5th May: Friendly Match Against Bayer Group

Swarovski 6 - 4 Bayer

Martin Rainer hit two goals to beat Bayer. Swarovski secured their victory with a stunning comeback win at Happy Valley.

Swarvoski Crystallized roared back from one goal down to wrap a firm hand around the Super League season opener by beating Bayer Leverkusen 6-4 at Happy Valley.

As if to rub salt into the Bayer wounds - Swarovski newly-appointed skipper Kenneth Wong blasting the equaliser tearing the rigid defence with his speed and goalkeeper to give Crystallized hope that makes the home crowd starting its gear.

It was another 'old boy' who came up with the devastating blow - Martin Rainer ramming the taunts of the Bayer fans back down their throats with his first two goals of the season.

There was no sign of what was to come when Batman rasped home a brutal counter attack to put Bayer ahead early on and when Elasticboy nearly belted home a second within minutes, Crystallized were on the ropes.

But, as others now knows, player-coach Alan and his team are never more dangerous than when their backs are pressed up against the wall. It proved to be a fairly accurate assessment of the situation too as Chris and Kenneth collected the ball from Martin and Ming before the break, attacked Bayer along the flanks with the usual directness and slammed the ball towards the dangerous zone with huge possession.

Even without injured striker Gary Prince and keeper Clone Cech, the visitors were determined to lay on a performance fit for the occasion.

Batman had already gone close with a header which flicked off the crossbar, which Angus could brilliantly keep out after it had flicked off Kevin.

Wilson was onto the loose ball in a flash, darted not just to the by-line but down it, then picked out Kenneth with a fine cut-back which invited the Skipper's precise finish bypassing two central defenders and unleashing a snapshot which Spiderman could hardly do anything.

As from this moment on the world is working in Crystallized's favour anyway, Alan's discovery of the second White Devils goalscorer would only have fuelled his opponent¡¦s paranoia.

Martin Rainer, who re-joined his old-teammate after a 4 months loan spell at Tirolean Wackers made ease of an horrific defence error from a poor goal kick and slashed home into the roof of the net for his first goal of the season.

There was a bit more huff and puff from Alan's side before half-time though, before Martin doubled Swarvoski's lead with a thunderous effort after he had collected Kenneth's pass, then scored at the far post of Wes Spiderman.

Martin had again a clear chance through a mistake from Leverkusen defender Sandman, who slipped when chasing down a long ball, leaving himself to poke it past goalkeeper Wes Spiderman. However, just as he was preparing to celebrate, the ball bounced back off the left-hand post and bounced to safety.

But hope came quickly for the visitors, and so did Batman, after some sloppy defence that inexplicably dropped Elasticboy's corner at Batman¡¦ feet, allowing the German to bundle home to get back 3-2 in the beginning of the 2nd half.

Sandman looked certain to level when he left Kwan on the edge of the area, then lifted a shot over Angus, only for his old mate Ian to get his body in the way.

But the finish line was not a long way off for Bayer and the game was flowing totally towards the home side¡¦s goalie, only after several great saves from Angus and rigid defence from Kevin and Alan.
Leverkusen drew level on the half-hour mark when Andrew's shot deflected off Swarovski defence, and Batman was on hand to fire the rebound home. It was 3-3.

There was more to come for Crystallized and their story writers, as the winner - and potential title-clincher, curled in off Wilson's boot 20 minutes from time with a long shoot into the bottom left corner.

Wilson still had plenty of work to do when Martin's far-post cross landed at his feet. But, on a difficult day from a personal perspective, the shot was inches wide.

Minutes later Swarovski made it 5-3, again Spiderman was involved, although he could not do much more than get in the way of Wilson's firm header as he rose to meet Kenneth's corner.

Only Spiderman's reflex save prevented Martin Gattinger getting his own name on the score sheet for the first time this season as a reward for his dreadful attack. It¡¦s not a lucky day for him though.
But just when it began to look like honours would be celebrated, Batman hit Bayer's fourth with a 12-yard screamer in the 63rd minute after a decent pass from Andrew to pull a one-goal deficient.
Chris added another in stoppage time after Martin had supplied the pass and then made a neat touch, the celebrations really began.

o Alan hails vital Wilson goal

Swarovski Crystallized player-coach Alan Li believes Wilson's goal was the turning point for his side in their 6-4 win at home.

They had to battle back from 1-0 down to spark a fightback including strikes from Martin Rainer and Wilson Cheung.

Skipper Kenneth said: ¡§This will be a tough season but with the combustive players in both the attacking and defending department, I am quite optimistic that we can break the record of 6 successive wins in a row in year 2005. With debutant goalie Angus played an important role and with firm partnership with Alan and Fast Horse. At that point I feel we really had a chance.

"I'm very pleased. It is a terrific result for us against a Bayer team which is a very good team and make you work all day"