Reality bit for the high-flying Hotspurs on Saturday at Dempsey Field against the GAS.

Quite simply, we were outfought by a more determined, more committed and considerably more cohesive German side, that played to its strengths and exploited our weaknesses. This combination will usually be enough to win any game of football.

Despite going in to the break 2-0 down, Hotspurs still felt as though they could mount a comeback, duly changing formation to provide a greater attacking threat. A third goal conceded didn’t help matters, and a thoughtless, needless and frankly irresponsible sending off (after Hotspurs had pulled one back to make it 1-3) put paid to any hopes of even grabbing a point.

The bottom line is that the Hotspurs didn’t do the simple things well, and the Germans did. We gave possession away too easily, and the Germans were quick to turn that possession into goalscoring opportunities; we didn’t pass the ball well enough – contrasting with our opponents who seemed to be able to pick out team-mates with unerring accuracy; and we didn’t fight hard enough to make a significant impact in the game.

If Hotspurs had the better players on the field – possible, but arguable – the Germans were by far the better ‘team’, working hard for one another and proving themselves to be an outfit of greater potential than the sum of its parts.

Hotspurs can have no complaints with a score-line that may even have flattered us slightly. The Germans had a handful of clear-cut chances that they squandered, and we missed a fair few of our own.

Just a quick whinge about the referee who didn’t add nearly enough time at the end of the match – although it’s not even moot as to whether it would have made much of a difference.

There was a considerable amount of time wasting – but that’s to be expected in such a massive game….or is it? And 7 substitutions (at least) were made in the second half. Somehow, only 2 minutes were added after the 90, which seems strange.

Should I mention the number of injuries, and treatment given to players?

I do hope that the GAS' keeper has recovered from a nasty clash in the second half – because I think that everyone who witnessed the incident and his reaction to it, would have every right to believe that he should have been taken straight to hospital, possibly as a prelude to an emergency operation. It’s probably best not to mention it.

Otherwise the referee had a decent game – no mutterings from us about the red card; it was justified.

Congratulations to the GAS for a first class effort. You gave us a lesson in teamwork and positive attitude. We’ll try to give you a better run for your money when we cross swords again in the cup.