Match Review: Gaelic Lions FC vs Hotspurs FC

• GK Brian Darcy
• DF Hans Van Den Hoogen
• DF Tom O'Donnell
• DF Jack Maton
• MD Dom Marwood
• MD Rhys Tomos
• ST Daire Flanagan
• ST Darragh Burke
• ST Alex Bertholon
• ST Oscar Lee
• ST Eoghan Jackson Ryan

• DF Wilfried Lapierre
• MD Adam Smith

Good contest!

First time we have met Hotspurs this year and it was a great contest between two hard-working sides. Before getting into the details on the match - it was most pleasing to see the amount of young players both teams were fielding (among the older heads), and the young lads performed very well for much of the game. A positive sign for the league indeed. A very even first half. Both teams had chances, and it was just a matter of time before the deadlock was to be broken broken. Darcy, another GK signed this week from our GAA club had a great game between the posts, making several outstanding saves. Shortly after half time, Hotspurs pounced on a loose ball, with their winger playing the ball into a Central Area for their striker who finished the ball emphatically into the top corner leaving Darcy with no chance. After the goal, it woke us up a bit and this was probably our strongest period of the game. Alex causing lots of issues down the right flank and the lions were pushing for an equaliser. Soon enough, Tommy whipped in a beautiful ball which was deftly finished by Burkey. 1-1. The lions kept pushing and another cross from Tommy caught the keeper off his line. The icing was put on the cake when Burkey played a wonderfully weigted pass through to Alex, who burst passed his defender and finished calmly. A good battle - thank you as always Hotspurs and to the refs of course as well!

• Oliver Roberts DF
• James Keane DF
• Tom Ruffles MD
• Jack Klok MD
• William Betts MD
• Hugo Ritch MD
• Lucas Jones MD
• Ali Roseburgh MD
• George Evans ST
• Thomas Greene ST
• Jack Skinner ST

• Mason Brown DF
• Craig Hotchkiss DF
• Cameron Mills MD

Flapianski

“We need a goal keeper, we need a goal keeper…” were the growing chants from the terraces amongst a few boos as the full time whistle rang at the Eagles Arena – Malaysia. A much changed side once again saw a midfield shake up with some young legs taking the centre midfield roles in both Jack and Hugo and through them the game started at a frightening pace, with the duo linking up well and often being brought down as a result of their quick feet and skill. Hotspurs had a very strong foothold early on, dominating Opta possession stats and it wasn’t long in the game when the first big chance came to George, put through clean on goal to only just shoot straight at the goalkeeper. Other half chances came and went shortly after, Ruffles putting a header wide of the post along with a shot from distance, Hotspurs on top and finding their rhythm. As we come to expect the Hotspurs defence were resolute and sweeping up anything that came their way, Keano restored to the starting line up having “left Singapore” was looking particular strong with support work down the left and 15year old Lucas Jones on the right confident in possession. Yet it was Hotpurs midfield duo in Jack and Hugo that were creating the chances and it was about 30mins into the second half when the later broke through midfield and hit one from distance to glance the Gaelic Lion’s post. Again Hugo pushed this time down the left swinging in a cross to which Ruffles squared to Jack only for the captain to match George and shoot straight at the goalkeeper – Hotspurs firmly on top! That closed the first half out and the dad’s in the stand seemed happy enough with their free admission and flowing football for one confident enough to open a fresh stubby – cheers!