Match Review: Singapore Football Club vs Hibernians FC

• GK Ronnie Smollett
• DF Collins Mbeutcha
• DF Jack Cullinane
• DF Jahan Rezai
• ST Liam Shotton
• -- Simon Lloyd
• -- Ivor Teagle
• -- Nico Anstee
• -- Ross Macklin
• -- Andrew Hutcheon
• -- Ross Plain

• MD Anthony Garreau
• -- Matt Hulen
• -- Matt McCole
• -- Rob Benson
• -- Gabriel Myong

No sparkles at GEMS

Going into this game Singapore Football Club was acutely aware of the threat Hibernians offered. Having already taken points off the defending Champions TGA Rangers, the Cosmo League rookies knew they had to bring their “A” game. Starting with a very strong line-up, and an equally impressive bench, the home side started the stronger of the two teams. Teenage sensations Ivor Teagle and Nico Anstee were at the heart of everything good for SFC. Despite close to 80% possession though, Singapore Football Club was unable to break through the massed ranks of green shirts, during the first half an hour of play. As the game played out Hibs’ keeper pulled off a flurry of good saves, as Liam Shotton started to find some space, from the three or four players keeping him company. Meanwhile, his fellow striker, Andrew Hutcheon, was also unlucky not to break the deadlock. The talismanic Scotsman finding the woodwork with a well-placed header. The scoreline remained 0-0 and the visitors' hard work and discipline in defence were both paying off. SFC continued to control the game, with the lions’ share of the game being played in Hibs’ defensive third but despite this, it was the visitors that scored first. Dan Martin, after some neat footwork, wriggled free from his man and crossed for the onrushing Hibs midfielder, who finished well from just inside the box. 1-0 Hibs. As the second half began SFC remained patient knowing their opposition would sit back. Ross Plain and Matt Hulen started to ask more questions with a wide range of passing yet still, the score remained 1-0. Eventually, the Sashmen got their goal. Liam Shotton, with six goals in his last two Cosmo games, found the net after a neat pass from their Captain, Jahan Rezai. SFC’s No.14 stroking the ball past the keeper from all of twenty-five yards out, to make it 1-1. Game on. Despite finally getting their goal SFC then failed to kick on. Instead, some sloppy passing started to creep in and despite the introduction of further attacking options from the bench, it was Ronnie Smollet at the back that was called into action. Fortunately for SFC, the man that was voted best keeper in the league last season, was at his best. The "Flying Scotsman" was quick to snuff out a late chance for Hibs and the game ended 1-1. A fair result, but also a disappointing one for SFC who had hoped to extend their lead, with three more points. They can offer no excuses, however, as a well organized Hibernians team came with a clear plan, and managed to execute it well. Congratulations to Hibs for a good battle and a solid afternoon's work. SFC’s Man of the Match goes to Ronnie Smollet, for staying alert when he was finally called into action.

• Jamie Barnes DF
• Joe Poulton DF
• Tiago Coelho MD
• Julio Vasquez MD
• Daniel Martin ST
• Andrew Knott --
• Marcus Went --
• An-Rui Chiew --
• Thorin Duffin --
• Ben Raper --
• Colin Gray --

• David Bolton ST
• Nick Law --
• Luke Liperis --

Fair Point

Hibs became the first team to take points off SFC this season earning a 1-1 draw at Gems. SFC had plenty of possession in the early stages as Hibs took some time to settle, but they defended well and were organised and disciplined as the home side moved the ball across the pitch. When Hibs got possession, Thorin was looking a threat down the right and Dan and An-Rui were causing some serious problems for the SFC back line. Julio had a strong appeal for a penalty dismissed when he burst into the box and was clumsily barged off the ball as he was about to pull the trigger. Col had a few stingers to deal with as Shotton switched flanks to find some space, but young Marcus dealt with him well on his first appearance of the season. A very quiet Hutch hit the bar with a looping header, but it was Hibs who took the lead. Raper, who must be the record holder for most drop-outs in a 24 hour period leading up to a game, started the move and Dan found space behind the full-back to get down the line and his square was cooly controlled and repositioned by An Rui and he found the corner of the net. The lead was almost doubled as Dan again got behind the full-back and his cross was headed against the bar by Thorin and the ball bounced down on the line and was cleared. Julio flashed a free-kick wide and Hibs went into the half a goal up. Hibs started the second half well and the midfield really took over the game. Thorin was getting joy down the flank and a succession of corners applied some pressure. Hibs were made to pay for letting Shotton have a sniff from a central position, 22 yards out and he drilled his shot into the corner to level the game. Hibs created more chances as Dan skewed a shot and Knotty burst forward from midfield but Ronnie just about won the race because Dan’s pass had a little much on it. Meanwhile, Raper was getting nowhere with his attempts to get the manager’s attention to get a breather and he went on to complete his first ever 90 minutes in 4 years in Singapore. Shotton smashed one against the bar and then Col had an “Oh shit!” (his words at the time) moment when he spilled a cross, but the big keeper recovered well enough and Jamie cleared. SFC had one more chance from a free-kick, but it was Hibs who had the last good opportunity when Nick, on debut, got one-on-one with Ronnie but he couldn’t quite lift the ball over him. A fair result in the end and Hibs will take more confidence from this. Some excellent performances throughout the team and the lads ran themselves into the ground and were disappointed not to get the 3 points. Ronnie gets the MoM for SFC for two important pieces of keeping.