The match preparation started off well with the news that coach Houlahan had been given a one match touch line ban. Dempsey played host to SCC vs Aioli with a strong performance by SCC. Leading 3-1 at halftime thanks to goals from Sanchez (2) and Hulen, SCC continued to create chances in the second half adding further goals from Garreau (pen) and Liam (2) including a stunning half-valley. Final score 6-1.
We came down to SCC hopeful having put together a few wins on the trot. We set out with a gameplay to negate the 3 SCC attacking players and create fast counter attacks for our forwards. A rough start for us as we tried to organised and the SCC midfielder cracked home a great strike from just inside the box. At this point its fair to had a good spell as we reverted back to old formation and gained a foothold. Ichi got down the right wing and put in a great cross for mark but the SCC keeper made a great save. Moments later a foul at the edge of the box gave a dry a great chance at a free kick but was just blocked by the SCC wall when it looked to be on its way in. Within 5 minutes we had another free kick and this time adore walloped it in after the SCC keeper almost stopped it with a fine effort at a save. At this point 30 mins any could have said it was looking fairly even. But within 5 mins SCC had cracked a free kick into the top corner and unlocked our defence with a lovely through ball to make it 3-1. That deflated us after having a good spell. Second half we kept on putting it in looking for a lifeline but struggles to create clear chances. No doubt the effort was put in on the pitch but we came up against SCC on the wrong day as the next goal (think tony yeboah vs wimbledon) was rifled in off the cross bar from 30 yards on the half volley. With a confident SCC now 4-1 up and introducing fresh legs it was a losing battle. We gave it what we had left for the last 20 and we were picked off for 2 more. Credit to SCC for quality football, by far the best team we have faced this season. Onwards for Aioli PM, hotspurs this weekend, a big game for both sides in the race for the top half of the league table.