Match Review: Gaelic Lions FC vs 1TM Latini FC

• GK Shailer Thomas
• DF Hans Van Den Hoogen
• DF Josh Smith
• DF Liam McGinley
• MD Adam Smith
• MD Andy Dyne
• MD Petesy O'Brien
• MD Dom Marwood
• MD Matthew Gibbons
• ST Xavier Sproule
• ST Daiki Ishino

• DF Jake Smith
• MD Ilyasin Zayan

B*gger

Special report to follow, brought to you by Agent Smith (but which one?!?): A great game between two decent sides on a Friday night at SAS. The first half saw clear-cut chances for both sides few and far between. Sharples causing some problems down the left flank but the Gaelic back line stood strong and defended the box well. Xavier again leading the line extremely well and linking up with the midfield nicely on occasions to put the Latini defence under pressure. And this was a combination that led to the first goal of the game for the lions just before half time. Dom winning the ball in a dangerous area and playing a lovely weighted pass to Xavier who managed to get the ball out his feet and produce a clear, powerful strike into Latinis net. Great start and the boys felt positive going into half time. Second half, for at least the first 20, led to much of the same. Ilyas produce a lovely pass to Petesy who did well to beat the full back leaving him one on one with the keeper, with the keeper producing a quality save. The last twenty saw the Gaelic Lions growing tired, with several forced subs due to injuries. Those tired legs perhaps leading to a few irrational decisions, one of those leading to a penalty with ten to go . Penalty converted. 1-1. With pockets opening up all over the pitch, a goal from somewhere wasn’t off the cards. Unfortunately last night, it fell to the opposition, with an injury time cross meeting their strikers head, which ricocheted off the ground bouncing over the diving Shailer. A cruel end to a great game. We live and we learn and go again in a few weeks time. Thank you Latini as always for a great game of football and also to the officials.

• Pete O'Brien GK
• Jonathan Baker DF
• Ben Tomlinson DF
• Jonathan Cloak DF
• Jordan Laing DF
• Sam Balls MD
• Jamie Roberts MD
• Joshua Welch MD
• Luke Townsend ST
• Mike Sharples ST
• Jacob Saurin ST

• Brandon Monaghan DF
• Jamie Townsend MD
• Matthew Fowkes ST

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Match Day 15 saw us take on a strong Gaelic Lions side in another Friday Night Lights at SAS. Both teams played good football and battled for every ball in a game that could have gone either way. With Duplo, Flat White and Sharples interchanging well, 1TM felt they had started to create the better openings but it was Gaelic who scored first on 43 minutes when their midfielder managed to win a couple of tackles on the edge of the box and the ball broke kindly to their striker. He managed to round our last man and fire a powerful drive into the goal. HT 0-1 In the second half, we continued to probe but Gaelic were impressive with their work off the ball and they managed to repel our attacks every time. We needed something special to turn the tide and on 73 minutes Flat White turned well inside the box and was fouled as he surged towards the goal. Cue Sharples to dispatch a pressure penalty right in the corner to leave the ‘keeper with no chance. 1-1 It was set up for a frantic finish and was a great advert for the Cosmo league with both teams fighting for possession and pushing to win the game. With 2 minutes left to play, our midfield won the ball back from a Gaelic throw and played Sharples in. He beat his man and delivered a great final cross into the box. Flat White managed to get across his man and looped a header over the ‘keeper, into the goal and sparked jubilant scenes. FT 2-1 Thanks to Gaelic for a great game, the officials, Random and Crouchy for helping the squad out and Technic for supporting.