Match Review: SCC Firsts vs Hotspurs FC

• GK Ronnie Smollett
• MD Anthony Garreau
• MD Tim Walter
• MD George Parrott
• ST Andrew Hutcheon
• ST Liam Shotton
• -- Ivor Teagle
• -- Mike Hemmingway
• -- Igor Ferriera
• -- Dom Lane
• -- Aidan Gamble

• MD Matt Zatto
• -- James Kilbee
• -- Ben King
• -- Adam Bowden
• -- Thomas George
• -- Felipe Monas

Best performance of the season so far

Perfect conditions for a game of football and a welcome sight to see some of the ‘old guard’ back to lace up the boots in Bowden, Zatto and woop woop. Equally promising was seeing the average age of the SCC come crashing down with the academy players back in attendance who have made such a great impact in recent weeks and showing where they belong. The game started brightly with SCC dominating possession, easily moving the ball across the pitch and putting the hotspurs defence under continued pressure. Whilst Hotspurs became frustrated seemingly unable to pick up the fluidity of the SCC shape, resolute defending and with plenty of men behind the ball, it was clear SCC would need to be patient. Young Ivor was a constant threat down the right creating a number of chances. A couple of headers were glanced just wide, 1 worldie of a save from the keeper with a little help from the post and what looked like a nailed on tap-in somehow managed to nutmeg our entire strikeforce. HT 0-0. The second half began a little slower but as SCC eased back into their groove and showing great patience, the dominance in possession resumed. Hotspurs sat further and further back and a nice combination led to a mistimed tackle in the box and penalty. This reporter won’t spend long on describing the pen, but you were see too many worse this season. SCC would be forgiven for thinking it was not their day but with 25mins to go, the breakthrough came. Hutcho, finding some space in behind the Hotspurs back line and exquisitely lifted the ball over the advancing keep. 1-0. The game was over from here on in and as SCC made a number of changes demonstrated the strength in depth and a great blend of returning experience and youth. More pressure could only mean one thing as the opposition became tired and more great work from Ivor on the right, breaking lines and cutting the ball back for Liam to coolly slot home. 2-0. Solid team performance, special mention for all the younger players but MOM goes to Ivor with another commanding display and constant threat. Hotspurs keeper was MOM for a number of saves, especially in the first half. Finally, all the best to the Hotspurs defender, who also had a great game and we understand was unfortunate to pick up a nasty injury late in the game. We wish him all the best for the recovery. Onto next week with another tough challenge against the Vikings

• Martyn U'ren GK
• Igor Stojanac DF
• Tom Hine DF
• James Keane DF
• Joshua Donavan MD
• Martin Lawrence MD
• Ali Roseburgh MD
• Thomas Greene ST
• Jack Skinner ST
• Daniel Krzystek --
• Mark Hadlow --

• Max Gray --
• Sam Hurley --
• Warren Rixon --

Close Again...

Let's be honest, it's never going to be easy against SCC is it? Hotspurs however turned up raring to go in what were excellent conditions for a Saturday afternoon at Dempsey. SCC dominated possession well, switching the ball left and right and probing for opportunities. Besides a couple of SCC chances though, Hotspurs defended well as a unit and went into half time at 0-0. The second half continued much like the first, and the first real incident of note came around the 60 minute mark when Iggy brought down the SCC striker who was bearing down on goal and unfortunately injured himself in the process. Things turned out to be a lot more serious than expected when the Hostpurs defender was later diagnosed with a fractured fibula. The injury changed the complexion of the game considerably, with Hotspurs, who had been looking solid up to that point, forced to make changes across the park and losing a bit of their cohesion. It wasn't long before SCC capitalised- first forcing a penalty (which was subsequently missed) with Hine bringing down Shotton in the box, and then with their first goal of the match- a smart finish following a ball over the top of the Hotspurs defence. It was 2-0 shortly afterwards- Shotton finishing from close range from a dangerous ball across the 6-yard box. The best team definitely won on the day, but also a number of positives for Hotspurs to take from their performance. Congratulations to SCC for a well-fought victory, and all the very best to Iggy on his recovery. Rest up and get back soon mate.