Match Review: 1TM Latini FC vs Gaulois Sports Club

• GK Pete O'Brien
• DF Jonathan Baker
• DF Andrew Mollitt
• MD Jamie Townsend
• ST Luke Townsend
• -- John O'Neill
• -- Jake Gottlieb
• -- Jonathan Talbot
• -- Ruben Haagensen
• -- Lewis Wood
• -- Graham Bignell

• DF Lee Bradshaw
• -- Jon Kelly
• -- Tom Beattie
• -- Mark Raven

French Resistance

Latini continued their European tour this weekend as they took on the French after last weeks win over the Germans. Less of a rivalry these days with Latini’s continental contingent now applying their trade at Aioli Purple Monkey’s, but a big game none the less. 1st Half Turf City was a bit soggy with the persistent rain. The weather had a fairly ‘British’ feel about it – wet and cold. Obviously this would work in our favour as it was a long way from the summer time French Riviera conditions. The game started relatively balanced truth be told with little clear-cut chances. The 1st and the most clear-cut chance of the game came 20 minutes in via a spot kick after JP decided to play basketball in the Latini penalty area. The French skipper stepped up but POB foiled his attempt. The big man did well getting down to his right to stop the Frenchman from breaking the deadlock. ‘Stat of the day – this was POBs first penalty save in 578 games of football, he last kept one out in a Mansfield Primary School league cup qtr final in 1991.’ Duplo had a good chance for Latini after a quick break away but was denied by the OG keeper. HT 0-0. 2nd Half Latini didn’t really get going in the 2nd half, people’s minds started wandering in anticipation of POBs pub quiz to come later on in the night. It’s fair to say the French had the better of possession and territory in the 2nd half but failed to penetrate a stubborn Latini back line and POB wasn’t really called back into action after his penalty heroics. FT 0-0. A point a piece was a fair reflection on the balance of play. Latini happy with back to back clean sheets for the 1st time in a while. Well done to Yid Army for winning POB quiz. A couple of weeks off before Latini back in action versus Nippon. Thanks to OG for the game. MOM Latini – Mcfly MOM OG – Midfielder with Orange boots (and hair.)

• Christophe Aprile GK
• Oussama Labib DF
• Nordine Talhi DF
• Maxime Kleszcz --
• Remi Tache --
• Maxime Segura --
• Samuel Heraud --
• Lionel Bastos --
• Maxime Galinier --
• Mab Dousen --
• Philippe Guerrand --

• Guillaume Coelho --
• Ali Fatni --
• amarl wood --

Good game but disapointing result

After a good display last week against Rangers OG was eager to go for the 3 points today and try to close the gap with the teams in front of us. Despite a good display and a solid performance by our defense we could not manage to break Latinis lock and went back home with what feels like to lost points. However the display from the last 2 game is definitely promising for the remaining games of the season. Game started with Latini enjoying most of the possession for the first 15min without creating many chances. A few good runs by Duplo in the channels but overall well handles by our centers back Lio & Mab. After 15min Latini had their best chance of the game with a long cross which found their striker unmarked at the second post. He only managed to head it into the side net. This big warning wake us up and from their on we manage to start winning challenges, and second balls. With a strong midfield with Sam, Nordine and Philippe, ball was moving quickly and we managed to find our wingers more often. Apart from a few long range shoot we did not create clear chances. After 30min we were awarded a penalty for a hand ball in the box following a good work from Sam. Nono step up but saw his shoot save by POB in goal. 0-0 HT. Coach simon changed the formation at half time to a 3 5 2 so that we can press higher and have more presence in front of the goal. This paid off quite rapidly has we managed to control most of the second half, and move the ball in Latini's own half. Even though we often get close to the box the final pass was not here today. Either the cross could not find the striker or a Latini man was always here to prevent it. Sam had the clearest chance of the 2nd half with a ball through in the air. He faced POB in goal who was rushing out of the goal. With the ball bouncing Sam decided to go for the lob but could not hit it hard enough an Latini's keeper was relieved to see the ball come straight into his arm. On the other hand Chris had a quite second half with not much to do but we stayed focus as we know Latini can always be dangerous at the break. 0-0. A great performance all across the pitch and some really good football played in the right spirit. A bit frustrating for us as we feel we could have deserved better but credit to Latini who played their part in bring 1 point home today. MOM Gaulois was close business today between 3 players (Nono, Philipe and Mab). Mab will get the award today for a clean game at the back over the last 2 games. MOM Latini for Duplo by default. He had a quite game but was always the one who created danger in our half.