SCC always looks forward to this encounter as so many players in the squad have made the famous transition from club to club… Bowden, Rogers, Tan, Pugh and Atkinson! And we knew this game would be no different! A relatively underachieving Lions meant they had something to take from the season and an SCC scalp would have been ideal

The game was at a slightly later kick off which meant both teams had plenty of time to warm up and be ready to go from the first whistle… A nutmeg in front of their own fans in the first few minutes gave lions a brief moment of enjoyment, some felt it was a glimmer of hope and it definitely added fuel to the fire… however Lions needed more than jeers as repeatedly they were broken down on both wings by an energetic Daud and silky Sutton. Anderson and Bates were once again winning all battles in midfield and the defense was strong keeping Lions to only one real attempt in the first half.

The enjoyment of the nutmeg was only short lived and the fire quickly put out at the half way point when the glimmer shone from the boot of the nutmegee when he skipped past two Lions midfielders to curl top corner 20+ yard into the net! It left Lions speechless and 1-0 down.  Back end of the half saw SCC in full flow and the game was very much in control with more chances coming the way of the boys in yellow.

Second half started with many strong and passionate tackles, something we expected as this was the Lions only way of bringing the game back into their zone. This gritty type of game was something the gaffer was not keen to see but it did and in all fairness SCC stood up to the challenge and won most battles all over the park despite the Lions cheerleaders contesting every challenge! The second goal game shortly into the second half when the ball was sent into McCarvel on the half way line who laid it off to Rogers who sprayed a first time ball to half time substitute Hutcheon who in turn sent a whipped cross back into McCarvel who for the second time this season did the “bum shot” into the Lions net.. 2-0.

The remainder of the half saw SCC and Lions make subs to try and influence the game however in return the game got a tad more heated and no more goals were scored. Generally SCC had no major concerns in the later stages except for one instance when the Lions right winger made Starr earn his keep! Hutcheon had a great chance in the final ten which was denied also.

Overall a really enjoyable game to play in, a typical British type derby game with lots of passionate players wanting to make a mark, a game with many friends playing and supporting! Once again a great squad from SCC and for those that didn’t play the management can only apologise.

Finally, sorry to say that some decisions should have been managed better in the context of this game but I understand that when two teams such as Lions and SCC play, the officials must find it hard!