Match Review: 1TM Latini FC vs Gaelic Lions FC

• GK Pete O'Brien
• DF Thomas Sumantri
• DF Lee Bradshaw
• DF Jonathan Baker
• DF Andrew Mollitt
• MD Jamie Townsend
• ST Leo Rocha
• ST Rory Anderson
• -- Ruben Haagensen
• -- Daniel Gregson
• -- Mark Raven

• -- Patrick Devine
• -- Daniele De Maria
• -- Abdul Miah

A game versus title chasing Gaelic Lions was always going to be a tough encounter, even without the absentees of a number of regulars as is so often the case in the Cosmo League. Yet Tally put together a strong, albeit thin squad and sent us out to keep the game tight and restrict opportunities for Lions whilst looking to create some of our own for our in-form striker Rory A. The first half was very tight with chances at a premium and Latini looking organised and compact, as per the game-plan. However, Lions took the lead a little out the blue with a fine striker from the edge of the box that flew into the net leaving POB with no chance. Lions grew in confidence although Latini finished the half strongly and were determined to continue that in the second half. However, a body blow for Latini came when Lions scored early in the second half when a cross found it’s way to the back-post for an easy tap in. It felt avoidable from our perspective but Lions then had a good spell and looked like they might add to the score. We then returned the compliment by scoring out the blue ourselves, when Rory A was quickest to react in the box to beat the keeper to loose ball and finish well to half the deficit. Game on again and it was Latini pushing and looking the more likely to score the next goal. Lions held on though and then managed to score with the very last kick of the game. Yet another close game against a top if the table side and Latini will need to learn to turn these close defeats into some meaningful points if we are to break into the title race next season. Credit to Lions for a solid display and it’s easy to see why they are where they are. Good luck for the remainder of the season also. Man of the match GL: - Ryan McEneaney (no.23) Man of the match 1TM - Latini: - Leo Rocha Thanks to Nick for coming down to support For Latini, next up is a cup QF v OG on Friday night

• Petesy O'Brien MD
• Rich Sexton MD
• Shane Buttimer --
• Anders Jensen --
• Brett Bowman --
• Rob Church --
• Stephen Moran --
• Darren Murray --
• Ryan McEneaney --
• Allan O'Donahue --
• Simon Lloyd --

• Liam McGinley DF
• Wilfried Lapierre DF
• Neil Corrigan --
• Conor King --

Darren Murray is smokin' hot with no t-shirt on

The gaffer still being away on his round-the-world jollies, there won’t be much in the way of humour in the match report this week sadly. There will, however, be a lot of mentions of Darren “The Dazzler” Murray, who has sent me multiple texts, phone calls and threatening letters in the post (who even writes letters these days?!), making all sorts of rambling demands, using letters and numbers cut out of newspapers and magazines like they do in the movies when someone is being held for ransom, for him to get more air-time in the match report. I know it’s you Darren. Please just let my cat go, unharmed. So, here we go. Saturday’s game saw us take on our good friends Latini in a mid afternoon clash at Turf City. Darren was really up for it, which was good. He’s looking like his time in the gym is paying off and according to his tattoo, he’s done a bit of travelling in his time. The game, slightly delayed starting as Latini were still waiting on their kit (mind games from Tally there), was played at a good pace, with both sides committing to attack at every chance. The Lions had the better of the chances and were rewarded at some stage in the first half when Darren “the Dazzler” Murray picked the ball up, sprayed it across from left to right, to the oncoming path of Rhino, then sprinted to the edge of the box for the cut back, which he then finished cooly past the Latini keeper for, literally, one of the best goals any of us have ever seen*. 1-0 at half time, which felt like a fairly accurate reflection. The Lions went ahead fairly soon into the second half (I think) and looked to have done enough. With 15 mins to go, Latini pounced on a loose pass (will have to check back on the footage from Willy’s drone, but definitely not a Darren fault) and, following some good build-up play from Lego (what a pun), the ball was crossed and finished after a bit of pinging around the box. The last few minutes were pretty tense as Latini put everything bar the kitchen sink up front to try to get an equalizer. Well, they put their centre back up top, who was marked by….Darren, I think. Things looked like they could go either way until Pete the Pistol O’Brien scored a screamer to put the game out of reach and clinch all 3 points with the very last kick of the game. Wasn’t the only screamer as it happened, as Darren was NOT impressed the ball wasn’t cut back for him to slot home. Personally, I think Petesy should have squared it. But there you have it. Rich was MOM for us, the big blonde centre back gets the nod for Latini. Always a pleasure to play against those lads. Best of luck for the rest of the season. *might not be true