Hotspurs maintained their excellent recent run of form with a shock new year victory against the title chasing Vikings. Five games into the campaign, Hotspurs were in negative equity – languishing on minus one point. However, after picking up 16 points from the last 21 available, Tom Greene’s men should feel confident of capturing fourth place come the season’s end. On a blazing hot day down at Dempsey, Vikings hit top gear immediately and bossed the opening exchanges. Charlie Moss was being pulled all over the place in the left-back position and, in truth, it seemed only a matter of time before the high flyers took the lead. Thankfully, after a couple of smart saves from Martyn U’ren, Hotspurs settled down as the pace of the game slowed, allowing former Singapore international John Wilkinson to dictate from his unaccustomed central defensive position. Gradually Hotspurs began forging chances of their own; Lionel Kong ever dangerous on the right flank and with ball in hand on the touchline. It was Matty Young who scored what proved to be the winner towards the end of the first half. Wilkinson marauded forward down the right flank and cut the ball back for Young, who took a touch and fired past the keeper from the edge of the box. Hotspurs should have doubled their advantage deep into the second half when Kong elected to square the ball for substitute Adam McCarthy when he was in a prime position to pull the trigger. McCarthy then saved Hotspurs at the death with a miraculous headed clearance from a Vikings corner. Vikings will be gutted not to have at least shared the spoils, but it’s onwards and upwards for Hotspurs who have now recorded back-to-back wins with successive clean sheets.
Sunny afternoon game on Saturday at Dempsey against Hotspurs. With most of the players back from a well-earned Christmas holiday the Vikings were excited to start up the second half of the season and continue the good form. The game started off with two even teams easing into the game – trying to figure out how to play on uneven pitch at Dempsey. Mid-way through the first half a loose ball ends up with a Spurs player just 2 meters outside the Vikings box. The Hotspurs manages to get a shot on a goal and after a few bounces of the ground the ball ends in the side net, 1-0 for Spurs. The Vikings struggle for the rest of the first half to produce chances and everyone agrees to come back in the second half with full commitment and Viking spirit. The Vikings gradually dominates the game more and more as the second half progresses. Despite producing big opportunities for Jesper, Tommie, US and Leslie we didn’t manage to score a goal and the game finished 1-0 for Hotspurs. Disappointing start for the Vikings to the second half of the season – we hope to bounce back quickly and will fight for 3 points next weekend. Thank you to the supporters, Hotspurs and the referees for a fair game.