DB45s 3-0 USRC Vitesse

Friday 13 April 2018 at King’s Park, KO 7.30 p.m.

Squad: Gianluca, Dirk, Sean, Steve, Gazza, Barry, Chris O’B, Paul B, Moti, Kieran Mck, Andy C, Hymnsey, Oisin

Scorers: Kieran 2, Hymnsey

After a heavy loss against Dynamics, we were keen to get back to winning ways. Based on our last outing against USRC, we went with a squad of 13 so that we could maximize game time for everyone. The mindgames started at lunch time with an invitation by the USRC manager to bring a few younger players, a sure sign that USRC would be stronger this time around. We started with a flexible 4-3-3/ 4-5-1, with Moti, Kieran Mck and Andy C providing a triumvirate of pace up front. Early exchanges were fairly even but we enjoyed plenty of possession, controlled by Paul and O’B in CM, with “a quiet word” from them whenever anyone opted not to play a simple ball. After 10 minutes we went 1-0 up with a through ball by Barry into the path of Kieran who swept the ball in from the right side of the penalty area. USRC were making threats of their own with their regular Legal League Vets strikers Buckley and Turner looking dangerous. Gianluca kept us in the game with a save low to his right after Buckley was given too much time just outside the 6 yard box. We created a number of chances as the half went on but went into HT at 1-0. Things opened up in the 2nd half as USRC’s older players ran out of legs. But we had to wait until the final 20 minutes to make our superiority count. In a surprising tactical change, Oisin, fresh form a long haul flight from Europe, moved to LB and Moti, Kieran and Andy started to create chance after chance. Kieran put us 2-0 up with a straightforward finish from the edge of the area after their GK got in a tangle with his defenders. Soon after Moti was pulled down (going down in instalments) in the area but denied a penalty. However it was Pete Hymns, fresh but from “half a dozen sherbets” after a game of cricket who put the game to bed with a shot into an empty net after Andy’s effort had been blocked. A fine performance from the 45s. The USRC team gathered after the game for a cool down stretch on the pitch but DB opted for curry and liquid cryotherapy at the USRC clubhouse. Thank you again to USRC for their hospitality.

MOM: definitely a team effort, with all outfield players rotating seamlessly in a high quality performance.

DOD: Hymnsey for his pre-match preparations, Gazza for not realizing that his shots from 35 yards are not getting any closer.