Match Review: SCC Firsts vs Aioli Monkeys FC

• GK Ronnie Smollett
• DF Jahan Rezai
• MD Matt Hulen
• MD Tim Walter
• MD Anthony Garreau
• MD Enrique Sanchez
• MD Ross Plain
• ST Aleksandar Duric
• ST Andrew Hutcheon
• -- Jack Cullinane
• -- Adam Bowden

• GK Martin Lavoo
• MD Sam Balls
• -- Igor Ferriera
• -- Danny Shearwood
• -- Marcus Nagle
• -- Kristian Norfelt Lund
• -- Ben King

SCC Overcome Battling Aioli Monkeys to Secure Win

The start of a the new season and a very rare opportunity to play on the Padang. The SCC knew their opener would be a tough competitive encounter with a Aioli Monkeys, a team who likes to play good passing football. The match kicked off and was a fairly even affair in the first 20 minutes, but as the half wore on SCC began to take the upper hand on possession and in the number of chances created, with the Aioli keeper making a number of good saves to keep the scoreline at 0-0. Aioli themselves had a couple of chances during the half and showed that they would be a threat on the break. The second half continued with both teams playing good football and with SCC plying pressure on the Aioli goal and creating chances, However it was Aioli who nearly took the lead in the 20th minute, again showing their attacking capabilities quickly breaking away from a an SCC attack. A great cross from the left found the right winger at the back post whose header cannoned off the post and way to safety. SCC made 3 changes to freshen things up in midfield and attack and this quickly paid dividends for the SCC. With the Aioli defence tiring SCC were able to capitalize and it as SCC stalwart Andrew Hutcheon who had moved from his starting defensive role to attack who proved to be the match winner, scoring twice to allow SCC to secure the 3 points. Overall a very good match with both teams looking to keep the ball on the ground and play good passing football. A good performance from a battling and competitive Aioli who certainly made the SCC work for the 3 points. A good start for the SCC who maybe weren't as sharp as they may have hoped, but overall happy with the performance. MOM - went to Hutch, who showed his versatility by starting the game playing in defence and then being the match winner with the brace to give the SCC 3 points.

• Daniele Pacella GK
• Harry Shaw MD
• Ivan Avramovic MD
• Joel Terrades MD
• Juan Jose Velaz Sanchez MD
• Mark Addy ST
• Peter Besselink ST
• Eric Clermont ST
• Shotaro Ichikawa ST
• Benjamin Darde --
• Boujema Jelikh Kamel --
• Michele Valente --

• Victor Pardo DF

*So close yet so far*

Tough day at the Padang on Saturday as the Monkeys were eventually broken down by SCC after putting up a good fight for 3 quarters of the match. Conor McGregor-esque. Quite an even first half, and although we failed to create too many clear cut chances, we did a good job restricting SCC to an extent, and continuously looked a threat on the break. Daniele pulled off a couple of routine saves before tipping one over the bar, which at first seemed fairly routine, but when it came to light that 'his legs were being held down by the devil', it made the save seem incredible. After a fairly lengthy delay, and some massaging from at least 3 AMFC players, Daniele 'The Belly' Pacella was finally ready to continue. Luckily he managed to survive until HT and we went into the break at 0-0. After a ROUSING teamtalk from the Singapore Sling, the monkeys came out flying at the start of the 2nd half, and really took it to SCC. The full backs did a good job of getting into the game and JJ started to link up the midfield brilliantly. After 15 minutes of pressure, the golden chance finally came as JJ whipped in a beautiful cross to flatmate Peteeeeeeeeer, whose stretching header crashed against the post. Heartbreaking. Just after Peter hit the post, SCC sensed danger and made the first 3 of their 5 substitutions, leaving only their 'reserve goalkeeper' unused...... after that we knew were up against it. Within minutes they took the lead and our heads dropped from their. We battled hard but were quickly running out of steam, and in the end SCC doubled their lead, killing the game off once and for all. A solid performance from the boys against an opposition with just too much in the tank for us. Harry put in another YPoTY worthy performance (hands off SCC), but it was JJ that stole the show with some silky skills and great creativity. Shoutout to the French lads (strong breeze, no smell, phew) and all other spectators that were down to watch, and to Raheem Sterling for his superb winning goal that made the post-match beer even sweeter. Hibs next week, 5pm @ PSA. Hopefully time to get our first 3 points of the season!