was not only overdue but well deserved.

The platform for the win was a first 45 minutes where The Gators put immense pressure on the Slacks Creek defence and midfield pegging them back in their own half and forcing errors that allowed The Gap to create a number of goal scoring opportunities. It was a just reward for striker, and man of the match, Andrew Harkins who scored both of The Gap’s goals and caused havoc every time he was in possession. He was ably supported by a few other gargantuan performers in Levi Beel, his striking partner and wide players, and cousins, Paul Cavallaro and Michael Cardillo. Paul Cavallaro in particular in the first half seemed to be centrally involved in every dangerous attacking move of the Gators, while Michael Cardillo worked tirelessly up and down the park.

After hitting the woodwork twice and seeing the Slacks Creek keeper make three brilliant saves The Gap conceded a goal in the last 15 minutes. The Gators pushed more players forward trying to score a third to put the game beyond doubt and were left exposed in defence. They then had to survive a nervous finish to the game and can thank goalkeeper Matt Cooper, who pulled off at least two astonishing saves, for keeping them ahead on the scoreboard.

The result, The Gap’s second in a row now puts them 8 points ahead of Grange Thistle who are second bottom of the table and gives a bit of breathing space for them to try and consolidate their position in Premier Division One. Coach Gerry McAvoy, who was in communiqué during the game with Assistant Coach Steve Maugham again via a walkie talkie as he served the last week of his sideline ban believed the side is again playing to its potential “We went through a bit of a mid-season rut much similar to what happened last season but now we are playing with much more consistency, conviction and creativity. I put this down to being able to field the same line-up and structure in consecutive games with the players getting more familiar with each other. The midfield pairing of Steve Comino and Ivan Rojas is working really well and the backline of Buwalda, Jones, Kibbey and Stephens are solid and supportive of each other. The form of all players makes it hard for others to compete for first team spots and that is exactly what you want at the club.”

The Gators now need two or three more wins to cement their place in this Division and their next assignment is against Qld Lions at Richlands next Saturday, where they hope to go one better than the draw they got against them at home in the first round.