Match Review: Aioli Monkeys FC vs Gaelic Lions FC

• GK Fraser Tyler
• DF Alex Stathopoulos
• DF Andrew Storan
• MD Chris Wood
• ST Mark Addy
• ST Peter Besselink
• ST Shotaro Ichikawa
• -- Benjamin Darde
• -- Adrien Dambre
• -- Boujema Jelikh Kamel
• -- Silvan Lehner

• MD Pablo Huidobro
• -- Brian Twomey
• -- Gregory Sturm

After a monsoon at 2:30pm it wasn't looking likely wed get the match off but with the pitch just about playable we got started. Very difficult to get a passing rhythm and we struggled to keep possession or territory. The only option was a scoop pass or a long ball in the first half. This made for a lively midfield and high ball battle which the lions won. Long balls to the lions tricky winger who was still dribbling through puddles without a problem had the lions looking dangerous and a great chance after 5 minutes could've put the lions 1-0 but was blazed over. On 35 mins benji played a ball to peter who flicked it on for the onrushing addy who flicked it passed the keeper and gave us a 1-0 lead at half time. A great end to a tough half for us. With the rain easing the pitch improved second half. The ball on the floor a little more and some good football played by both teams. Both lions wingers getting forward and causing problems. At 50 minutes a corner half cleared fell to mchugh and a deflected shot looped over frasers sorry mug. Addy was looking dangerous on the break and itchy had a few half chances, but couldn't get the shot away. Brian went through and had a right footed shot saved by the keeper the match firmly in the balance. A breakaway from addy and the ball got to peter on the right side of the box, he played it across to the onrushing itchy who stuck it in the top corner for a 2-1 APM lead on 70 minutes. Last 20 minutes a mixture of lions pressure as they committed plenty forward and break aways from us. The Spanish winger got in and Fraser made a great stop to deny him and keep it 2-1. It looked like it might be our day but with 5 minutes to go the lions awarded a penalty when petesy and greg clashed at the back post. With the referee not giving the penalty, we though we were in the clear but an eagle eyed linesman flagged and the penalty was given. Mchugh smashed it in and it finished 2-2. No more than the lions deserved after a relentless 90 minute onslaught. True to say we did well to match the lions intensity and almost stole the game. MOM for the lions the the spanish winger who we fouled constantly in our attempts to take the ball and caused problems all game. MOM for us Benjamin Franklin for a great performance at the back and CM, with Kamelio not far behind. Thanks to the lions for a great battle. See you next season. Next up a 6 pointer with Gaulois.

• Rob Church DF
• Petesy O'Brien MD
• Sam Balls MD
• Rich Sexton MD
• Michele Valente --
• Ryan McEneaney --
• Anders Jensen --
• Brett Bowman --
• Simon Lloyd --
• Stephen Moran --
• Kike Perconig --

• Liam McGinley DF
• Conor McHugh --
• Christopher Banks --
• Neil Corrigan --

The rain in Spain...........

Singapore's climate is classified as tropical rainforest climate, with no true distinct seasons. Owing to its geographical location and maritime exposure, its climate is characterized by uniform temperature and pressure, high humidity and abundant rainfall. This rainfall which did indeed fall in abundance prior to kick-off made this game of association football very difficult to play in with large puddles all over the pitch making it very difficult for the ball to roll on the ground. The Lions were pretending it was hard to adapt to such conditions, as if the ball ever stays on the ground in our games anyway. First thing to note about this game was how physically repulsive the Aioli players are now. They used to be ripped and all Spanish lookin’ but now they are all freckly and bloated and stinkin’ of fag smoke and look like they’re from middle Earth. Ballsy set the tone for the first half when he missed a Brett-standard sitter from one yard out. He blamed it on the fact that the ball fell to his ‘swinger’ but I don’t have one of them and I didn’t really know what he was talking about. Aioli scored a goal when the ball stuck in a puddle and all of the Lions fell over and laughed and splashed each other while Mark kicked the ball into the goal! It was hilarious! Then Conor came on and saved the day because he is great at football and is Singapore’s premier physiotherapist who works for PhysioActive in 112 Katong. Storan and McGinley are great too if you happen to be swinging by the Camden branch with a rotator cuff issue. Aioli scored another goal which was a great finish high to Ander’s left from the opposite side of the box and then in the dying moments Alex didn’t give a penalty but fortunately the linesman (the one who thinks he’s in the San Siro every week) waved his flag majestically into the sky with all of his groupies behind him screaming his name and throwing their bras down on top of him and Alex changed his mind and gave the penalty. Singapore’s premier physiotherapist stepped up once again to slot the ball neatly down to Fraser’s left and we all jump up and down in glee. The game was delayed because the linesman got his feet tangled up in a load of bra straps and fell over trying to look into the vanity mirror he keeps in his pocket. Fortunately, Singapore’s premier physiotherapist was there to save the day. Turns out he can open a bra strap with one hand as well. What a hero! MOM for the Lions goes to Singapore’s premier physiotherapist for scoring two goals but he was run very close by Kike the Spanish WonderChild who has been immense the past few weeks and also Rich making his debut who was superb in the middle of the park and who may have gotten the nod if it wasn’t for the fact that he kept taking his eye off the ball making sure the gaffer wasn’t coppin’ off with his missus on the touchline. AS IF I WOULD DO THAT.