DBFC 3 – 1 Club Tropicana

4th May 2019 at Happy Valley Pitch 2 with a 3 pm KO

Squad: Jordon (Captain), Simon, Morse, Charlie, Ben, Sean, Danny H, Scotty, Josh, Ricky and Kafi. Subs: LT (half-time) and Gazza (unused)

Scorers: Kafi, Scotty and LT.

DBFC struggled to get a side out for this game, mainly because many were involved with other plans; a 3 pm kick-off interfered with work, other football games and possibly a loss of appetite seeing that we had already won the league. Nevertheless, we got 11 players together and Gazza as “an only to be used in a desperate situation” substitute. Jordon helped by playing goal keeper (he had a HKFA game later that evening) and regular keeper Ricky played up top. These two guys played very well in their reverse roles. Young lads Danny H, Charlie and Josh made it and it was nice to see “our Ben” back in his right back role. Simon Yuen stepped up to play an unfamiliar CB position and Sean played to add maturity to our midfield. Morse, Scotty and Kafi made up the 11 players and this became 12 just before half-time when LT showed up.

DBFC got off to a flying start with a goal from Kafi; after running along the tropics back line he stepped into a Scott Holmes defence splitting pass to take one touch and fire into the far corner of the Tropics goal. DBFC then started to lose a bit of shape and the midfield was lost to Tropics as they took the upper hand. Fortunately for DBFC, Tropics only converted one of many chances thanks to some great saves by Jordon. DBFC had a couple of decent chances; Kafi should of done better when put through and Danny H got through only to fire at the Tropics keeper’s (Stef Fuchs) outstretched legs when a subtle chip was the way to go (according to Gazza). However, DBFC were relieved to be 1-1 at half time.

DBFC started the second half a lot stronger with 3 in midfield and got through on goal a couple of times, early on, just to see the final pass fail. The nearest attempt came from Ricky when he got on the end of a great cross by Josh, only to see his half volley shot go just wide of the post. However, it was Tropics that soon found their stride and imposed themselves with most pressure and possession. Tropics had many chances that were spurned by either bad shots or inaccurate heading (mostly consequence of pressure from a hard working DBFC defence) and an inspired keeping performance by Jordon (man of all positions: a regular Captain Fantastic). DBFC held it together through 20 minutes of being on the back foot, by sticking to their passing football and in the last 15 minutes regained control. With 10 minutes left good control by Kafi on the left ended with him playing a pass through the Tropics defence for LT to collect on the by-line and turn back to the penalty spot where Scotty had checked his run to collect and  fire a low drive into the corner of the Tropics net to make it 2-1 for DBFC. The DBFC pressure continued and 5 minutes later a great passing move, involving 6 DBFC players started with Sean and Scotty on the right, back to Ben advancing from the half-way line and went over to the left for Kafi to play inside to Ricky who played back to LT, back to Ricky for LT to burst through the Tropics defence and collect the neat 1-2 and slot the ball home into the corner of the Tropics net to see the game finish 3-1.

8 of the squad made it back to the Pier Bar, with a visit by Rudi and a sneak pass by Alex hoping the boys wouldn’t see him.

MOM: Many played well and mention is made for a solid Charlie at left back and LT who came on at half time to instantly up the work rate. However, it was a toss-up between the men in the mirror; the Reverse Role Guys: Ricky and Jordon. The reporter’s vote goes to Jordon who pulled off some great saves; if only Ricky had scored J

DOD: This has to be Gazza who was sent to the changing rooms by the bosses (Morse and Scott) to kit up as the only sub and while he was there Kafi scored. Gazza came back to see Tropics dominating and then score a goal for him to believe Tropics were winning 1-0. He started shouting instructions and asking for DBFC to up the tempo and press for a goal (very animated in his usual style). The lads were a bit bewildered by this excitement and asked Gazza to calm down. He was over the moon to see what he thought was Scotty’s equaliser and LT’s winner, only to be told at the Pier Bar that Kafi had scored early on and it was 1-1 at half time. —– Dohhhhh