Match Review: Aioli Monkeys FC vs 1TM Latini FC

• GK Fraser Tyler
• DF Andrew Storan
• DF Alex Stathopoulos
• DF Philip Scharff
• -- Darren Naughton
• -- Silvan Lehner
• -- Martin Eusebi
• -- Brian Twomey
• -- Romen Herrera
• -- Adrien Dambre
• -- Boujema Jelikh Kamel

• MD Pablo Huidobro
• ST Peter Besselink
• -- Thibault Torregrosa
• -- Oliver Johnson

Cup Victory!!!

Victory vs Latini in the cup after a hard fought game in which Latini will be disappointed having been ahead for the majority of the game. Latini came sprinting out of the blocks in the first 20 putting us under massive pressure at the back. A scrappy first 20 for us with little possession and lots of defending against the Latini runners. Latini grabbed a goal when a corner was cleared to the edge of the box where a Latini player shot, It was expertly finished by duplo in the 6 yard box. Last 20 minutes of the first half was mainly aioli pm in possession trying to break through a stubborn defense. A great cross from Brian saw a Latini headed clearance almost creep in but a top class full stretch save from the Latini GK pushed it round the post. Darren almost squared the game but saw his shot drift over the bar after great work from puta nutmeg on the right side. Brian almost stole in a few times on the left but was denied by last ditch tackles from the Latini defense. Second half started with surprisingly nil pressing from Latini which saw them happy to soak up the pressure. We found it difficult to create clear openings but as the subs were introduced we started to get closer and closer. Darren was again denied by the Latini GK with 20 to play. We still felt goals were coming but Latini looked dangerous on the break. At 1-0 frazeRR denied the striker with a point plank header to keep the dream alive. It wasn't until 86th minute that the first came, great interplay from kamelio, Adri and Brian on the left. Kamel squared to Brian just inside the box VOLLEY...PINGG of the post and its 1-1 with 3 mins to play. Nobody wants an extra time and penos game on a Wednesday night so we went for it. On the stroke of FT Oliver burst through and when one on one with the Latini GK just clipped it passed the post after the Latini GK got a touch. From the resulting corner a looped headed clearance was met at the edge of the box by the majestic right foot of Thibault who pinged in into the bottom corner, keeper given no chance. A great goal to win a good game. Again the value of having a strong bench really clear in these games. Once games get to 60 mins the quality fresh legs are making the difference for us. Another great team effort but mom today to Brian for 90 minutes of hard running and a quality goal. For Latini the GK. 10 day break for the garlic monkeys now and with kamelio away we can all return to our old training regimes of very little. Cheers to Latini for a good battle, looking forward to the return league encounter.

• Pete O'Brien GK
• Lee Bradshaw DF
• Jonathan Baker DF
• Jamie Townsend MD
• Luke Townsend ST
• John O'Neill --
• Ruben Haagensen --
• Jonathan Talbot --
• Mark Raven --
• Lewis Wood --
• Mathieu Harding --

• John O'Neill --
• Graham Bignell --
• Dominic Mooney --

BROKEN CUP DREAMS

Latini lined up with a decent squad versus our good friends the purple Aioli’s and it proved to be a classic encounter under the lights at Centaurs in front of a full grandstand. 1st Half: 1st 20mins Latini bossed the game with high pressing and good football, took a 1 goal lead via LTG stabbing home from Duplo’s powerful (off target) effort. Aioli nearly equalized when Woody nearly scored a well-placed header in his own bottom corner from 18 yards, POB saving his blushes with a fantastic save before clattering into the post. The rest of the 1st half Latini stepped off the gas and Aioli took control of the ball but didn’t create much in the way of clear cut chances. HT 0-0. 2nd half: Aioli dominated the ball for the majority of the half and steadily applied pressure, but Latini looked to be seeing out the game with a battling defense display limiting Aioli to very little in the way of chances. Latini infact had the best chance of the half when Mooney’s near post header was well saved to prevent a 2 goal lead. With 5mins left on the clock it looked as though Latini had stopped the rot of 3 consecutive defeats…. Incorrect, Aioli levelled with a counter attack after Latini gave the ball away cheaply. Latini then nearly nicked a winner as Lego skinned the full back down the right but his low cross evaded the 3 Latini bodies in the 6 yard box. With Extra timing looming and 50% of the Latini 11 cramping up Aioli scored a screamer to end the tie. A bullet 20 yard volley which flew past POB (“the best goal I’ve ever seen” according to the Aioli keeper – hmmm obviously never youtubed MOTD goal of season 96-97.) FT 1-2. Tough loss to take after putting so much in but we move on. Thanks to Aioli for an intense game played in a great spirit. Good luck for the rest of the cup. MOM Latini – Zoolander for an immense defensive display before pulling his hamstring. MOM Aioli – Adri for a controlling performance in the middle. Kit – Phil