Match Review: Gaelic Lions FC vs 1TM Latini FC

• DF Rob Church
• MD Rich Sexton
• MD Stephen Swords
• -- Anders Jensen
• -- Simon Lloyd
• -- Conor King
• -- James Devane
• -- Ryan McEneaney
• -- Tadhg Lowe
• -- Matt McCole
• -- Scott Hooper

• DF Liam McGinley
• -- Darragh Frost
• -- Brett Bowman

What a game!

Well i have to say, this was one of the best games i've seen in the Cosmo League. The standard, both technically and physically was a credit to all 22 players on the pitch, as well as the substitutes. As is always the case, it was a high octane affair, but what really stood out was the quality of football being played by both teams. We took the game to Latini in the first 20 minutes, pressing well and could have gone one up after Matty McCole skinned the defender and his clip over the advancing goalkeeper hit the side netting. Had it gone in we may have settled into the game a bit better, however, our high pressing, was undone when a counter attack, beating the off-side trap resulted in Anders Jenson, playing his last game for the Lions before starting a new adventure in Dubai, clipping their forward and giving away a penalty. I of course, remonstrated with the officials, but to no avail. The spot kick was dispatched and we found ourselves 1-0 down against the run of play. We picked ourselves and went again and 5 minutes before the interval, Rich Sexton, after a great tackle from Churchy, saw the goalkeeper of his line and from the half way line, put it in the top right hand corner. Once again Rich was my man-of-the-match. He won everything in the air, won almost all the battles in midfield, has an eye for a pass and when in this type of form, there a few players in this league that can live with him. The second half started as the first had ended and i think the strength of both benches showed that the depth of the squad does not diminish the quality on the pitch. We handed debut's to Krish Sibal, our new and exciting goalkeeper who signed last week and Darragh Frost who will undoubtedly become an integral part of the squad. Both teams had the chance to score a second with Latini spurning a chance which was dragged wide and then Krish making an important save with his legs with 10 minutes to go. In last five minutes Brett Bowman, who came onto to replace Conor King had a looping header which hit the bar, as well as a goal disallowed for offside. To Anders, i wish you good luck for the next chapter of your life. You have been a great servant to the Gaelic Lions and you will be sorely missed. I would like to thank Latini, for being part of a great game of football. Neither team are likely to win the League this year, however, both teams will be pushing Rangers and SCC all the way to the end.

• Pete O'Brien GK
• Ben Tomlinson DF
• Thomas Sumantri DF
• Andrew Mollitt DF
• Ethan Pizano MD
• Jamie Roberts MD
• Jamie Townsend MD
• Luke Townsend ST
• Daniel Gregson --
• Lauritz Ritter --
• Mathieu Harding --

• Jonathan Lukito MD
• Tomoya Fujikawa --
• Takuro Isikura --
• Seung Ho ko --
• Yuji UENO --
• Mark Raven --

Friday Night Lights (FNL) threw up a tough away fixture in the heartlands of Singapore as we travelled out East to Tampines to take on Gaelic Lions in their own back yard at the intimidating UWC. What ensued was a great battle between two evenly matched teams desperate for the win. The match started at break-neck pace with both sides looking to counter quickly whenever possession was gained. A few half chances each, but defences looked largely on top until a quick break away saw Duplo dart into the box get his big toe to the ball before the on-rushing keeper brought him down, resulting in a penalty kick. Despite being assigned penalties before the game, Duplo clearly didn’t fancy it and asked E to take on the responsibility. The youngster clearly had no fear as he nonchalantly sent the keeper the wrong way and rolled the ball into the opposite corner for a 1-0 lead. The next 10 minutes saw a plethora of free-kicks as both sides battled for control, which at times seemed in short supply as the match threatened to descend into who can shout the loudest (Lloydy clearly winning that battle for Lions). As the first half looked to be drawing to a close, Lions equalised with a quite superb strike from Sexton. Following a crunching 50/50 in the middle of the pitch (and more shouting from Lloydy ) Sexton drilled the loose ball into the top corner from basically the half-way line. It was a great strike and to prove it was no fluke, he came agonisingly close to repeating the trick in the second half too! The second half was played at a similar pace but with spaces starting to open up there were a few more chances than the first. Not before some more controversy as the Lions commitment to winning the ball should have resulted in a red card for a nasty late/high tackle on the touchline. However the referee decided it warranted the same punishment as a couple of soft pushes and some shouting in the first half and awarded a yellow card only. The final 10 minutes was a great advert for the Cosmo. Both sides went all out in search of a winner, and both could have found it. First, Duplo was denied a superb solo goal from the keeper who saved well with his feet. On the corner of the box, Duplo produced a nut-meg and a body swerve to weave his way to goal, but was unable to find the finish his run deserved as the keeper produced a vital save. Then it was CFD’s turn to go agonisingly close for Latini. An excellent passage of play saw Lego square the ball across the edge of the box for CFD who had marauded forward from centre back! Unfortunately his shot across goal rolled just past the post and with it Latini’s chance of all 3 points had gone. There was still time however for Lions to nearly snatch the win, with 2 efforts on goal which required POB to intervene, the second an excellent diving save to deny Brett with an equally impressive header. In the end both sides had to settle for a point in a game neither side deserved to lose. Thanks to our hosts for a great game and for joining us for beers afterwards, and all the best for the remainder of the season. Thanks to Team Pizza, Mrs Pep, Cpt Eyebrows for coming down to support Kit: - CFD Balls: - Captain Eyebrows MOTM 1TM: - CFD MOTM GL: - Sexton