Nnamdi, Schmidt (Leci), Binns, Street, Shaw (McLaren), Childs (Loney), Townsend, Pinz, Bennett, Naidu, Sejdic.

This game was considerably closer than the score line would suggest, and our thanks go to an Ubin side that played their part in the proceedings.

Apart from a period at the start of the second half, Hotspurs were relatively comfortable, and on occasions, put together some of the best football of the season.

A change of formation saw us attempt to dominate the midfield, and ‘feed the beast’ (Esad) up front, involving other players coming (eventually) from deeper positions. Despite the initial unfamiliarity, it worked well, and Hotspurs created plenty of chances in the first half.

We had to wait though until the half hour mark to break the deadlock – a fine sweeping move down the left – ended with Esad putting so much pressure on the Ubin defender that he had no choice other than to put it in the back of his own net. Sorry Esad; according to the referee, you cannot claim it…despite ‘the touch’.

Arguably the turning point of the match occurred within seconds of the restart, as Tony made a stunning save (pushing the ball on to his bar when he looked beaten all ends up…whatever that means) and we went down the other end and scored.

It could so easily have been 1-1; and yet, just 3 minutes before the break, it was 2-0 Hotspurs – Jamie’s strike took the proverbial ‘wicked deflection’, but he assures us that it was on target, and the Marines in attendance believed him. I mean...it's posible.

Ubin dominated the first 15-20 minutes of the second period, and Hotspurs were seriously on the back foot. But we defended resolutely; kept our focus; and continued to look dangerous on the break.

Anis eased Hotspurs’ nerves with a finish from 3 feet, but all the credit for the goal goes to Esad (enjoying yet another fine game, and constantly tormenting the Ubin defence). He weaved his magic in the penalty area – gave the ball away; reclaimed it; gave it away again; a couple of stepovers; mesmeric stuff – Anis finding himself unmarked at the far post to tuck away the simplest of chances.

Jamie bagged his second of the day (also set up by Esad) and Hotspurs’ 4th before the end, as Ubin pushed forward in search of a consolation goal, and left plenty of space at the back. No hint of a deflection in this one – Jamie smashed it home, with only the keeper to beat, having been given enough time to change his mind several times as to what he intended to do with it.

This would have been a good game to watch for the neutrals. Hotspurs have been working on passing and movement of late (no one observing our ‘warm ups’ would believe this) and it bore fruit on Saturday afternoon. There was fluidity and genuine coherence on occasions, and it was good to see.

Credit to the referee who handled the game well, despite some lusty challenges and some occasionally fruity barracking. One yellow card dispensed in the entire game is testament to the restraint he showed in what was a combative affair.

It’s difficult to choose between Esad and Jim for the Man of the Match, but Jim gets the nod for a magnificent display at left back – very little got past him, and his distribution was excellent. Esad got it last week anyway, and we don’t want anything to go to his head (he’d only put it over the bar…)

Kudos too to Tony who was a spectator for much of the game, but made some important saves when called upon, and was even heard barking instructions on occasions.

David and Chris were superb in the heart of the defence; Dan S ran his socks off, as indeed did his namesake Bennett in an all-action display; Jamie is fulfilling his role as the ‘holding’ midfielder as though he’s been playing there all his life; Anis and Flo were their usual industrious selves, and Phil (playing out of position – according to him) was very good down the right flank (and wherever else he seemed to pop up).

A good performance overall from Hotspurs, and some football that was very aesthetically pleasing. We have targeted winning all our remaining games this season, and this was a solid start.