Match Review: 1TM Latini FC vs Hibernians FC

• GK Pete O'Brien
• DF Andrew Mollitt
• DF Lee Bradshaw
• MD Jamie Townsend
• ST Luke Townsend
• -- Ben Morley
• -- Jonathan Talbot
• -- Mark Raven
• -- Matthew Pardo
• -- Darren Wareing
• -- Dominic Mooney

• DF Jonathan Baker
• -- John O'Neill
• -- Khaled Khyruddin
• -- Graham Bignell

RIP Jerome

Birthday boy Pet Shop took charge and we welcomed back first choice keeper “Titanium hand” POB who was back one month ahead of schedule, unbelievable recovery. Lego and Duplo were on the flanks with Nick Nack making his first start up front alongside Money. We celebrated the life of Jerome, a Latini player from the early years who sadly passed away recently with a minutes round of applause on the centre circle. Massive thanks to Hibs who joined the tribute and were impeccable, much respect to a very well run club! Latini started brightly and were feeling confident after two good performances previously, Money flashed wide went put through by JT and soon after Hibs own danger man Dan Martin flashed wide when in also in a good position. Hibs took the lead when their captain went unchallenged on the edge of the box and side footed in to the bottom corner giving POB no chance. Minutes before half time when we should have managed the game we got sucker punched on the counter attack, the other central midfielder finished equally as well in to the opposite corner when he ghosted to the edge of the box to finish a sweeping move. Half time Hibs 2-0. Khy replaced Nick Nack and moved to the left wing and Duplo was switched through the middle. The change had an immediate impact, Khy finished a team move after some surprising skill from Captain Eyebrows on the half way line. Now our tails were up we created five or six clear goal scoring chances to equalize in a 15 minute period. Duplo was thwarted by the keeper when clean through and the Cosmo’s record scorer Money missed three good chances to equalise, one save from the keeper with his face. On another day Money would easily have taken home the match ball, it was just one of those days. Our luck had definitely ran out when Big Ben was destined to score with his head from a corner but was denied by the faintest of touches and sliced his follow up shot from close range. In to the last five minutes and a bobbling ball caused hesitancy from Eyebrows who allowed Dan Martin in to dink a Zola-esque finish over POB to seal the victory, Hibs sole effort of the half, but the damage may have already been done with our earlier profligacy in front of goal. That’s three defeats on the bounce but there isn’t much wrong with our football, as Pet Shop put it we are the best team between the 18 yard lines but not so good in either penalty area at the moment. Another game we should have taken something from but that’s football. It was great to have POB back who was confident throughout and will be a big part of our turnaround in results. Congratulations to Hibs who dug deep in the second half to hang on for the victory and thanks again for your support for our late friend. Good luck for the rest of the season, I’m sure Clayton had a lie down after the match to get his blood pressure back to normal. Next game cup v Aioli, Wednesday 12th 9pm kick off (Centaurs) Kit & drinks: - JP

• Jamie Barnes DF
• Nick Edwards DF
• Andrew Knott MD
• Daniel Martin ST
• Adam Parker --
• Roger Milburn --
• Sebastien Homo --
• Chris Seaton --
• Neil Kee --
• Tom Hawker --
• Colin Gray --

• Andrew Talbot --
• Thomas Troussinho --
• Gary Corner --

A good first half

Apologies to Raver for ruining his birthday, but it’s been a while since we beat Latini and it was about time. Just a shame Tally wasn’t there to see it. The first half was the best we’ve played in absolutely ages. Nick and Andrew set the tone in midfield, pressing hard and winning their battles. Neil always looked a threat from the right wing. And the makeshift defence gave up very little. We had a few early sighters. Dan hit one past the post after Neil had teed him up. Neil then hit a long-range effort against the bar. Nick eventually put us ahead with a shot curled inside the post from the edge of the box. Latini had their own chances, the best was squirted across the face of goal just wide of the post. We never looked the team on top for the rest of the half though, and got our second just before the whistle. Andrew ignored Dan’s screams for a ball to be launched over the top and instead set off a more composed counter attack that after a few passes ended with him side footing into the bottom corner. I’m not sure what went wrong in the second half but there was a huge turnaround. Latini were suddenly the ones bringing all the pressure and they created so many chances they could have won the game comfortably. Tommy was in ridiculous form in goal – smothering one-on-ones, making silly point blank saves, wearing one in the face – and when he wasn’t there to stop it, the ball was pinging off defenders on the line. Latini managed to get one back through their pacey left winger, who was a big part of why Latini had got on the front foot, but in the end it started to feel like it wasn’t going to be their day. With just five minutes left some typical Talbot bashing about ended up in a ball bouncing through their defence to give Dan a one-on-one. He lifted it over the keeper, giving it just enough to stop Darren getting back to clear it off the line. It wasn’t the best second half, but we got the job done and we’re in danger of putting together a decent season. MoM for the Hibs was Tommy. For Latini, the left winger who scored and made such a difference.