OOOOHHHHHH…Super DoF is magic He wears a magic hat He could have signed for SCC But said “fuck no” to that. He passes with his left foot, He passes with his right And when we finish fifth or sixth We’ll sing this song all night OOOOHHHHHH… Let’s just say Latini’s songs about Tally had a very different tone to them in Muddy’s on Saturday night. Tally himself didn’t even show up. Threw a tantrum* and went to Octoberfest, even though he’d demanded everyone attend “relationship building” joint drinks until it all went wrong at Turf City. Two more Latini boys deserted the party bus on route. At least Darren was there celebrate his birthday goal and fill us in on how Tally got the team talk wrong, got the starting line-up wrong, got the substitutions wrong… From we heard about that team talk, it’s hard to argue with Darren. No way is Hibs full of “piss-head chavs”. This is a professional set-up under Super DoF, and underestimating us might have cost Tally his job. Darren’s birthday goal didn't take him long. Hibs lofted a ball into the Latini box. Joe jumped up to challenge for the header, which dropped just in behind their defence. In one quick motion Darren spun and spooned a clearance into his own top corner. Keeper had no chance. Not to be outdone, Hibs immediately gave one back in equal style, Rich chucking a cross into his own goal. We then quickly traded good goals. An Rui went one way, then the other, then back the first way, and pinged a low shot into the bottom corner from just outside the box. Latini answered with a shot from the corner of our box that Rich kept out, but their winger followed in and adjusted his body well to bring them level again. That all seemed to happen in about 5 minutes, and then it all calmed down a lot. Rich was called into action to make at least one good save, getting out to block a shot from a tightish angle. A few times we managed to swap some decent passes on the edge of their box, but never quite got it right. Darren continued to lose the plot, at one point muttering “I’ve lost the plot”. Just before half time he yelled “Come on Latini, their legs have gone”. Tally had got in his head with all that “piss head” talk. We always look like that. Languid. Deceptive. The second half started ok, but lost a bit of momentum during Tally’s endless stream of substitutions. It looked like it would just drift to a draw with everyone confused and losing interest. Then up stepped Super DoF. We won a cheap free kick out on our left wing, which Seb swung perfectly into the corridor of uncertainty, where DoF was lurking sexily to side foot it into the bottom corner – on the volley, with his left foot. I can barely contain myself. *Tally didn't really throw a tantrum. He always had Octoberfest plans. He is a wonderful man who highly respects and enjoys warm relations with the Hibs.
1TM Latini suffered a disappointing defeat against our good friends at Hibs, thanks to a late winner which was a bitter pill to swallow. The match started in comical fashion with 2 huge errors gifting each other a goal. Firstly, fresh from his 44th birthday the day before, Daz couldn’t quite sort his feet out and sliced a loose ball into the top corner from inside the 6 yard box inside the opening 2 mins. Fortunately for us, Hibs were in an equally generous mood as they returned the compliment just a couple of mins later when a mis-hit cross from Lego appeared to be sailing comfortably into the keepers arms only for it to end up in the back of the net. 1-1 and barely 5 mins on the clock. In this time Ethan had also hit the underside of the crossbar with an excellent left foot volley. It seemed like more goals were in the offing and so it proved. Hibs re-took the lead with an excellent individual goal from their winger. From our point of view he evaded a couple of challenges a bit too easily, but fair play for a dangerous run in-field and a crisp low drive which found the bottom corner. Again we hit back almost immediately, Ethan converting well from a rebound to level the game at 2-2. If someone had said that would be the end of the scoring until the final few minutes, I don’t think anyone would have believed it. This game looked destined to be a cricket score, but both sides improved considerably defensively and luck just seemed to eb against us. We dominated possession for the most part, but were unable to convert that possession into any further goals. Ethan and Duplo both striking the inside of the post summed up our afternoon as we desperately went in search of a winner. The game looked to be heading for a draw until Hibs came alive in the final few minutes. First an excellent counter attack brought a fine stop from POB, but almost immediately after we conceded a freekick out wide and some statuesque defending allowed Hibs to find a late winner. Congratulations to Hibs on a well fought victory. For 1TM Latini, we go again on Friday night against Casuals. Thanks to Hibs for the post-game invite to Muddy’s where we able to share a few beers together and watch Man Utd lose against West Ham, which seemed to cheer everyone up. Thanks to E’s dad and JK for coming down to support Mom Latini – Ethan Pizano Mom – Thorin Duffin Kit and Pump – JR Balls – Lozza