Match Review: Casuals FC vs Hotspurs FC

• DF Mark Stead
• DF Greg Ryan
• DF Lee Scurr
• MD Steve Janes
• MD Will Patz
• MD Andy Dyne
• ST Andy Woodbridge
• ST Kazuki Sato-Brennan
• ST Ranvir Ubhi
• -- Oliver Stultz
• -- Patrick McMullen

• MD Sam Hallam
• MD Ali Craggs
• MD Josh Brimblecombe
• -- Lewis Davis

Frustrating Game under the Lights

Buoyant after a solid win the weekend before, Casuals were full of confidence going into Friday night’s game. The lads took 10 minutes to settle into the game and then started to press Hotspurs, Andy Woodbridge was jacked up after his sour sweeties kicked in and began to hound the opposition midfield and defense with intense pressing. Andy almost got his reward when he picked the ball up from 25 yards out and lofted his shot over the keeper and onto the crossbar only for the follow up to be flagged offside. Stultzy had a good chance saved by the Hotspurs keeper. 0-0 at halftime Hotspurs scored in the second half after a Hotspurs player in an offside position tapped in the rebound. Referee & Linesman had a couple of strange offside calls missed during the game for both teams, Friday night games were maybe a little too late in the evening for some sleepy men in black and white. Game finished 1-0, Casuals failed to create any chances worth a mention in the 2nd half and ran out of ideas. Onwards to Rangers next Friday at UWC. MOM Casuals:- Woodbridge the ‘Kiwi’ Des Bremner MOM Hotspurs:- Lid for keeping our wingers quiet.

• Martyn U'ren GK
• James Keane DF
• Tom Hine DF
• Aaron Jones DF
• Ali Roseburgh MD
• Joshua Donavan MD
• Lionel Kong MD
• Thomas Greene ST
• Adam McCarthy --
• Barry McVeigh --
• Duncan Elias --

• Jack Munday --
• Tom Gamby --
• Adam Kiley --
• James Riddoch --

Macc-Attack

Hotspurs really had to respond to last week's disappointing defeat to Rangers, and a solid squad of 15 showed up to try to make amends on Friday evening at UWC. The game also marked the final Singapore appearance for Hotspurs striker Adam 'Macca' McCarthy, due to return to the UK this week after a successful first season at the club. He couldn't possibly score the winner as a parting gift could he? Despite a fairly premature (40 seconds I reckon) injury to Hotspurs left-back James Keane, the boys in blue looked well-organised from the start, winning their 50/50s and looking far more comfortable on the ball than they did in their previous game. Casuals were well up for the fight though, and an even first half ended goalless. It didn't take too long after the break until the farewell fairytale began however- Tommy Greene latching expertly onto a nice Roseburgh through-ball (particularly pleasing that both players were able to put the mystery of the missing shorts aside for just a moment) before squaring the ball (kind of) to the departing Macca, who bundled it deftly past the keeper, and kissed the badge as he ran off to celebrate with the fans. 1-0 up and Hotspurs worked hard across the pitch to keep it that way- buoyed by fresh legs from the bench, including debutant James Riddoch who looked sharp following his deadline day arrival from Gaelic Lions. Casuals pushed well for the equaliser, but the final whistle sounded with no change to the scoreline- Hotspurs taking a well-earned 3 points on the night, making the party bus to Macca's farewell do that much more bearable... Thanks to Casuals for a well-fought game, and congratulations to the departing man of the match Macca. All the very best back in London mate.