Squad

Harpreet
Ryan (Scurr)
Pellow
Logie
Robertson
Wills (Ong)
Cowie
Butler
Abell (Chandler)
Mooney
Hobbins (Donovan)

Subs

Ong
Chandler
Donovan
Scurr

Another hot dry day for the cup game versus Hotspurs and Tampines.

The Casuals, slightly changed from last week had a decent squad for the encounter..  The game began and the Casuals were quickly into their running and enjoyed a very bright 20 mins, captalised by a run and cross from Greg turned in by Phil to take the lead.  Good work was undone by a giving away a cheap free kick and allowing Esad a free header to make it 1-1.  Casuals continue to make chances and a run by Mooney led to him being taken down by the keeper for a clear penalty, which Mooney converted for 2-1.  The Casuals created a number of other clear chances but did not convert, and paid the price when a regulation ball in the box was challenged by 2 players and the ref pointed to the spot.  Minimal contact and if that was a penalty there would be at least 15 per game.. 2-2 at the break.

Second half and was more even although the Casuals wasted a couple of chances and then had a mad 5 mins - poor defending twice led to Esad being free and squared to midfielders to score.  Then Lenny got himself in a tangle with the Hotspurs feisty fullback and was dismissed - probably another harsh decision. 

Casuals worked hard with 10 men, but was not to be and the holders were out of the cup.. A major disappointment for the Reds who were proud to win the Cup last year.  There are a lot of areas for improvement - fitness, crossing, finishing, tempo but the simple fact is that 2 goals is twice the number you can need to win a game and the Reds need to get back to being misery at the back.  This is a team that 2 seasons ago conceded just 9 goals all season.