Match Review: German-Swiss All Stars vs Hotspurs FC

• GK Aravind Mohan
• DF Alex Baesel
• DF Cyrill Binder
• DF Andre Gaillard
• DF Marius Merkel
• DF Nik Wolthuis
• MD Hamza Ben Naceur Gharfane
• MD Philip Brenner
• ST Julian Sander
• ST Mark Addy
• ST Diyar Mailepessov

• DF Matthias Bertl
• DF Marius Teich

A slow start in the scorching heat

A 4 pm kick off is not ideal, particularly after a long break. It showed, as both teams started the game at GESS slowly. Hotspurs had the better of the first 15 minutes and put GSAS onto the backfoot. But against the run of play GSAS took the lead when Addy scored the opener. That gave GSAS a bit of a lift and the game was even, until Hotspurs equalized on 30 minutes when “their” Addy (Cutts) headed home from a corner. Where was the marking? But Hotspurs joy was short-lived: a beautiful build up ended with Alex laying up the ball perfectly for Addy to score his second of the game. And only 3 minutes later Addy (who else) completed his hattrick when he coolly slotted home after a defence-splitting ball through the middle. 3:1 at the break, but it was clear that the game was not over. Second half saw Hotspurs domination and they deservedly reduced the lead when Ali found the back of the net. At that stage, Hotspurs were the more likely team to score the next goal, which would be crucial. But with about 10 minutes to go, and by now both teams were running on empty, Marius chipped a ball into the box, where Madse (what the hell was the full-back doing in the Hotspurs box at that moment in the game?) got his head onto the ball, and it fell to Hamza who scored the 4th goal for GSAS. In the end, it was a game where Hotspurs probably thought they should have at least gotten a point. But for once GSAS (aka Addy) was quite clinical in front of goal. Thanks Hotspurs for a good game, and Alex++ for keeping everything under control. Man of the match: Mark Addy

• Fahmy Rahman GK
• Aaron Jones DF
• Oliver Roberts DF
• Simon Hearn DF
• Oliver Harbord DF
• Ali Roseburgh MD
• Kieran McLaughlin MD
• Lionel Kong MD
• Hugo Ritch MD
• Jack Skinner ST
• Addy Cutts ST

• Zach Godfrey-Plews DF
• Joshua Donavan MD
• Jacob Hiscock MD
• Nick Kouvaritakis ST
• Sam Russell-Vick ST

New Year Loss

Happy New Year!!! Hotspurs started the post Turf City era at GESS v GSAS, our debut at the venue. The sun even decided to finally come out just for kick off. Both sides started well and there were half chances for both sides. The first real opportunity passed Hotspurs by as we were denied what looked like a penalty as Jack went down in the box, unfortunately it was not given. GSAS then took advantage as Hotspurs failed to clear a free kick into the box and Mark Addy pounced on the loose ball. Hotspurs got back on level terms, Ali played the corner in and a towering header from Addy (Hotspurs Addy) made it 1-1. Then, something that has plagued Hotspurs in recent games, some lapses in concentration allowed GSAS to get to 2 quick goals (Mark Addy again and again). Therefore 3-1 down at HT. With a very strong bench we made some changes at HT with Jake and JD coming on. A great start to the 2nd half saw some good football and Ali got a goal back after a strong run into the box from Jack. With Nick K, Sam and Zach also coming on Hotspurs continued to dominate and have chances with an equaliser surely coming. Unfortunately, GSAS added another after a corner was not properly cleared putting them 4-2 up and killing the game off. Well played GSAS, a deserved victory. Hotpsurs now face Gaelic Lions on Friday night.