Match Review: Hibernians FC vs Aioli Monkeys FC

• DF Joe Poulton
• MD Andrew Knott
• MD Julio Vasquez
• -- Ian Triplett
• -- Niko Rieder
• -- Alex Titmarsh
• -- Rupert Roberts
• -- Scott Star
• -- Andrew Talbot
• -- Thorin Duffin
• -- Mark O'Halloran

• -- Osawa Saturo
• -- Andy Clark
• -- Paul Marshall
• -- Luke Liperis

Still Not Off The Mark

It was an even start to the game with both teams sizing each other up. Hibs should have taken the lead when man of the match, Marko, got in a great position with just the keeper to beat, but unfortunately his shot was straight at the keeper. Aioli then opened the scoring as Hibs failed to push up as one and they got in and scored. Scott made some good saves as Hibs felt some pressure and it told in the end as they conceded a second. Unlike last week, this wasn't a capitulation and although it was a blow to lose the unwell Tit, but Hibs continued to plug away with Satoru and Paul slotting in but lacked the cutting edge and final pass. Lippy was put on to avoid him causing any further damage to the toddlers on the sideline, but he hardly got any service. Scott was much the busier but he made the saves look comfortable and then with 20 minutes left, Hibs inexcusably switched off at a set piece and Aioli had a free header from 8 yards out for 0-3. That was game over really, and a mix up when there seemed to be no danger saw Aioli punish Hibs with a fourth late.

• Daniele Pacella GK
• Victor Pardo DF
• Davi Dubinski DF
• Ivan Avramovic MD
• Joel Terrades MD
• Harry Shaw MD
• Mark Addy ST
• Peter Besselink ST
• Shotaro Ichikawa ST
• Matthieu Ginestet --

• Pablo Huidobro MD
• Alexander Hoskinson MD
• Eric Clermont ST

Solid First win

Great performance from the boys for our first 3 points of the season. Despite missing several keys player, the international monkeys, sporting 9 different nationalities in the starting 11, didn't really put a foot wrong across 90 minutes. The game got off to a fairly slow start, with the first chance coming after a loose backpass forced the Hibs keeper to use his hands to avoid a certain goal. To nobody's surprise the resulting freekick from 6 yards out resulted in some pinball action, before Joel's effort was well saved & cleared. Not much happened of interest for the rest of the first quarter, until new boy Mario decided to turn on his inner Yaya Toure, bundling & bursting his way through the midfield before laying off a lovely ball to Peter. To everyone's amazement, Peteeeeer showed a remarkable recovery from his allergy to shooting, taking it past the keeper and sliding the ball into the empty net. Mark obviously wasn't taking notes as shortly after, for the second him this season, he rounded the keeper himself, albeit on the angle, and skied it over the empty net. The goal did a breathe a bit more life into us but we failed to fully capitalise, and 1-0 it remained until HT. 2nd half we knew we had to try and kill the game off early, and Mark had another great chance early on, putting his header high, wide and devilishly handsome. Lucky he made amends not long after, picking the ball up on the right byline and crossing it to Harry, who finished cooly. Not long after, the Monkeys freshened things up a bit, and sub Eric cooly headed home Ichi's inch perfect cross to kill the game just before the 2nd water-break. Last 20 minutes we had a few more chances to add to the score sheet, with a top save denying Eric a 2nd goal 1-on-1, and Mark having an attempt from 8 yards out brilliantly cleared on the line. Thankfully just before the end Mark managed to end his goalscoring drought, latching onto a mistake at the back before cutting inside and firing the ball into the roof of the net. A number of solid performances worthy of a mention but it was young Harry that stole the show again in the centre of midfield. Like a cross between Fernandinho & Kevin De Bruyne, a comparison I'm sure he will be thrilled by. His MOM - No. 10 Big game next week vs our good friends the German All Stars, Turf City Pitch 1, 5pm KO. Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.