Match Review: Hotspurs FC vs 1TM Latini FC

• DF Oliver Harbord
• DF Oliver Roberts
• DF Zach Godfrey-Plews
• DF Aaron Jones
• MD Ali Roseburgh
• MD Tom Ruffles
• MD Kieran McLaughlin
• MD Ross Cumming
• MD Ross Lando
• ST Kazuki Sato-Brennan
• -- Muhammad Rhaga Al Misri

• MD Jack Klok
• -- Gael Guedia

Champions Just Too Good

Hotspurs took on Champions Latini looking to build on the opening day win over Vikings. A bright start to the game saw Hotspurs matching Latini in the first 20 mins, a well worked team goal which flowed up the pitch eventually saw the two Ross's combine with Lando firing inside the near post to send Hotspurs into the lead at the water break. Latini soon took more control of the game and pressed for an equaliser which eventually came followed by another in quick succession. On the stroke of half time, stand in Keeper Ali rushed out of goal with zero communication to Oli R in centre defence, the mix up allowed Sharples to tap over the line and Hotspurs were down 3-1 at HT. The second half followed a similar pattern, but Hotspurs got on the ball more and started playing some nice football. Special mention goes to our young debutants, Rhaga and Jack, who both put in good performances in midfield and were calm and controlled on the ball. Unfortunately Latini got a couple more goals and the score ended 5-1. Cheers to Latini for a match played in good spirit, without a doubt Latini will be the team to beat again this season. MOM Latini Sam Taylor. MOM Hotspurs Lando (a fine send off before his wedding)

• Pete O'Brien GK
• Jordan Laing DF
• Ben Tomlinson DF
• Fraser Anderson DF
• Jonathan Baker DF
• Jamie Roberts MD
• Samuel Taylor MD
• Mike Sharples ST
• Jacob Saurin ST
• Ben Marshall ST
• Yuto Nagai ST

• Taishi Fukuda DF
• Charlie Stark DF
• Daniel Klepsvik MD
• Pheonix Eyles MD
• Luke Townsend ST
• Terry Piper ST

WE'RE OFF

A 3pm kick off against a decent Hotspurs side is never an ideal fixture, especially when it’s a season opener. With Tactical Tally on a South East Asia recruitment drive, it was left to JR and POB to oversee the team in his absence. 1TM made a strong start keeping possession and creating some half chances, but it was Hotspurs who scored first with their first attack. A ball over the top exposed some rustiness in the 1TM defence and when the ball broke to the Hotspurs 11 he finished well at POB’s near post. A sloppy goal to concede and the skipper was disappointed. Into the water break and the message was to relax and continue to play our football. We had been in this position far too many times last season but we knew there was plenty of time and no need to panic. On 38 minutes the game was level after a decent free kick delivery from Dev was met by a good header from MOM Tinks and the 1TM goal account for the season was up and running. On 42, a ball to the back post eventually found its way to Duplo, who controlled well and kept his composure to cut back to Sharples who slotted home emphatically. The last action of the half involved a lofted ball over the top from JR, which caused some confusion between goalkeeper and last defender and Sharples took the gift to make it 3-1. HT 3-1 The second half began with the same intensity and 1TM continued to create chances. Ali, in goal for Hotspurs, was in inspired form and continued to repel our attacks with some fantastic saves. We finally managed to get a fourth thanks to Tinks winning the ball back high in midfield and slipping Flat White, who prodded home with a great finish. Our fifth came when Danube won the ball back and played in Flat White. The Pig worked his way through the Hotspurs defence and just managed to slot past Ali. The full time whistle came without any more incidents. FT 5-1 Thanks to the whole squad for kicking off with a win. Special thanks to Nedley and great to have him back in the fold for the season. Thanks to Hotspurs for a game and the match officials for managing the contest so well. MOM Hotspurs - Ali MOM 1TM - Tinks DOD 1TM - Sharples