Leci, Schmidt (Naidu), McVeigh, Street, Bennett, Townsend, Binns, Steinebrunner (Pinz), Poutakidis, Childs (Loney), Sejdic (Shaw).

Playing our second game in 4 days, and it being the second part in the end of season trilogy of matches (all of which Hotspurs had to win to have a chance of wresting 3^rd spot from Brewerkz) we were mildly relieved to be greeted by what appeared to be a somewhat depleted Hollandse side at SJI.

At kick-off time our opponents had only 9 kitted-up bodies, and we were informed that Hollandse would be represented by 3 generations of players, and were putting out a back 4 with a combined age of 250 years (at least I think it was a back 4….if it was a back 3, the average age would have been 80+).

In any event, Hotspurs had to politely decline the offer of taking the ‘walkover’ result and playing a friendly, simply because this match meant a great deal to us in the race for 3^rd, and we were fully aware that goal difference could play a significant part in the end of season reckoning.

Despite weakened opposition, the Hotspurs had to stick to an original game plan that saw us deploy a 3-4-3 formation and attack our opponents from the first (delayed) whistle.

The intent was there. The execution, as has been the case in more games this season than has been healthy, was decidedly not.

We created and spurned more chances than a first time tourist to Singapore on a night out at Orchard Towers – blazing shots over the bar (sic), overcomplicating issues in the final third (sic), and generally displaying wanton levels of profligacy - possibly even ending up (sick). 

Having said all that, we dominated possession and knew that the first goal had to come – we just didn’t expect to have to wait until the 20^th minute for it.

Patience has been a big thing for us this campaign, as well as a sense of belief that ultimately the tide would turn, and so it transpired.

I forget the exact order of events, but we were 5-0 up at the break – a minimum requirement bearing in mind that we had identified the need for a 10 goal swing on the goal difference front, with Brewerkz game against the GAS still in progress.

As things turned out, Brewerkz could only manage a 3-1 win, and we slammed in another 5 goals in the second half.

We had successfully turned around the 7 goal deficit on our rivals for 3^rd place in the league.

We could have scored plenty more, but enormous credit must go to Hollandse for never giving up; always trying to play good football; and applying themselves with honour and integrity to a thankless task.

Hollandse scored the goal of the game in the second half, as one of their young guns tormented an overstaffed Hotspurs defence (somehow retaining possession on the edge of the box for a seeming eternity) before producing a sublime chip that sailed over the keeper’s head and in off the underside of the bar (he says).

It was no more than the Dutch deserved for a Guilder effort (I know that doesn’t really work in these ‘Euro’ days, but you know what I mean….should have been sterling….get it?).

Sam scored 5 goals in various styles and of varying quality – his 4^th being the best, smashing home from 25 yards – but whichever way you look at it, it’s not a bad tally for a midfielder.

Anis’ constant running and ability to find space and the right run into the box saw him bag a stylish (apart from the last one) hat-trick, and Esad and Phil grabbed one each.

With no disrespect to Hollandse, the total could have been considerably higher but for some woeful finishing.