DB45s 0 – 1 Sai Kung Beach Boys

Friday 15th February at Kowloon Tsai 2, KO 8 p.m.

Squad: Bradders, Dirk, Sean P, Steve, Gazz, Bazz, O’B, Martijn, Ariel, Fela, Kieran 44.86. Subs: Michel, Kieran C.

The 45s’ unbeaten run for the season came to an end against a decent (and in places “youthful”) Sai Kung side. The Manager set up the team somewhat ambitiously in a 4-3-3 formation in the hope that Kieran, Fela and Ariel would be able to keep Sai Kung pinned back in their own half. But it soon became apparent that this left gaps in midfield that SK were able to exploit. However we defended “cleanly” (Gazz’s favourite word) and, thanks to a couple of last ditch defensive tackles, kept the score to 0-0. We brought Kieran back to LM, which made us more solid but in turn we failed to create much going forward. HT came and we knew we were in a game. Second half was more of the same – Ariel had our best chance when he turned his man and shot from outside the area. However, SK took the lead with 15 minutes to go from a well struck shot from an angle after they found space in between Left CB and LB. We kept plugging away but could not complain about the result in view of our inability to create chances. In the end, it was a keenly contested game, against a feisty SK side and the difference between the teams was a couple of their younger midfielders.

MOM: pretty decent all round but a new award going to Bazz for “CTOD” (Cynical Tackle of the Day) – a nonchalant clip on the heels as their pacey midfielder accelerated past him. But well deserved for SK as they won the “foul” count by a considerable distance.