Match Review: Singapore Football Club vs Gaelic Lions FC

• GK Ronnie Smollett
• DF Daniel Bennett
• DF Jack Cullinane
• DF Roberto Bruce
• DF Jahan Rezai
• MD Sam Gravatt
• MD Tim Walter
• ST Liam Shotton
• ST Liam George
• -- Ryosuke Ataku
• -- Akil Pompey

• MD Anthony Garreau
• MD Nick Marsh
• ST Fazrul Nawaz
• -- Hiroki Akiyama
• -- Matt Hulen

Friday Night Lights

Singapore FC needed every minute of what was a hotly contested match with Gaelic Lions. As expected, the match started at a very high tempo, with both teams working tirelessly off the ball. The early chances fell to SFC, with both Liam Shotton and Akil Pompey firing over. However, it was Gaelic Lions who struck first on the break. The Lions cleared the ball to Daiki Ishino, who burst down the right wing, cut in onto his left foot and finished smartly from outside of the box. SFC continued to probe but it would be the Lions who went into half time 1-0 up. Unsurprisingly, it was the introduction of Fazrul Nawaz that saw SFC’s attacking joys grow. It took just a few minutes for SFC to strike after the break. Skipper Jahan Rezai picked the ball up on the left, drove forward playing a one-two first with Faz and then with Jack Cullinane, who delivered the perfectly weighted ball into the box for Jahan to finish. The pace of the game never slowed, with both teams working furiously to try and get their team ahead. It would be the Lions who took the lead, with another good run from the lively Ishino down the right, who made the byline before squaring across the box. The ball evaded the onlooking SFC defenders before falling to Charlie Traynor who calmly finished for his 9th goal of the season. With plenty of time left in the game, SFC showed the resolve and fight that has embodied their season so far. A great ball in from Anthony Garreau made it to the back post, the ball bobbled around but fell to Liam Shotton. From there it was never in doubt as he swivelled and finished into the back of the net. Some teams may have settled for a point, but SFC were not content with leaving it at honours even as they continued to dictate the pace of the game. In added time, Garreau got the ball in the middle of the park, played a lovely ball out to the overlapping Dan Bennett on the right. Dan delivered into the box, with the ball bouncing near the penalty spot and from there the outcome was inevitable. Faz brought the ball down, back to goal before turning and finishing into the bottom corner. There was barely time for the Lions to kick off before the referee blew his final whistle, seeing SFC take the 3-2 win. Thanks to the Lions and the officials for a hotly contested Friday night fixture.

• Travis (Jia Zheng) Ang GK
• Jack Reid GK
• Hans Van Den Hoogen DF
• Sean Carter MD
• Charlie Traynor MD
• Andy Dyne MD
• Dom Marwood MD
• Xavier Sproule ST
• Daiki Ishino ST
• Eoghan Jackson Ryan ST
• Chris Fox --

• Tuomas Keltto DF
• Stephen Swords MD
• Tasman Wrigley --

Heart break

A little bit more gas and a little bit more drive saw SFC clinch this with what was in effect the last kick of the game. Heart break. We had taken a 1-0 lead into half time after absorbing pressure and restricting SFC to opportunities from corners. Swordsy, in an unfamiliar holding midfield role, broke up play and Dom hit a lovely quick pass on the volley into Daiki who beat one and then shot from 25 into the bottom corner coming in from the right. SFC bounced back with a really well worked goal down the left immediately after half time. We had a great response too and played our best football for the next 20 and deservedly took the lead again. A throw into the box, Daiki got to the byline and pulls it across to the Charlie to slot in. With two ball-playing big lads up front, SFC went direct thereafter and with success. A low corner caused confusion and SFC knocked in the loose ball to make 2-2. With an early injury and a relatively thin bench in the end we weathered the storm and always looked a threat on the break. But ultimately didn't have the legs and conceded a goal when out on our feet. Great determination from SFC to win whatever way they could and looks like a tasty league run in! Very well refereed and with calm communication from the officials