Match Review: Hotspurs FC vs Olympique Gaulois Singapore

• DF Barry McVeigh
• DF James Keane
• DF Charlie Moss
• DF Tom Hine
• MD Ali Roseburgh
• MD Lionel Kong
• ST Fu Cheng Wei
• ST Nick Kouvaritakis
• -- Chris Street
• -- Matt Young
• -- Matthew Shoult

• DF Igor Stojanac
• -- Adam McCarthy
• -- Richard Lenton

French toasted by in-form Spurs

An uncharacteristically cool Saturday afternoon at Turf City provided the perfect backdrop for British Hotspurs to continue their impressive resurgence, as they looked to make it 3 wins on the bounce. The opponents this time- the often-feared Olmpique Gaulois ("The French")- were expected to provide an even tougher test for Hotspurs than recent weeks, and they didn't disappoint. Despite passing and probing well in the early stages, they couldn't find a way through a steadfast Hotspurs defence- the in-form Matt Shoult commanding his area well, particularly from set pieces. As the game was cranking up a notch or two with a couple of very borderline challenges in the middle of the park (there's a reason the French have more yellow cards than any other side this season!), it was Hotspurs who broke the deadlock. The now-not-so-secret throw-in of Lionel Kong caused its usual havoc in the penalty area, and when the French defence failed to clear, Hotspurs striker Nick K was on hand on the edge of the box to curl a delightful left-footed shot into the top corner. Murmurs of 'Goal of the Season' (if it hadn't taken a deflection) were sounding around the squad after the game, while Nick K in his own words was "just delighted to score at least one goal before Christmas". The game continued as a tight affair - the French dominating possession for the most part, but Hotspurs well-organised and always looking dangerous going forward. Things continued to hot up, and a fracas off the ball between Hotspurs' defender Keane and the opposition winger left everybody wondering how the French player had managed to remain on the pitch (the officials deeming a yellow card to suffice). Much to the delight of the French, the equaliser came shortly afterwards- the dangerous Remy cutting in from the right onto his favoured left foot, before hitting a deflected shot just beyond the reach of Shoult in the Hotspurs goal. 1-1 at half-time. The second-half continued much like the first, but it didn't take long before Hotspurs broke the deadlock; he ref awarding a penalty for a blatant push on Charlie Moss (#assist) as he competed for a throw-in from the right. Step up the industrious Matt Young to convert from 12 yards- slotting the ball cooly beyond the keeper into the top corner to make it 2-1, accompanied by jeers from the sidelines from former club Rangers, who must now be wondering why they let the midfielder go. Hotspurs continued to defend well across the park, containing the French tiki-taka, and offering some great link-up play of their own - the lively Fu and Moss combining almost perfectly at one point for what would have been a beautiful goal. With everybody wondering which side would get the all-important next goal, it was the in-form Hotspurs who extended their lead. A swift counter-attack down the right allowed Hine to feed Nick K, whose shot/pass/slide found its way expertly to Matt Young to guide the ball first time past the French keeper. 2 for Young, and 3 for Hotspurs. The inevitable wave of French attacks was subsequently well-managed by a resolute Hotspurs, but the breakthrough did eventually come courtesy of a smart Remy shot from the edge of the area. At 3-2 with minutes to play, it was down to Hotspurs to weather the storm, and after what felt like an eternity (particularly to Richard "blow the blinking whistle referee" Lenton), the referee did indeed bring the game to a close, with Hotspurs victorious. As has been the theme in recent weeks, the Hotspurs substitutes who entered the fray throughout the game added the much-needed fight, resolve and cool heads for their side to see out the game as winners, with this season's new signing Macca particularly impressive in helping to shore things up, almost bagging a goal of his own in the process. 3 wins out of 3, and up to 10th in the League with games in hand - not a bad few weeks for BHFC! Man of the Match- The voting reflected some great showings all over the park, but Matt Young clinched it for an excellent performance and a brace to show for it. This week in numbers... 12- The number of French players fully kitted and warming up before any Hotspurs players had arrived at the pitch 14- The number of players in the Hotspurs matchday squad the French winger probably should have chosen to pick a fight with before James Keane 1- The number of goals scored by Nick K before Christmas...so far 9- The number of different Hotspurs goalscorers so far in the League this season, with 16 goals between them (Lionel 3, Fu 3, Ali 3, Matt 2, Nick K, Charlie, Tiny, Lawro, Keane)

• Christophe Aprile GK
• Oussama Labib DF
• Nordine Talhi DF
• Andy Dyne MD
• Francois Bazin MD
• Lionel Bastos --
• Maxime Galinier --
• Remi Tache --
• Samuel Heraud --
• Philippe Guerrand --
• Maxime Kleszcz --

• Philippe Briat --

A win in the lost

After a clean win against Gaelic, OG wented to keep the momentum and finish this first part of the season on a high note though Hotspurs had different idea in mind coming on the pithc motived and confident after 2 wins. We came earlt to try to prepare for the game but only had 12 players after too late drop out. Overall game was kinda fair but punctuated by hazardous decision that ultimately decided the outcome of the game. Game started well for us enjoying the possession of the ball and creating the first chances. Their keeper did well to prevent us from scoring the first goal. First we had a long range free kick saved by the keeper, Sam followed well but keeper did well to stand up and rush into Sam’s feet to close the angle and save the 2nd rebound, Remi was behind and his shoot was cleared by a defender 2m away from his line. Then we had another good chance from a header in second post from Sam. Slowly Hotpsrus started be threatening on set piece mostly and finally scored one when the ball was bouncing just outside the box where Nick was standing. He volley the ball that end up getting a small delfection, just enough to beat our keeper. 1-0 against the run of the play. Good thing is that we kept our heads up and get back to work. We kept the ball but found it hard to create another brace of chances having Hotspurs defending low and in block. Ultimately the goal came from a good move on the right that saw Francois finding Remi who went back onto his left foot and scored from long range after a small deflection. 1-1 which reflected the game better. The turning point came a few minutes later when a ball was crossed by Francois on the right wing, the defender got surprise and clearly stopped the ball with his hand, though the referee decided to give it a pass. 1-1HT 2nd half started the same way than it ended wit OG enjoying the possession o the ball but could not do the final pass, and after 5min the referee blow the whistle after a long from in in the box at the surprise of everyone. It took a few seconds for both team to realize it was penalty. Matt step in and fired the ball at the back of the net. Gaulois pushed for the next 15min opening space at the back which inevitably ended up in another goal. A sloppy shot from 20m that found Matt on the way who pushed it in 1 touch in the opposite direction. Just enough to better Chris in goal. We kept pushing but Hotpsurs defended with heart with sometimes 11 guys in box on offensive throw in for us. We got a consolation goal at the end but did not enough to go home with even a consolation point. A good game of football despite a lot of yelling. The story of our season so far. Playing some good football but at some point we lose concentration allow other team to take advantage of it. The win for us was definitely the attitude. We kept working as a team all game long despite having things not going our way and that is something that will make us stronger for the second part of the season. MOM OG: Remi for a brace of goal. MOM Hotspurs: Nick. Score a nice first goal and over managed to keep the ball high on the pitch allowing his team to have breather when needed. This week in numbers: 1 - the number of saves Chris had to do today apart from the 3 goals. 1 - the number of time we lost to hotspurs in the last 10 years 100 - the number of time a hotspurs player yelled at the ref