Match Review: Gaelic Lions FC vs Hotspurs FC

• GK Shailer Thomas
• DF Wilfried Lapierre
• DF Hans Van Den Hoogen
• MD Chris Leighton
• MD Adam Smith
• MD Dom Marwood
• MD Andy Dyne
• ST Niall Whelan
• ST Daire Flanagan
• ST Xavier Sproule
• -- Allan O'Donahue

• ST Sean Flanagan
• -- Geraint Passmore
• -- Tim Lahiff

In the nick of time

First time to meet Ali and his Hotspurs side and first goal conceded this season. Have to concede at some stage I guess and a really well worked goal from Hotspurs. Great work down the right, cross whipped in and a really well taken headed finish leaving Shailer no chance and the Lions where behind for the first time this season. Good response from the Lions but whilst creating a few chances nothing clear cut. Second half the lions looked a lot sharper and where starting to create some real chances. Finding a bit more width and driving through midfield. The equalizer finally came when Al D standing in at center half, pinged a pin point pass out wide, Xave ran on to it , whipped in a lovely cross, the keeper could only parry and fell invitingly to Chris Leighton who outside the boot lashed home and the lions where level. The lions had their tails up now and sniffed out another great chance , Adam Smith driving forward and what looked like a clear pen wasn't given. The Lions got to the final water break feeling a little aggrieved but fired up. The breakthrough then came ironically from the spot. Xave taken down and well taken pen from Niall. Thought Lions would see it out from here but we do like a little drama and a few minutes later Hotspurs where putting the ball on the spot. Shailer made the save , the rebound was missed and that was pretty much game over. Lions managed two more a great strike from Smithy on the edge of the box and another cool finish from Niall. MOM to Niall for his two strikes and playing in the lone striker role for us is a serious shift. The main man held up play and looked dangerous all game. Shailer looked commanding all day and cherry on top was the Pen save. Smithy and Dom put in shifts at Centre half and Centre mid and never missed a beat and another battling performance from the lions all over the park. MOM to Nick K of Hotspurs and thanks again to Ali and the Team for a great game of ball Thanks as always to the officials a few big moments and close decisions could have gone either way but over the course of the 90 another really well run game.

• Martyn U'ren GK
• Simon Hearn DF
• Tom Hine DF
• Craig Hotchkiss DF
• Oliver Roberts DF
• Kieran McLaughlin MD
• Craig Farnham MD
• Ng Zhiwei MD
• Addy Cutts ST
• Thomas Greene ST
• Nick Kouvaritakis ST

• Sanil Khatri DF
• Ali Roseburgh MD
• Asree Bin Khairil Anuar MD

Not Quite...

Congratulations to Gaelic Lions on a deserved victory. Although Hotspurs led 1-0 for most of the game through a really well-worked goal from returning veteran Tommy Greene (a very tidy assist from Addy Cutts too), we were under the cosh for the bulk of the match. Things might have been different had Hotspurs converted their penalty to make it 2-2, but as it was Gaelic ran out 4-1 winners with a flurry of late goals, with Hotspurs tiring and chasing the game. Week off next week for F1 and then a big couple of games coming up!